Today’s match at Bitton was a tribute to Geoff Warne, former junior chairman and coach for both seniors and juniors at Teignmouth RFC as well as a teacher at Teignmouth Community School. He was also previously Club Captain at Crediton which bought about the memorial cup that is played for whenever the 2 teams meet.
Teigns quickly found themselves defending their try line in home corner but were awarded a penalty. Teigns had a lineout that wasn’t straight and Crediton won their scrum, however the ball was stolen back by Teigns with an advantage and kicked. When the ball went back to the advantage Teigns took the opportunity of posts, kicked by Luke Atkinson, 3-0.
Great run was seen by Jordan Hellier, who kicked over the top. Crediton kicked back so Teigns retained possession. Advantage again to Teigns for offside. This gave another chance for posts when back to advantage, kicked by Luke Atkinson, 6-0. This was repeated with an advantage for high tackle, kicked again by Luke Atkinson, 9-0.
Jason Jaervis put in an excellent tackle celebrated by the crowd. Crediton were pushing up in the 22 and gained a penalty for Teigns not releasing. Crediton won their lineout which was followed by a penalty and a scrum, which resulted in the first try of the day for Crediton, 9-5.
The game continued and yet again Crediton gave away a penalty, this time for deliberate knock-on, giving Luke Atkinson another chance at posts, 12-5. However, Crediton quickly came back with another unconverted try, taking the score to 12-10. Teigns won their scrum and the ball went out to the backs. A great interception was seen by Crediton who ran the pitch to score under the posts taking the score to 12-17.
Crediton scrum was won but the ball was stolen by Jordan Hellier with an advantage to Teigns. Pete Parsons gained the ball from the lineout and made great ground, out to Jordan Hellier, passed to Jason Jarvis, try, converted by Luke Atkinson, 19-17.
There was still time for one more converted try from Crediton before half time, 19-24.
With the cup to play for it was still anyone’s game and it recommenced with Teign’s penalty and kicking for posts again for Luke Atkinson, 22-24.
Teigns were defending their try line when the ball was stolen and kicked by Pete Bilham. Unfortunately, a penalty went to Crediton and Teigns were sent back 10. Crediton went for posts, 22-27.
There was still plenty of great game play and when Crediton won their scrum the ball was stolen and kicked by Jack Mayne (Geoff Warne’s stepson). Crediton had the opportunity to kick for posts again when they gained a penalty which took the score to 22-30 as the final score of the day.
The Geoff Warne Memorial Cup was presented to Crediton by Sam Simmons, former Exeter Chiefs, England and Lions players, and his brother Joe Simmons, former Exeter Chiefs player. Both grew up in Teignmouth, played at TRFC and were taught by Geoff Warne.
Player of the Match was awarded to Jai Simmons.