National 3 South West
Martin Nutt scored two tries on his return for Oxford Harlequins, but could not save them from a 24-17 defeat at Newton Abbot.
Nutt, who was back after his charity Everest base camp climb, helped Quins recover from 24-3 down and come close to completing a fine comeback.
On four minutes, Newton Abbot wing Thor Normann collected a long pass to score a try, which full back Dan Force converted.
Poor defence allowed scrum half Marc Dibble to shoot through a gap and touch down, Force converting for 14-0.
Quins scrum half Alasdair Maspero was yellow-carded in the 30th minute and they were punished further when centre Nick Holt scored try No 3.
Fly half Jeff Stewart kicked Quins’ first points with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors felt lock Brett Stroud’s try came from a double movement, but they trailed 24-3 after 57 minutes.
Nutt started the revival by collecting a loose pass and running in a try from his own ten-metre line, Stewart converting.
Quins’ No 8 Jason Welburn went close with a touchline run before the hosts had prop Danny Porte and wing Neil Johns sin-binned.
Stewart theatened with a long run, then Quins scored the try of the match on 76 minutes, with Nutt finishing off a nine-man passing move, which Stewart converted.
Some last-ditch home defence ensured Newton Abbot held on.
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