Teignmouth travelled to Honiton full of hope after their recent change in fortunes, but left with nothing to show for their efforts.

Once again, a slow start by the visitors was mainly responsible for their defeat, as they found themselves playing catch-up in the second half.

However, Teignmouth could have taken an early lead when the normally reliable Matt Moses missed a relatively easy penalty in the third minute.

Honiton took full advantage of this let-off shortly afterwards when full-back Rice sliced through Teignmouth's defence to open the scoring. Meadows converted for a 7-0 lead.

Teignmouth's pack struggled to impose any authority in the set-pieces, and soon found themselves further behind as a strong home scrum set up flanker Norman for a second try, which Meadows again converted.

Things got even worse for the away side when another scrum resulted in Rice crossing for his second try of the afternoon, giving the hosts a 19-nil at the interval.

As has happened so often this season, Teignmouth rallied strongly in the second half.

Their forwards finally started to get a grip on the game, and managed to move the ball out to their talented backs, with the result that winger Will Sowden and centre Sean Lovatt reduced the arrears with two tries in the corner.

Unfortunately this was all the visitors could manage.

Honiton's forwards again imposed themselves and they went in search of a fourth try which would have given them a bonus point, but Teignmouth's defence held firm, restricting their hosts to just another Meadows' penalty.

This will be seen as a missed opportunity by the Teigns, especially as they now face the might of runaway leaders Bideford in tomorrow's 3pm kick off at Bitton Park.

It is to be hoped that the pre-match vice-presidents' lunch will result in a larger than normal crowd to cheer on the home side.