HE MAY be the youngest member of Plymouth Albion’s squad, but 18-year-old Tom Putt is currently the club’s top points scorer.
The teenager from Kingsbridge kicked 13 points last weekend to help Albion to a 38-33 victory over Blaydon, which was the club’s first league away win in 19 months.
Putt, whose father Jason also played for Albion, appears to be growing in confidence with every game he plays and has now scored 30 points this term from five starts.
“It’s good to be starting,” said Putt, who was expecting to be playing for Newton Abbot this season.
“When I first came down here I didn’t think I would even make the team, to be honest, so I’m in a fortunate position.
“I feel like I am getting more ball in hand now, attacking more and playing more like I normally would.
“I am the youngest but you get picked in the team for a reason. Graham (Dawe) must back my ability and so every time I go out on the pitch I have to back my ability as well, as otherwise I won’t play very well.”
Putt, who only turned 18 in July, was pleased with his kicking display at Blaydon. He landed five out of five conversions and a penalty. His only miss on the day was a penalty from nearly the halfway line.
“I came as a goal-kicker but did not kick the first couple of games,” said Putt. “Then I got handed it and I tried to take my chance, but missed a couple, however, I think last weekend I put my hand up again.”
He might have successfully kicked all the conversions, including three from the touchline, but he was not totally satisfied as he missed that one penalty from nearly 50-metres out.
“I missed one so I wasn’t 100 per cent, so was not happy about that,” he said.
But Putt, who played his first full 80 minutes for Albion at Blaydon, was happy with the win in the North East.
“We lost to Coventry away and lost at home to Esher so Saturday was a big one for us,” he said. “It could be the turning point of our season.
“It was a hard last 20 as they really came at us with everything they had, but we stuck at it and ground out a win.”
Albion will be hoping to add to that victory this weekend when they entertain Cinderford at Brickfields (2pm).