DEVON CUP QUARTER FINAL

Teignmouth RFC 27 Plymstock Oak 47

TEIGNMOUTH RFC were drawn against Plymstock Oaks in the first round of this year’s Devon Cup, reports Judi Hellier.

With their opposition in the Counties One Tribute Ale Western West, Teignmouth took the opportunity to rest some regular first team players and give the talent of the 2nd XV some game time.

The game started in a back-and-forth manner with Teignmouth gifting the Oaks a penalty, only for the visitors to miss touch with their kick.

That wasn’t the end of it though as Teigns conceded two more penalties and the second of those saw Oaks cross the line. Luckily for the hosts, they were offered a reprieve due to a forward pass.

As possession continued to go one way and then the other, Plymstock were over again and couldn’t be denied this time. They ran the length of the field and converted too for a 0-7 advantage.

Oaks displayed great handling across the pitch and were winning the lineouts. They continued their scoring run and over the next half an hour, took the score to 0-28 with three more converted tries.

However, Teigns weren’t about to give up and they did get themselves on the scoreboard before half-time when a lineout was won and flanker Jack Bowen, who was vice captain on the day, scored. The score at the break was 5-28.

16, Pete Bilham stole the ball from Oaks and a penalty was awarded to Teigns who kicked to touch. Teigns won the lineout and were pushing up when Oaks stole the ball, only for it to be quickly stolen back by Bilham yet again.

Boosted by their own supporters in home corner, Teignmouth found a way through the resolute Plymstock defence. George Franklin, the other flank, was on the board at Bitton now.

The resurgence continued from Teignmouth as they added the next points of the afternoon. An Oaks forward pass gave Teigns a scrum which they won and after showing great hands, captain Cam Johns cut the score to 15-28, another score for the forwards!

Things were looking better for Teigns when Oaks had their lineout was stolen by 17, Pete Parsons. The former then won on a lineout of their own and from a maul, drove their way over.

Franklin was accredited with this fourth try, his second of the afternoon, and Jack Mayne slotted the conversion to make it a six-point game.

Oaks hit back pretty quickly though and had a fifth converted try of the game, their kicking from the tee providing breathing room throughout the fixture.

Pete Bilham swiftly stole the ball from kick-off and grand was made by the hosts. A penalty in home corner ended with Jack Bowen notching his second try of the day but with Mayne’s conversion attempt missing, Teigns were now outside of the seven-point buffer zone.

In spite of the second half comeback from Teignmouth, it wasn’t to be for them and they couldn’t catch the Oaks who had the last laugh, adding two tries at the end of the game for a 27-47 final score.

Teignmouth wish Plymstock Oaks well going forward in the Devon Cup and the man of the match for the home side was awarded to prop Tom Cope.

Photography by Chris Gray.