Wells 29 - 20 Teignmouth

After a disappointing opening weekend, Teignmouth travelled to deepest Somerset hoping to get off the mark, but came away empty handed yet again.

It must be difficult for those who are not rugby fans to understand how the Teigns, with three tries, managed to lose by nine points to a team which only scored two. The answer was simple – just as in the previous week’s match the Devonians gave away far too many penalties, and if they are going to make any progress at this level they are going to have to learn what is expected of them by the referees, and fast!

Teignmouth were quick out of the blocks and within 12 minutes were 12-3 up following tries from hooker Pete Parsons and centre Will Sowden, and a conversion from Sam Fellows. Wells’ points came from a penalty from Aaron Cook.

Cook landed another kick after 20 minutes, and then the home side took the lead with a well-worked try from Jake Smith. A third Cook penalty followed shortly afterwards, but the Teigns took a half-time lead when a great run from Jason Luff put Sowden in for his second try.

But that was as good as it was going to get for the visitors, as the mounting penalty count in the second half, plus a converted try from Jake Dampier saw Wells first take the lead, and then extend it. After receiving two yellow cards last week, the Teigns’ lack of discipline was highlighted yet again when Jack Darragh spent ten minutes in the sin bin.

Clearly Teignmouth will need to look very carefully at their disciplinary record; this league is going to be difficult enough without gifting points to the opposition and playing with 14 men. They will get the chance to do so this Saturday with a home match against Gloucestershire side Thornbury, kick-off 3pm.