WITH it raining every day this year until now, Teignmouth RFC felt lucky at Bitton Park to be able to have a match going ahead, second-placed Tiverton as the visitors.

From the off, it became a kicking game with possession moving back and forth between the teams.

It was from a Tiverton kick-off that Teignmouth lost a lineout and surrendered the first seven points of the afternoon.

Teigns responded with a successful penalty kick from the boot of fly-half Luke Atkinson.

Set-pieces continued to play an important part in the game, Teignmouth losing a scrum and Tiverton crossing for a second time as a result. This was quickly followed by a third try, 3-19.

Teignmouth’s pressure eventually paid off though with 13 Alex Ford crossing for their first try of the day.

The penalty count was mounting on both sides with a yellow card going the way of the visitors.

This was pounced upon by Teigns with Mat Dowrick scoring to take advantage of the extra man before the break. Atkinson converted to send the sides into half-time at 15-19.

When back to their full compliment, Tiverton kept driving forward only for Teigns to limit them to just the one second-half try. This was still enough for them to return home with the win under their belt though, finishing 15-26.

George Franklin, the Teignmouth captain, felt the match should be filed under ‘one that got away’.

“We felt like it was a game we could've and probably should have won,” said Franklin.

“We gifted Tiverton their tries. I thought we played very well at times, but our efforts were often undone by our own mistakes.

“The most disappointing thing at the moment is that we are not picking up any points, even when our performances are good.”

The Teigns have no game at first-team level this Saturday.