Teignmouth’s rollercoaster season took another downward turn at the weekend with this defeat at fellow strugglers North Petherton.

While the previous week’s loss at Weston-super-Mare might have been expected, coach Simon Morrell – and most of the club’s fans – had this encounter down as a probable victory following the side’s fine form in December and January.

It’s true that the losing bonus point gained from this encounter still gives Teigns a reasonable chance of avoiding the drop, but they made life more difficult for themselves with this sub-standard performance.

Morrell knew the task was not going to be easy when he saw Pethy’s team list – since the first game between the sides back in November, which Teignmouth won 26-16, the Somerset side have been busy recruiting and have added some players with experience of higher levels to their squad, including Nic Sestaret who has played Premiership rugby with Exeter Chiefs.

However, Morrell also had a strong squad to call on, and so was disappointed that in the first quarter the hosts were far more motivated.

That is not to say that the Teigns didn’t turn up. The forwards had a splendid game, especially in the set-pieces where several scrums were won against the head, and the Parsons brothers ruled the lineout, as usual.

The large crowd, including a sizeable contingent from south Devon, sensed that Pethy were favourites when Teignmouth only led 3-nil at the break, thanks to a Dan Force penalty – despite having the benefit of the slope and a strong wind at their backs – and the first ten minutes of the second half confirmed this as Harry Roberts slotted an early penalty and then converted a Gavin Hancock try.

Within four minutes Teignmouth were level thanks to a Parsons inspired catch-and-drive from a lineout, with younger brother Pete touching down and Force converting.

But Pethy always looked dangerous with the ball and some sustained pressure resulted in scrum-half Jack Kohler tapping a five-metre penalty and scrambling over for a second home try, which Roberts again converted.

The last 20 minutes were a tense affair as Teignmouth tried, and failed, to find a way through Pethy’s excellent defence.

Tempers boiled over as both sides became confused by a succession of decisions, but one would have to say that, on balance, the home side deserved their victory, which takes them one point and one place above Teignmouth.

The first of the Chard games takes place on Saturday, March 5 at Bitton Park.

READ THE FULL STORY IN FRIDAY’S PAPER.

ORDER YOUR DIGITAL EDITION HERE http://bit.ly/1BbGeGc