NEWENT were left to rue missed opportunities as an inexperienced side fell to a 38-10 defeat at Weston-super-Mare in Regional 1 South West.

Seven members of Newent’s matchday squad were making their first team competitive debuts, but the visitors enjoyed long spells of possession and territory during an encouraging first-half display.

Weston struck inside two minutes through Huw Morgan, with Keanu Ballard converting, before Newent began to apply sustained pressure.

The visitors threatened the Weston line on several occasions but were unable to turn their opportunities into points, despite the hosts having Keanu Ballard and Blake Boyland yellow carded.

That proved costly when Weston produced a powerful driving maul late in the half, allowing Bradley Hebberd to touch down and give the hosts a 12-0 interval lead.

Newent finally got their reward early in the second half after another Weston yellow card. Will Hartland produced an excellent cross-field kick for Josh Lever, who finished well out wide to reduce the deficit to 12-5.

However, Weston quickly took control as Boyland crossed following another driving maul before Stuart Souch collected a cross-kick to score, with Ballard converting both tries.

Gary Carpenter then added another following a lineout before Newent’s Josh Hill was shown yellow for obstruction.

Weston capitalised through Tom Hatch, who peeled away from another maul to touch down and stretch the hosts’ advantage to 38-5.

Newent continued battling and were rewarded with the final score. A penalty was kicked into the corner before a well-worked driving maul allowed Hartland to claim the touchdown.

Head coach Sam Goatley praised his side’s seven debutants, particularly young half-backs Matt Boundy and Tom Cowan, while acknowledging Newent’s failure to convert first-half pressure had proved costly.

Newent’s Phoenix were also beaten on their return to the league pyramid, losing 42-7 at home to Old Cryptians in Counties 4 Gloucestershire North.