Newton Abbot All Whites did all they possibly could against third-placed Lydney in their bid to stave off relegation.

Admittedly, it took until the last minute to secure the four-try bonus point in a game where Newton should have been over the horizon a lot sooner but, in their situation, they won’t mind how they picked up the maximum available.

Lydney arrived with hopes of making up ground on the leading Devon pair, Exmouth and Barnstaple, but rarely got a look-in against a lively home side.

Newton were on top at both lineout and set scrum time and looked to get on the front foot at every opportunity from anywhere on the pitch.

The All Whites made a perfect start; the visitors were caught offside under their own posts allowing Rob Avery-Wright to pop over the simplest of penalties.

Newton’s forwards then made early inroads before the ball went wide to winger Lewys Ryan who scored in clubhouse corner. Fly-half Avery-Wright converted from the touchline for a 10-nil lead after ten minutes.

Despite creating several opportunities it was another 20 minutes before the scoreboard moved again with Avery-Wright knocking over a second penalty.

The scoreline was 13-nil at half-time with many around the ground feeling that Newton should have been further ahead and being vulnerable to a Lydney fight-back.

The Forest of Dean side did respond, banking a try through number 8 Chris Rovery, who found his way through the Newton defence after his pack’s catch-and-drive attempt had been thwarted.

However, the Lydney comeback was short-lived as, immediately from the restart, after the missed conversion, Lydney gave away a penalty that Avery-Wright put over from 45 metres for a 16-5 lead.

This score settled Newton’s nerves and they went on to add three tries in the last quarter.

Lineout ball was pinched against the throw on half way and centre Kevin Dennis made a fabulous run down the middle before handing on to full-back Steve Ward, who scored at the corner flag.

Looking for vital tries, Avery-Wright opted for the corner from a penalty; Matt Templeman won the lineout which was driven until stopped. The ball was then moved along the line, with hooker Dean Avery scoring.

Newton’s task was made a little easier as Rovery was sin-binned for a no-arms tackle on Ward, but it took until the last play for the fourth try to come.

The home side patiently went through multiple phases before spinning the ball out to winger Jack Bond who scored at the corner flag to make the final score 31-5.

Although a more than welcome return to winning ways, the result did little to change Newton’s situation with more wins needed over the closing four matches in order to get out of the relegation zone.

Old Centralians’ 56-28 win at Old Patesians and Ivybridge’s 38-24 home win over Hornets kept them respectively seven and 13 points ahead of Newton, who only made up ground on Dings (eight points ahead) who lost 35-26 at Exmouth.

The All Whites continue their survival quest at Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Spartans, meanwhile, who are second in Devon Merit One, take on Devonport Services at Rackerhayes, kick-off 2.30pm.