OPM 10 TEIGNMOUTH 39

Another week nearer the end of the season and Teignmouth remain six points clear at the top of the league, and, more importantly, have set up a 13 point gap over next week’s visitors, third-placed Tiverton.
Originally last weekend was planned as a blank one with no fixtures, so some OPM players booked a stag weekend for one of their number, leaving their side somewhat depleted when this match was re-scheduled because of Teignmouth’s Vase commitments in January.
Nevertheless, the Teigns had already enjoyed a comfortable victory over the Plymouth Old Boys’ side back in September, and this result could have been even more comfortable if the visitors had turned territorial advantage into points.
The first quarter of an hour was relatively even, but Teignmouth took the lead with new recruit Mike Saxton’s penalty. Saxton has played some First XV rugby for Newton Abbot at a much higher level, and he soon slotted comfortably into the side, filling in for the unavailable Dan Force at full-back.
The lead was short-lived however, as shortly afterwards Gavin Rea achieved a huge drop goal to tie the scores.
But Teignmouth had been starting to exert their supremacy, and in the last few minutes of the first half good work from the forwards set up two tries, the first for Will Sowden and the second for Luke Pattison.
Having conceded so close to half time, the wind disappeared from the home side’s sails as the second period began, and Teignmouth continued to attack them relentlessly. Saxton slotted another penalty before a golden ten minutes in which Sowden, skipper Colin Ashworth and Saxton scored the tries which ensured yet another bonus point victory for the away side.
OPM managed a consolation try through Ed Steven with the last play of the match and Rea duly converted to make the final score 39-10 to the Teigns.
Saxton’s try, four conversions and two penalties showed what a valuable acquisition he is at this important stage in the season, and with Force available again next week the back line will be a unit strong enough to cause big problems for most teams in this league.
With six games remaining, the calculators are going to be much in evidence as supporters and team management try to work out if and when promotion has been assured mathematically. But just in case anyone at the club starts thinking that the job is already done, Tivvy lie in wait this Saturday, and would love nothing more than to put a spanner in the works, just as they did with St Ives two weeks ago. Kick off at Bitton Park is at 2.30pm.