Services' struggles continue

DEVONPORT Services slipped to 33-24 defeat on the all-weather surface at Weston Hornets as their tough time in National Two West continued.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Services led briefly thanks to an early try from skipper Matt Gregory - the first of three he bagged in the game - and were just 21-19 down with an hour played.

Hornets added two more tries as the time ticked down and Gregory's final try came too late to affect the outcome.

Defeat means another week in the basement for Services, although they did gain a point on secondbottom Macclesfield, who were 29-19 losers away to Loughborough Students.

Kieran Leach, Services' team manager, said it was another example of the fine margins at work in National League rugby.

"We were definitely in it at half time with a dominant scrum and a low penalty count," said Leach.

"The emphasis at half time was keep the penalties down and don't give away an early try.

"Four minutes in we gave away a try in the corner to Hornets! "We got that try back, but they scored two more in five minutes, which killed us.

"In the last minute we did score a try for one bonus point, but missed the conversion that would have earned us a second.

"It was another of those days when if you make a mistake, you get punished." Gregory opened the Services' scoring with a try from a line-out on eight minutes.

Tries for Huw Morgan and Chris Francis, both converted by Charlie Carter, put Hornets 14-12 up at the break. Aiden Taylor got one back for Services. Richard Goldsby-West converted.