A tough and heartbreaking end to a promising performance on the road means that the relegation battle continues for at least another week and most probably two.

All other results went against us , and it is now important that we pick ourselves up and focus in on Lydney away next Saturday which is now an absolute must win game.

After 60 minutes of today's game we seemed to be coasting to victory but somehow contrived to lose the game by the finest of margins , and offer Newbury a lifeline in their own battle for survival. 13 points up, 15 or so minutes left, and plenty of drama followed.

An interception try for Newbury against the run of play, a couple of missed penalty opportunities by ourselves , and a breakaway try for Newbury put us under pressure. In the final five minutes we were held up over the line , had a good shout for a penalty try waved away, and then knocked on with the final play of the game, turning a very kick able penalty opportunity down in favour of a scrum. The players gave it their all, but too many errors closing out the game have been seriously damaging.

Henry Goldson, fresh from two weeks away overseas , topped up his tan and his try scoring exploits with two more for the season. Tom Whelan, fresh from his three weeks overseas and his engagement party, made some decent line breaks , one which led to a score. Sam Richardson , fresh from his overseas exploits and his engagement, carried well and made good inroads into the Newbury Defence. The reliable duo of Dave Bargent and James Harris were huge in the back row carrying and tackling everything that moved. Sam Fellows had perhaps his best game for the club at full back , and would be my choice for man of the match. Birthday Boy Tom Steer, who stepped in at late notice for the ill Mark Wathes, scored his first try for the 1st xv. Worryingly we lost Influential prop Nick Halse in the first half to injury , and lost Sam Richardson with a nasty looking knock to the knee.

A big training week ahead , with numbers back in the county and the country, it's now time to roll our sleeves up and go in search of a long overdue and much needed away victory. A win today would have sealed our place in the league, these are fine margins indeed.

On two final notes, big congratulations to the Nomads who wrapped up the Devon Merit Table league title today with victory over a Sidmouth 2nd xv. Tinners and his men will celebrate in style and look to sober up for next Saturdays re-arranged home game against Honiton. It has been a fine season for the Nomads , and Tinners and his team who have worked tirelessly to achieve the unthinkable in a league loaded with 2nd teams. A great achievement.

Finally, a big plea to get behind the Colts tomorrow in their Final against Exeter Youth, at Sandy Park , with a 1pm kick off. JJ has been a father figure to many of the team , having worked with them for the last number of years coming up through the youth system . For the Likes of Harry Ottaway, Ethan Langson-Justice, Matt Seager, Tom Cooke , Sam Fulthorpe, Joel Ranft, Joe Craven, Finn Urmston and Joe Oats , to name a few this will be the end of a 13 year journey together through the age groups , culminating in a Final at Sandy Park. What a way to end the 'youth' journey before officially graduating into the Seniors. Please support JJ, Ian, Grant and the lads as they look to sign off in style.

Regards

Jon
Sponsored by Radio Exe