TRIBUTE CORNWALL AND DEVON LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! Teignmouth 29 Hayle 0

Much credit needs to go to the two sides and the referee Mr Charlie Wakeham for getting the match played in what were atrocious conditions.

A large and noisy crowd turned up despite the dreadful weather, but there was some nervousness in the first quarter of the match as Hayle adapted better to the conditions, and spent long periods in the Teigns’ half. However, yet again the home defence laid their bodies on the line to keep their opponents at bay, and bit by bit the league leaders established more control.

Home nerves were showing on the pitch as well as in the stand, especially when prop Paul Scott broke free but then incredibly dropped the ball as he crossed the Hayle line. Fortunately for him, the ensuing scrum saw the Cornish defence fumble the ball and Jamie Rudkin was on hand to drop on it to score the opening try, which Dan Force converted.

From then on it was pretty much one-way traffic as the home pack started to gain control, so it was no surprise when Will Sowden went on one of his trademark runs, evading all efforts to tackle him, and touched down in the corner to give the Teigns a 12-0 half time lead.

With the wind at their backs Teignmouth found the going somewhat easier in the second half, although Hayle battled well and showed that they could well be a force to be reckoned with next year. However, the home side knew they’d need two more tries to win the title, and eventually the pressure told as first Force and then winger Chris Sherlock outpaced the tiring Cornish defence, with Sherlock celebrating the fourth try à la Chris Ashton.
With the bonus point in the bag the Teigns could have relaxed, but they went searching for more scores and once again Sherlock was able to show the visitors a clean pair of heels as he completed the scoring.

Rarely has such an atmosphere been created at Bitton Park, and rarely has a victory been celebrated so enthusiastically and for so long, with champagne corks popping on the pitch and in the dressing room, and large queues at the bar.

This Saturday sees Teignmouth wave farewell to the Cornwall and Devon League with a visit to Liskeard-Looe, kick-off 3pm.

Report: Paul Williams

More match photographs HERE