Lambert hatrick not enough to deny Chiefs

.Teignmouth U13s lined up against a Chiefs side containing some very big players, so it seemed that Teigns would have to use their running and handling skills to great effect if they were to have a chance of competing.

They began by doing exactly that, Jack Gibbon releasing Sam Harrion with a well worked switch in midfield. Harrion was caught short of the line but was able to offload to Noah Lambert who touched down under the posts. Within minutes Teigns found themselves further in front after Harrion ran a good support line to cross for a try of his own.

Exeter responded well, having worked out that their best chance of success lay in using their physical superiority and keeping the ball close to the pack, and some strong running from their forwards led to two tries.

Teignmouth scored next, after Lambert found himself in space and outpaced the covering defence to again score under the posts. However, Exeter again broke through Teignmouth's determined defence to go into half time only two points behind.

Samuel Rose got the second half off to a great start with an individual try that began with a dummy and was finished after he had sidestepped or outrun three other defenders.

The Teignmouth boys were working very hard to stop the runs of the significantly bigger Exeter players, and were also competing well in the rucks and scrums. Greg Clarke in particular was chopping down players more than twice his size, and Ewan Anthony was working typically hard at the breakdown. This pattern continued, and Teignmouth made effective use of some good ball to work Lambert over in the corner for his third try. However, the Chiefs again responded strongly and were only two points behind with 10 minutes left on the clock.

The physical nature of the contest was starting to take its toll on both sets of players, and there were stoppages firstly for attention to the Chiefs tight head after a scrum collapsed, then after Ewan Anthony was hurt at the bottom of a ruck.

Unfortunately for the Teigns, Exeter's Number Eight had enough energy in reserve to make good yards from the back of a ruck, and created the space for their backs to score under the posts, taking the Chiefs into the lead for the first time in the match. The result of the match was put beyond doubt after another powerful drive stretched the Teignmouth defence beyond breaking point.

The teams are due to meet again in a Cup match in a fortnight, and if that match is anything like as entertaining as this one, clear your diary to come and watch.