TEIGNMOUTH 17 PLYMOUTH BARBARIANS 18

Not so very long ago supporters and players of all team sports used to look forward to cup competitions with relish. It gave them a chance to forget about whatever pressures they were experiencing in the week-to-week league struggle; and often teams of a lower standing would be able to find an inspired performance from nowhere to overcome a giant. Sadly, it seems to be the way of the sporting world nowadays that knock-out games get in the way of more important business, and so it was that both sides arrived at Bitton Park last Saturday with less than full-strength line-ups.
Teignmouth, in particular, had their eyes on two upcoming away matches against Crediton and Hayle, and their first half performance showed that their minds were elsewhere, as they trailed 0-15 at the interval against a team they had comfortably defeated only a few weeks ago in the league.
The first period was extremely messy, as forwards from both sides had problems with ball retention, especially in the set-pieces. Line-outs were lost on a regular basis as throwers failed to find their intended targets, or else were penalised for crooked throw-ins, and neither scrum looked solid enough to provide secure ball to the backs. When the backs did get their hands on the ball, the accuracy of passing was well below-par, which led to a series of knock-ons and consequent exchange of possession.
However, the Barbarians looked to be much more “up for it” and managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Rhys Williams opened the scoring as early as the third minute with a penalty, and, as the visitors started to sense that an upset was on the cards, they added a try three minutes later as one of the few fluid passing movements of the half concluded with an excellent long pass to winger McGinley who had a easy run to the corner.
It was developing into an ill-tempered affair, and on the half hour Teigns’ lock Aaron Kelly received a yellow card for dissent. For a while this spurred the home side on and despite being a man down they looked the more likely to score for a while. However, when captain Colin Aldworth went down injured and play went on around him, the visitors took advantage of having two extra men to score through Ryan Dillon. Williams converted to give Plymouth a comfortable interval lead.
As has been the case so often this year so far, Teignmouth began the second half in much more positive fashion, and within three minutes the had reduced the arrears as Aldworth stormed over the line from five metres out taking several Barbarians’ defenders with him. Moses was unable to convert, but his afternoon was soon to get worse as he received the second yellow card of the game.
This time the lack of numbers had little effect, as Teignmouth had the wind in their sails at this stage. Several replacements for minor injuries had resulted in hooker Andy Webber moving out to the wing, and he popped up on the end of a good passing move to cross the line from close range. With Moses still off the pitch, Stef Walker stepped up to add the conversion, and the fightback was on.
One of the precaution which the home side had taken with the next two matches in mind was to pick Chris Tidman among the replacements. He had not been on the pitch for long when he had the opportunity to make a powerful run at the tiring Barbarians’ defence, and, as usual, he took his chance clinically. This time Walker was unable to add the conversion, which, with hindsight, turned out to be decisive. With two minutes of normal time remaining referee Stegall gave a controversial penalty against Tidman for a double movement, although the Teignmouth back appeared not to have been held in the tackle. From distance Hannaford easily converted the kick to give the visitors a one point advantage.
Despite Stegall adding some seven minutes of injury time, the Teigns never looked likely to get into a position to re-take the lead, and so Plymouth Barbarians earned themselves a game against higher league Torquay or Kingsbridge in the next round.
Teigns’ coach Simon Morrell said after the game that he was pleased with the team’s second half performance, and not unduly worried about being denied a cup run at the death, as the priority for this season has always been to challenge for promotion. The next few weeks will give a good indication of whether this is a realistic target.