Tom Putt dives over under the posts for his first try against Newton Abbot (picture by Mark Andrews)
TEENAGE utility back Tom Putt is hoping he has done enough to secure a permanent place in Plymouth Albion’s National One squad for the 2015/16 season.
The 18-year-old from Kingsbridge, who was in Exeter Chiefs’ Academy, has spent the summer training with Albion.
He made replacement appearances against Jersey and Bedford before producing an impressive display on his first start against Newton Abbot on Friday night at Brickfields.
Putt scored two tries against the Devon All Whites and had a hand in at least three more as Albion ran out 64-27 winners.
The youngster is currently registered with Newton Abbot and he will play for them if Albion do not need him.
“I am actually signed with Newton Abbot and not signed with Plymouth yet, but hopefully I will sign for Plymouth,” he said.
Tom Putt scores a second try against Newton Abbot (picture by Mark Andrews)
“I’m still on trial at the moment, but still enjoying myself.”
Putt admitted he certainly enjoyed Friday’s game against his ‘home’ club.
“It was just nice to get out there and get a full 80 and also nice to get a couple a tries,” he said.
“I had a half against Bedford and a bit of game time against Jersey, but to get a full 80 in front of a home crowd was good.”
He added: “When you get a game like that you just have to try to prove yourself.
“I just tried to impress as much as I could.
“There’s a league game next week so you have to put your hand up. Hopefully I will get selected for the next game.”
Putt can play 10, 12 or 15, but he knows there is a lot of competition for those shirts at Albion.
“There’s a lot of good players around – a lot of good 10s and full-backs, although there’s a couple been injured,” said Putt. “But Jake (Murphy) can play full-back and Billy Searle can as well, so we’ll just see how it goes.”
Putt constantly kept finding gaps in Newton Abbot’s defence.
“It’s just instinct,” he said. “If you see a gap you just have to go. You have to back yourself. There’s no point being 50-50 about a gap. You just have to stick your head down and go.”
Newton Abbot did ask questions of Albion and with 45 minutes gone they were only four points behind having pulled back from 24-3 down to make it 24-20.
“Their line-out function really well, their driving maul functioned really well and their backs looked sharp,” said Putt. “They were always going to come down and test us as they had nothing to lose.”
Tom Putt leaves three Newton Abbot players in his wake (picture by Mark Andrews)