Teignmouth 27 Saltash 8

Anyone arriving at Bitton Park early on Saturday morning would have dismissed the chances of any sort of sporting event taking place, apart, perhaps, from coarse fishing. But thanks to the efforts of several committee members, supporters and even players, almost all of the standing water was removed in time for the referee’s inspection and the stage was set for Teignmouth to re-claim top spot in the league.
Their opponents from just over the Tamar, lying third in the league at kick-off, had already made life awkward on two occasions this season before going down to narrow defeats; but it was not to be third time lucky for the visitors as the Teigns put in yet another powerful performance.
Saltash’s defence is one of their strong points, and for more than 20 minutes they held out against a succession of attacks; because of the conditions, especially a muddy, wet ball, the visitors were helped by inevitable handling errors just as Teignmouth threatened to break through.
However, the Cornishemen were also guilty of resorting to foul means to keep the Teigns at bay, and eventually Dan Force decided to kick for goal in the 22nd minute to give the home side a 3-0 lead.
You sensed that it was only a matter of time before that lead was extended, and sure enough four minutes later Jake Bury, only recently returned from a serious facial injury, popped up on the wing to score the first try in the corner.
To this point Saltash had never looked likely to get themselves on the scoreboard, and it needed a momentary lapse of discipline on the Teigns’ part to provide them with an opportunity to narrow the gap. Referee Steve Skeet awarded a penalty just inside Teignmouth’s half, and when the visitors attempted a tap kick a Teignmouth player was guilty of deliberately obstructing and the penalty was moved ten metres forward, well inside Max Venables’s range.
A half-time score of 8-3 probably flattered the visitors, but it was not long before the scoreboard showed a more realistic view of the proceedings. Dan Force’s kick-off went deep into Saltash territory and the Cornish backs made a real mess of clearing their lines, including knocking on behind their own goal line. While they waited for Mr Skeet to award a scrum, he and Jamie Gray played the advantage and within 10 seconds of coming on, the number 8 touched down the loose ball.
From that point you sensed Saltash’s resolve ebb away and within 5 minutes skipper Colin Aldworth had scored his 11th try of the season which Force duly converted.
Going in search of the all-important bonus point try, the Teigns started to abandon their game plan and throw the ball around a little carelessly, and Saltash took advantage of this to send fly-half Skinnard in for a consolation try.
A few choice words from coach Simon Morrell reminded the home side of their responsibilities, and, as usual, they finished the match by far the stronger. The forwards re-exerted their dominance, especially in the scrum, and with three minutes remaining they finally scored the fourth try with a second from Gray to which Force added his second conversion.
At the end of the game Morrell was once again fulsome in his praise of the team’s efforts. “We had a plan based on defence and discipline, and, apart from that period in the second half where we decided to try playing Sevens Rugby, we stuck to it. It has served us well all season, and now we want to push on and win this league.”
This was the first of three huge matches. The next league match, which would seem to represent a play off for the league title, is on the 9th February away to second placed St Ives. But this weekend sees a huge game at Bitton Park, as Gloucester side Drybrook are the visitors for the Final of the RFU South West Senior Vase, effectively a quarter final for the National Vase. So with both sides two steps from a big day out at Twickenham, the visitors are bound to bring some vocal support, so Teignmouth would appreciate a large crowd to cheer them on. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.