A keen squad of 23 women turned out for Teignmouth Ladies’ first home fixture (game three) at Bitton Park on Sunday, against visitors St Austell Angels.

Exits and mauls were the focus and playing into the wind, receiving the kick-off in the first third, Teignmouth set to work in their usual physical manner.

However, surprised by an early Angels’ try and being under pressure meant the home side initially struggled to get out of their 22.

Teignmouth made good use of recent training to exercise their first target, ‘exit’ play, which proved a success and getting them out of their own 22.

The game became a midfield battle, with Teignmouth dominating the set-pieces despite the considerable size difference.

A well-worked maul, straight off the training ground, nailing another target, gained Teignmouth plenty of territory alongside good strong running by Chloe Sutcliffe, Lisa Noble, Val Marc and Emily Parr, while great covering tackles from Vicki Beaulah ensured St Austell only crossed the try line once in the second third.

The hosts asserted a bit more control during the third period, and with the wind at their backs and some great territorial kicking by Angelique Aldworth meant Sam Bircham-Webb’s lightning kick and chase went close to resulting in points on the board.

Although she was denied, another box was ticked in adding ammo to the team’s armoury.

St Austell did run in two more tries and could not be faulted for clean offloads from tackles and stretching Teignmouth’s defence.

The third section produced plenty more strong defensive play by Teignmouth, and the visitors were denied any more tries before play was halted due to a Teignmouth injury.

Coach Colin Aldworth reiterated the objectives of this fixture: ‘The score was always irrelevant. I asked the team to deliver two things, the maul and an exit. They nailed both and gave more!’

The team trains on Wednesdays from 6pm-7pm (girls aged up to 15), 7pm-8pm for 16-plus girls, and women’s 18-plus training is from 7.30pm-9pm.

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