Newton Abbot kept their battle to avoid the drop going by beating a lively Hornets side to close the gap on Old Centralians to three points.

The All Whites had to come from behind twice in order to beat their Somerset-based visitors 18-14 in a tense encounter.

Hornets led for the first time via a try in the eighth minute. Flanker Dexter Nettlewood exploited space around a ruck in Newton’s 22 and ran a direct and unchallenged line to score, with winger Jermaine Jones turning the touchdown into a seven-pointer.

The home side had to work hard to break down the Hornets’ defence and their cause was helped when the visitors were reduced to 14.

Flanker Chris Francis illegally disrupted a driving maul and from the ensuing lineout catch-and-drive, prop Lloyd Radford was credited with the touchdown.

Newton kept the pressure on with another driven maul; however Hornets halted this one and gained a penalty, but the referee saw fit to switch this decision in favour of the home side.

Rob Avery-Wright, who had levelled the scores by converting Radford’s try, knocked over the simplest of kicks for a 10-7 lead that endured until the break.

Hornets’ fly-half James Leatherby, who had a spell in the bin around the half-time break, returned to the fray in the 42nd minute and immediately set up a try for Jones – the number 14 coming off his wing to crash his way through the heart of Newton’s defence for a self-converted try.

It was then Newton’s turn to lose a player with full-back Josh Smith seeing yellow for a tip-tackle.

Once restored to full strength, Newton settled down and went on to victory. A patient multi-phase attack eventually created enough space on the right for centre Jake Monnington to score a try.

Fly-half Avery-Wright narrowly missed the difficult conversion but was soon on target with a penalty from a more favourable angle.

Hornets had one last go at Newton’s line but a clearing penalty kick put the hosts on the offensive which is where they stayed until the final whistle.

The All Whites’ efforts were enhanced when news came through that Old Centralians had lost 23-18 at Ivybridge and they’ll be hoping that Brixham can also help the cause when they visit the Gloucester-based side tomorrow.

Nothing will be taken for granted at already demoted Chippenham, but Newton are likely to win against a team who have had a torrid season and have known their fate for a while.

Everything still points to a season defining match at Rackerhayes on April 30 when Old Centralians are the visitors.