At the weekend, the Winscombe 1st XV travelled to Devon and suffered a sobering defeat at the hands of Teignmouth RFC, moving down to third in Regional 2 Tribute South West by the end of the day, writes John Podpadec.
Winscombe started brightly and moved into an early lead after a typically powerful run down the right by winger Will Pearce, who scored the first try of the game beneath the posts, with centre Sam Dearsley converting.
Teignmouth were soon to respond, however, and following a neat 50-22 kick to touch, they spread the ball quickly to their right wing, who scored in the corner, an impressive conversion from the touchline levelling the scores.
A series of Winscombe infringements then allowed the home team to play for territory and to build a first-half lead.
Teignmouth firstly scored a well-worked try in the left corner before landing a long-range penalty kick.
Shortly before the break, some poor Winscombe tackling then allowed Teignmouth in for their third try, which gave the home team a commanding 20-7 lead at half-time.
At the start of the second period, Winscombe came out fighting, and a series of powerful drives, led by prop Simon Thompson, who was winning his 300th senior cap, set up fly-half Kieran Hill to cross beneath the posts for a converted try.
In a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining game, the lead was to change hands a further four times before the final whistle, firstly when Winscombe fullback Ru Schofield crossed for another converted try after some fine running and link play down the left flank, putting the visitors' noses ahead.
Winscombe’s single point lead was not to last long, however, when further indiscipline allowed Teignmouth to move steadily upfield and to regain the lead with a penalty kick following a high tackle.
As the match moved into its final quarter, there was still time for some twists and turns, the final outcome always in doubt.
Initially, a charge-down in midfield was neatly gathered and allowed Winscombe to spread the ball to the right wing and for Will Pearce to race in for his second try and the bonus point.
This was soon cancelled out when Teignmouth responded with their own try beneath the posts to level the scores, the conversion putting them back in front.
The final minutes of the game were played out on a knife-edge, with Winscombe pressing for a final and defining score.
But none was to come, and the match came to an end with Teignmouth kicking the ball dead for the win.
Winscombe entertain North Petherton at Longfield next weekend and will hope for a better outcome.
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