Teignmouth came out on top in this relegation battle, but only just, as Chard battled hard from start to finish in a nail-biting encounter.

The talk in the clubhouse had been all about the Teigns’ three new signings – Faolan Lidstone, Matt Laventure and Zac Porter all went straight into Simon Morrell’s starting line-up after joining last Monday just before the transfer deadline.

And it was fly-half Lidstone who took the headlines with an assured exhibition of place-kicking, including a penalty on the brink of injury time which finally settled the result in his new team’s favour.

Teignmouth are not alone in bolstering their squad in an effort to stay in this league.

In their previous game they had faced a much-changed North Petherton side from the one they had beaten back in November, and rumour had it that Chard had signed a grand total of seven new players in the past month.

Nevertheless, there is still a solid core of local talent running through the side, all of whom are desperate for another season in South West One, and the whole team battled furiously for this win which gives them a good chance of doing just that.

The match started badly for the home side as the Somerset pack took control and George Dowse and Chad Northcott scored tries, both of which Jack Humphreys converted, in the first 15 minutes.

However, the home side took a deep breath and stormed back into the game before half-time with tries from long-standing squad members Pete Parsons, Will Sowden (two) and Luke Pattison. Lidstone’s three conversions gave the side a 26-14 lead.

Chard were a determined bunch however and little by little they inched their way back into the game off the back of their formidable pack.

First, Casey Watson touched down, then Humphreys knocked over a penalty, and with seven minutes left on the clock Mark Parsons went over to give them a one point lead.

There were plenty in the ground who felt the game was now up for the Teigns, but they drew on reserves of energy to dominate possession and territory and eventually Chard went offside within Lidstone’s kicking range and he did the necessary.

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