Yes, another win has actually to be recorded. A sanguine friend tells me that Newton has “turned the corner” and that if the club does not win every match the sprinkling of wins in the future will be larger that it has been up to now … Newton placed a team of average strength on the field. Pinsent went back again; Whitmore stood out, Hobbs taking his place. A new three-quarter was tried in Frost. Pictor, though not in “good fettle” played during the first ten minutes, at the end of which he retired and W. G. Elliott, the old forward, filled his post. … … The College back, Gibbs. Was somewhat shaky, nevertheless did one of two good things, once bringing down Elliott capitally. Boyle ran clean through the Newton men, Pinsent barely getting him by the leg, a similar piece of play coming shortly after. Working back to the College line, Gibbs was collared before he could rely to a punt by Pictor, and after several scrums close to the College line, E. Elliott rolled over and scored the first try. The ball was taken out beyond the quarter flag, and Pinsent kicked short … … The prettiest piece of play for the afternoon was seen after the kick out, Donaldson with other College forwards dribbling nearly fifty yards, O’Neill came away from a scrum and nearly scored for the College, Pinsent bringing him down within a yard of the line. A fairly easy chance for a penalty goal for the College came to nought. A rush three parts the length of the field by the Newton forwards ended in the College saving. From some excellently judged short passing Boyle was enabled to clear the Newton three-quarters and getting on the left side of Pinsent he scored a try directly behind the posts, the simple kick however failing … … Pinsent was safe at back for Newton, tackling Boyle splendidly time after time. There is, I think, no doubt that Pinsent shapes better at back than at three-quarter, though it should be borne in mind that more experience is required for the latter position than is to be obtained from playing there once or twice. ….
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0897 Devonport: William Henry Pinsent: 1874 – 1949