Paper form — so often misleading — pointed to an easy win for Newton on Saturday against Torquay Town: Newton certainly did win, but in a manner which will probably not be repeated again this season. This made Newton’s seventh win, the defeated clubs being Collegians, Devon Wanderers, Crediton, Taunton, Bridgwater Albion, Dartmouth, and Torquay Town. As there has only been one match lost —against Bristol — this points to a good record at the end of the season. The next two matches ought to be alright, but I doubt whether Newton will lower the colours of the Torquay Athletic on the 24th of this month. The Town team play a very different game and this with the state of the ground and the ball accounted for the comparatively uninteresting nature of the play on Saturday. • • • The one bright feature in an otherwise dull game was Pinsent’s dropped goal. It is a rare event for a back to score the winning point for his side or even to score at all; and Pinsent is to be congratulated on his clever feat. I wonder if this has ever been done for the Newton club before? I don’t remember a case. In addition to his goal, Pinsent’s general play was all that could be desired, and it is hoped that his abilities will be recognised by the county committee before the season ends. Elwell filled Wells’ place at half, J. Symons taking the vacancy at three-quarter. Symons was in the Newton team two or three seasons ago. Since then, he has been playing for Torquay Athletic, and has gained experience which has improved his style. Symons is now working at Newton and will be available when required. … The forwards were about equally matched. The Torquay pack frequently got the ball out on their side, but the back men gave a miserable exhibition, hardly seeming to know what to do when they had the ball in their possession. Bond was prominent on the Torquay side with some fine dribbles. Endacott played a grand game at back, stopping rushes fearlessly and, in fact, exhibiting the greatest pluck throughout. Towards the end of the game, he received a severe kick, but played on to the finish. Pook was the only one of the three-quarters who did anything worthy of notice, his long punts being of much service. Burke should have learnt a lesson by Saturday’s match, for it was he who sent the ball to Pinsent and gave the Newton back the opportunity of dropping a goal of which he availed himself. Greenfield was in possession of the hall and was stopped by Burke. In the scramble Greenfield lost the oval, and Burke, instead of attempting to pick up or dribble, gave a hard kick, allowing Pinsent a clear field and ample time to take a shot at goal. It is these hard kicks which often spoil an otherwise good dribble. … … also … … Newton v. Torquay Town: … The only point recorded was a goal for Newton, which was dropped by Pinsent from the centre. It was a very fine kick, even allowing for the aid of the wind. The teams were … … also … … Newton go to Paignton to-day with the following team.— W. H. Pinsent, back; V. S. Pictor, W. M. Greenfield, C. L. S. Elwell, and I. Pearse three-quarters; C. Wells and H. White halfbacks; F. J. Sellicks (captain), R. Dunn, A. H. M. Cox, G. Cowley, W. G. Elliott, W. Curtis, T. Burns and W. Baker forwards.
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