Teignmouth sit proudly at the top of the Tribute Cornwall and Devon League after a third successive bonus point victory. This win over Plymouth side OPM means that they are the only remaining side with maximum points, and the dream of promotion took another step nearer to becoming reality.
There was a pleasing symmetry to the game as both sides scored exactly half of their points in each half. But whereas OPM are still adjusting to the higher level in which they find themselves, and were probably quite happy to score a couple of converted tries, Teignmouth are a team hardened by three successive years in this league. Their ten tries were just reward for the dominance they showed both amongst the backs and up front.
It will come as no surprise to Teigns’ supporters that Will Sowden led the try scoring, crossing the OPM line on four occasions. He was ably assisted by his colleagues in the backs, as Will Luscombe, Byron Woods and Chris Sherlock all picked up tries of their own.
One of the reasons that Teignmouth are now a much harder nut to crack is that the pack have improved so much in the last two years. Proof of this came with tries from front-rowers Rob Viner and George Mowson, and also from skipper Colin Aldworth.
The management and players know that sterner tests await them in future weeks. But this perfect start to the season gives them good reason to believe that this could be their year.