Newton Abbot All Whites made a belated but perfect start to 2016 by completing the double over demotion-troubled Old Patesians, writes Gordon?Hooper.

This game survived the rain thanks to a pitch switch to the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham, and Newton quickly settled into the arena to establish a 14-nil lead within half-an-hour.

Flanker Alex Smith, who went on to have a storming game, took advantage of ball against the head to score in the seventh-minute.

The second try was down to centre Kevin Dennis, who finished off a handling move. Both tries were converted by fly-half Rob Avery-Wright.

However, what should have been a healthy half-time lead was eroded in the minutes approaching the break when, against the general run of play, Old Pats got a try back through centre James Aherne.

His co-midfielder Ross Cooke, who had missed an earlier penalty, added the extras before landing a three-pointer with the last kick of the half to leave Old Pats only 14-10 adrift.

In the second period, Newton continued in the ascendancy but had to rely on Avery-Wright’s boot for further points. He missed a couple of kicks soon after the resumption – one hitting an upright – but went on to land three penalties in succession as the hosts came under increasing pressure. The only home response was a second Cooke penalty.

This win – only their fifth from 14 starts – was important for the All Whites as they endeavour to keep above the relegation zone. Newton remain in tenth place but are now 11 points above Old Centralians and Old Patesians, who are in 12th and 13th respectively, each on 18 points, with Chippenham at the foot of the table on ten.

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