A remarkable turnaround in fortunes during the final quarter of this match left Teignmouth still needing another victory to ensure their survival in the Cornwall and Devon League.

But with only 20 minutes remaining they looked nailed on to get maximum points against a team who had beaten them heavily earlier in the season at Bitton Park.

Since the turn of the year a distinct pattern has been evident in Teignmouth's play; when they can get the ball to their backs, the unit is as talented and dangerous as any in the league. However, the forwards continually find themselves up against bigger packs and therefore the backs are starved of possession.

The first half-an-hour of the match saw the sides exchanging tries.

Winger Will Sowden opened the scoring, only for Gavin Best to nudge the home side ahead with a converted try.

Teignmouth went ahead again through centre Sean Lovett, a try which Matt Moses converted.

Crediton then used their weight advantage in the scrum to force their way over from five metres and so the scores were level.

At this stage the visitors took the game by the scruff of the neck.

With the forwards managing to win some ball, the backs looked likely to score every time they had it in hand.

Chris Tidman extended his impressive run of try scoring with another hat-trick and Sowden added a second of his own.

Teignmouth were 34-12 in front and had a bonus point in the bag.

But the hosts were not ready to throw in the towel.

Already in charge up front, they brought on fresher and bigger legs, and decided to keep the ball tight.

It worked a treat. The Teigns were unable to hold back the tide as Shapland (two), Nott, Pearce and Branton took advantage of a tiring visiting defence.

Fly half Tom Ronchetti kicked a further four conversions and a penalty as the home side first drew level and then pulled away.

And so an incredible comeback was complete.

In the final minute Teignmouth's misery was compounded when scrum half Stef Walker allowed his frustration to get the better of him, and earned himself a red card for dissent.

'Impressive back play, forwards under pressure, ill-discipline and a disappointing result; these are the recurrent themes of this season,' said a spokesman for the club.

'However, with a handful of matches left, there is still hope that relegation will be avoided.'

The past players' lunch prior to tomorrow's home fixture against Falmouth has been cancelled. However it is hoped that former players will still turn up and support the team. The game kicks off at 3pm.

l There is certain to be a good turnout of 'oldies' on Sunday at Bitton Park when Graham Pattison marks a major birthday by encouraging many of his former colleagues to don their kit for a run out.

Pattison has been a great servant to the sport and to Teignmouth RFC for more than 25 years.

Having been a key member of Teignmouth teams until his late 40s, he and his wife Bridget have coached and managed junior teams to great effect.