Blues lose again

RUGBY: Devon visitors ran in seven tries as Blues suffer eighth league defeat of the season

NEWBURY BLUES' defensive frailties were again exposed as they crashed 44-15 at home to Newton Abbot on Saturday to make it eight straight defeats this season.

A third minute penalty from Oscar Matthews was as good as it got in the first half for the home side as the Devon side surged clear to lead 24-3 at the interval with two tries from number eight Ben Cole and others from Nic Holt and Dean Avery and two Josh Smith penalties.

A Smith penalty and a Sam Slingsby try stretched the gap after the re-start and although Myles Roberts Bailey struck twice for the home side in the space of eight minutes, Jake Monnington and Pete Mortimore took the visitors' try tally to seven to leave Blues 10 points away from a safety spot in Division Three South and West.