Saints Trip up at Teignmouth

Report by Steve Murley
Photo of double try scorer Pete Rowe by Graham Walker

With 2nd placed Saints playing 5th placed Teignmouth this was always likely to be a titanic struggle between two good teams, each on a 5 game winning streak. So it proved, but it was Teignmouth who came out on top 24-20 with a converted try from the last move of the game in a pulsating encounter at their Bitton Park ground.

Saints received the kick off in the first half and immediately found themselves under pressure from an aggressive Teign defence turning the ball over and launching a series of drives close to the Saints line. A sharp, flat pass across the front of the Saints backs was repelled but in smart follow-up work the home sides 9, Stef Walker burrowed over leaving Lidstone to take the extras from in front of the posts. 2 mins Teign 7 – Saints 0

Saints enjoyed a short period of dominance but never really threatened the Teign line, with the home sides back row turning over ball or forcing penalties. It was from one of these that play was kicked to just outside the Saints 22. Teign secured decent ball and drove for the line. A posse of Teign players sheared off to the right but the ball remained on the left and Ben Alison got the scoring touch as the pack drove over, converted by Lidstone. 21mins Teign 14 – Saints 0

Saints shook their heads, re-grouped and began to make inroads into the Teign half. Strong running from Sam Parsons, Andy Inch and Kyle Marriott began to make dents. Too often, however, Saints were unable to build the momentum and possession that has served them so well this season. Dropped passes, turnovers and maybe overplaying in the wrong areas all helped ease the pressure at critical moments.
With the first half running out Teign broke away from their own half, desperate Saints defending conceded a penalty and Lidstone stepped up to claim another 3 points and take the half-time score to 35 mins Teign 17 – Saints 0

Saints began the second half determined to show their mettle, with James Tucker kicking well for position the pressure was ramping up on a Teign team still tackling magnificently and playing some great attacking rugby. The Saints were getting desperate for a score when after 21 minutes of the second half and from a lineout in the Teign 22, Saints managed to get their driving game operating and Pete Rowe sniffed out another try to get the Saints moving. Tucker hit the post with the conversion but the first comeback step had been taken 61 minutes Teign 17 – Saints 5
It was now the Saints turn to enjoy a spell of possession and after launching a series of drives at the Teign line the ball was spirited wide through several backs hands before winger Nottle crashed over in the corner. 66 mins Teign 17 – Saints 10

The pendulum seemed to have swung against Teign as they once again found themselves pinned back in their half from some astute tactical kicking and energetic chasing and tackling from Max Bullen and Cameron Taylor. Another lineout, a catch from Vian, the pack tight and low and once again Rowe emerged with the ball, his second try. Tucker stepped up and converted 72 minutes Teign 17 – Saints 17

In a ding-dong battle the Saints had clawed their way back into the game. With a final effort the backs broke away but were well tackled close to the Teign line. Saints re-cycled but the Teign defence held firm against several attacking waves. Sensible rugby saw Tucker drop back in the pocket and drop a goal to give Saints the lead for the first time in the 75th minute Teign 17 – Saints 20

If the previous 75 minutes had drama there was much more to come. Teignmouth kicked to Saints who retained the ball and looked to re-cycle through the phases and play out the last few minutes. The referee, who had a fine game, penalised them and Teign, from a position in front of the posts, shunned the kick which would have tied the game and kicked for the corner in pursuit of a winning try. Saints again turned over the ball and looked to retain but once again the referee penalised them for sealing the ball.

Teign continued their strategy and kicked once more for the corner. Teign looked to have overthrown but retained the ball and worked it back for left wing Helier to smash over in the corner. Lidstone added the extras and the referee blew for the end of the game with the score Teign 24 – Saints 20.

This was a frustrating game for the Saints, the 17 points they leaked in the first half were well deserved for a very good Teign as the Saints searched and struggled to find their form. In the second half they looked as if they had weathered the storm and began to play the rugby they wanted. Having got themselves back in the lead they were disappointed to let the it slip. That is something to be addressed in training.
In such an exciting game either side would have been worthy winners, Teignmouth thoroughly deserved the winning points with their aggressive defence, exciting attack and determination to go for the win in the dying seconds.

What’s Going On!:

1st February we welcome Tiverton to Tregorrick. It’s also the start of the 2020 Six Nations so we are showing Wales v Italy then Ireland v Scotland on the big screens. More details on what 6 nations games we are showing is HERE

8th February is our away trip to Wadebridge. In conjunction with the Par Inn we have a double decker to get as many supporters over the Wadebridge as possible...Details are HERE

17th-19th April 2020 is our ever expanding Ale, Cider and Gin Festival. Stacks of live rugby, food, live music and a superb selection of drinks to try.

Tuesday 28th April 2020 We host Cornwall v Devon at Tregorrrick Park in the Tamar Cup KO 7.45pm.

Saturday 16th May - Proposed date for Senior Players end of season dinner and awards. More details to follow soon!