The fixture against Okehampton was postponed previously due to poor weather and as the game began there were less supporters than Teignmouth are used to for away games. Okehampton are 4th in the league so a tough game was expected and the team set a target of 4 tries regardless of what Okehampton scored.
Okehampton started the scoring when Teigns lost their own line-out and then Okehampton gained an advantage. They chose to kick for post, 3-0.
With Teigns now in possession Dan Allison made good ground, followed by brother Jake Allison with a great carry. Teigns gained an advantage and kicked for touch to have a line-out in Okehampton’s 22. This was won and a maul created the first try of the match for Dan Allison, 3-5.
Okehampton came back at Teigns and won their own line-out. This was quickly followed by a Teigns line-out in their own 22 which they won and kicked to touch. Two more Okehampton line-outs followed and then a scrum which created Okehampton’s first converted try of the match, 10-5.
Okehampton quickly gained possession and Teigns defended well. Okehampton gained a penalty on the half way line, they kicked but missed touch and Teigns kicked back. Okehampton were pushing up and during their next line-out Teigns stole the ball but knocked on. George Franklin put in a great tackle. An Okehampton line-out was won and they kicked but it went straight out so was bought back. Teigns won their next line-out and great team work followed to create a second try of the day from Dan Allison, converted by Jack Mayne. 10-12.
With Teigns in possession team captain Pete Parsons made a break through the middle. The ball was lost and kicked, then picked up by Mayne and Teign’s possession continued. A penalty went to Okehampton in the ruck and Okehampton kicked to touch. Teigns gained back possession and great handling was seen from the backs. Again Teigns gave away a penalty in the ruck and Okehampton kicked to touch. They lost their line-out and a fast ball was taken by Jordan Hellier. Possession went between the two teams. Okehampton lost the ball in a ruck due to great rucking from Duane Wilson. Okehampton gained a penalty and kicked for posts but missed, so score remained at 10-12.
Okehampton kicked for territory which was caught by Mayne, he handed off and then kicked back under pressure from Teign’s 22. Okehampton quickly gained ground and when it looked like they may score possession was gained by Hellier which went to Franklin, to Pete Bilham to take us out of the danger zone. Teign’s line-out in Okehampton’s 22 gave the opportunity for a third try of the day for Dan Allison, converted by Mayne. 10-19 for half time.
The second half started and Okehampton quickly gained a line-out which they lost. Teigns found themselves in Okehampton’s 22 and an advantage. Mayne kicked for posts to bring the score to 10-22.
With Okehampton in possession there was still everything to play for to reach Teign’s target of 4 tries and when they knocked on Jake Wright was quick to take possession and kick. Then began a string of penalties in Okehampton’s favour for Teigns being offside. Okehampton gained a line-out in Teign’s 22. They won the line-out but it was stolen by Wright who kicked again into Okehampton’s 22. Okehampton were in possession but a great steal from Hellier gained back possessions. Teigns were back in Okehampton’s 22 with an advantage which gave Teigns the fourth try of the match that they were looking for by Dan Hayward, converted by Mayne. 10-29.
With Okehampton back in possession Teigns gave away more penalties for offside. A yellow card was given to Teigns with little over 10 minutes left of the game. Being one player up gave Okehampton the chance they had been looking for and they bought the score to 15-29.
With Teigns back in possession and the game coming close to full time they showed great handling skills. But when they gave away a penalty which Okehampton took quickly they were not back 10 so Okehampton kicked to touch. They lost their line-out but quickly stole the ball back. A ‘scuffle’ broke out on the pitch and Teigns were sent back 10. Franklin showed great defensive skills by stopping a try right on the line. However Okehampton gained an advantage so took the opportunity to try a kick across the pitch to their wing, which paid off and created the last score of the day giving a final score of 20-29 and a great win for Teignmouth!
Player of Match was awarded to Dan Allison (sponsored by h&s surveyors). Coach Colin's comment: "Scored a hat trick, defended aggressively all day, carried extremely well in the loose, strong in his one man lifts at defensive lineout time in which we stole probably 5 or 6 of their lineouts and was a rock at scrum time."
⬛️⬜️?