Tops had 18 players and very little preparation but were optimistic about their chances, the first half saw Topsham competing hard at the scrum and breakdown and winning ball well.

The moves that saw them gaining ground into good attacking positions very often broke down because of small errors in the boys eagerness to secure points and the half ended as a competitive 0-0.

Tops were forced into changes early in the first half as in the backs Billy Holwill dislocated a shoulder and after an initial hard shift by Alex Manning, Charlie Goodfellow stepped seamlessly into the front row.

The second half started with Tops beginning to gain ascendency in the scrum and Newton Abbots forwards started to buckle under the pressure, the backs were beginning to get confident with the ball and moved the Newton defence around the pitch, further stretching the opposition and earning penalties which were secured by Gwyn Parks for 6 points.

Finally Tops scored the try they deserved after Alex Taylor secured a high ball from a kick and rampaged through the defence to offload inside to Finlay Marks storming through on a brilliant line to break the defence and supported by Oz Martin who took the pass inside the 22 to run in unchallenged to touch down close to the posts. Gwyn converts and the final score was 0-13 to Topsham.

Specific mention goes to Alex Manning putting in a solid shift in the front row, Fin Marks for his consistent questioning of Newtons defence and Alex Taylor for a dominant performance across the park.

The boys voted Riccardo Biggi our new Italian recruit as player of the match and his eye catching rucking and strong running with ball in hand bodes well for the future season.

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