Teignmouth’s recent run of points gathering came to an end on Saturday against league leaders Camborne, but they showed enough effort and enterprise to suggest that avoiding relegation, which seemed so unlikely at the end of October, is still a very real possibility, writes Paul Williams.

The home side took an early lead with a Dan Force penalty, but were unable to consolidate as they then missed a couple of glorious chances.

Camborne then showed that you can’t afford to be profligate against them this season by scoring three tries, two from exciting winger Graham Mankee and one from full-back Rhys Brownfied, and one Ben Stean conversion to lead 17-3 at the break.

However, Teignmouth refused to fold and the forwards kept up the pressure on the Camborne line. They thought they had some reward on the hour when Jason Luff touched down, but referee Richard Waller ruled out the score because he himself has obstructed the Cornish defence in the build-up.

Five minutes later Teignmouth finally got what their pressure deserved when youngster Sam Fellows touched down in clubhouse corner; sadly for the hosts it was to be his last involvement in the match as he injured his collarbone in the process.

Despite maintaining their territorial advantage, Teigns could make no further inroads into Camborne’s lead, and it just remained for the leaders to pick up a bonus point with a Neil Stanleick try which Stean duly converted.

Coach Simon Morrell professed himself proud of his team’s performance, saying that it gave him and them some heart for the really relevant battles against fellow relegation battlers over the next month.

Before that though, Teignmouth travel to mid-table Bideford for what represents the nearest thing to a local derby this season.

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