WORCESTER Wanderers continued their rich vein of form as they claimed a 25-17 victory over Newton Abbot at Weston Field last Saturday.
Having picked up two wins from their last three National Three South West games, newly-promoted Wanderers were high in confidence and it took them just 12 minutes before they broke through Abbot’s resistance. Tom Dodge crashed over following good work from Chris Griffiths, who was a menace throughout.
The Devon side were quick to level things up as Brett Stroud darted over. And the lead changed hands three times before the interval as Jason Keenan’s try and John Smith’s conversion edged Abbot ahead at 12-10 four minutes after Worcester struck through Oliver Meadows.
But it was the hosts who had the advantage at half time as Matt Marskell slipped through a gap to score before Mike Dodge landed a penalty to secure a 18-12 lead.
Worcester then defended superbly after the break and as Abbot struggled to find a way through, the tide began to turn.
And on the hour mark the visitors suffered a significant blow when Matt Templeman was sin-binned as Worcester piled forward.
Abbot struggled to cope under the pressure which was being put on them and referee David Clarkson soon awarded a penalty try. Dodge duly dispatched it as Wanderers moved 25-12 in front with 15 minutes remaining.
The away side hit back almost immediately with a try from Eddie McGinley, but Worcester dug deep to see out time.
Wanderers will now be looking to put in another impressive display when they visit third placed Bracknell tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
Meanwhile, Malvern will be keen to kick start their season when they go up against Barkers Butts at Spring Lane tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
The Worcestershire outfit, whose last win came on the opening day of the Midlands One West campaign. currently find themselves in the relegation zone after they crashed to a 22-11 defeat at Walsall last Saturday.
