TEIGNMOUTH RFC opened their 2025-26 League campaign with a home fixture against North Petherton, who have previously proven to be difficult opponents.

A good crowd saw the Teigns start well and dominate the early exchanges.

After a period of prolonged pressure, loose head prop Dayne Layton scored from close range, with the try being converted by outside centre Jack Mayne, to give them a 7-0 lead.

Jack Bond was next to cross the white line and Mayne added the extras once again. North Petherton then closed the gap a little with a successful penalty, making it 14-3.

Number eight Jamie Gray picked up from the back of a scrum and headed over for the host’s third try, the conversion being missed for 19-3.

Their guests hit back once more and a pre-planned move from a scrum proved fruitful, resulting in their first try of the afternoon.

North Petherton failed to field a high ball though and Jack Bond pounced, kicking on and stretching the Teignmouth lead to 24-10 heading into the break.

The second half was a much tighter affair and as a result, Teignmouth took the option to kick for posts as the game approached the 60-minute mark. Mayne’s successful kick took Teigns beyond two scores, giving them more breathing room.

They weren’t done either, a neat cross-field kick from Rio Cooper setting up former Newton Abbot man Jack Bond for his hat-trick try. Mayne converted for 34-10.

North Petherton completed the scoring for the match with an unconverted try but it wasn’t enough to rescue them a losing bonus point.

Head coach Colin Stewart spoke of being “pleased with the result and the performance in general” after the game, adding that “there was a lot to take away from the game that the players will need to work on.”