TEIGNMOUTH RFC Vets were edged out by Barnstaple Vets in the final of the Devon Wooden Spoons league on Saturday, May 16, reports Ivan Pitman.

This fiercely contested cup final delivered drama, physicality and quality rugby in what was a memorable encounter.

Played in front of a lively crowd, both sides showed from the opening whistle that this would be no exhibition match.

Teignmouth started brightly, controlling possession through strong carries and disciplined phases, while Barnstaple relied on quick ball movement and sharp attacking lines to test the defence.

Barnstaple scored in the first five minutes after a couple of penalties conceded in the Teigns 22 afforded the Tics some powerful carries at close range with Adam Lloyd scoring and Dave Slee slotting the conversion 7-0.

Barnstaple continued with the onslaught of possession and good counter attacks from some loose Teign kicks. Again, battering the Teigns defence within five metres of the line, Tics sought a cross-field kick option for Anthony May to score in the corner after 16 minutes but the conversion this time from Dave Slee unsuccessful 12-0.

Teignmouth regrouped, words were said and for the next 10 minutes, the Teigns started to test the big Barnstaple defence within some powerful carries and running rugby.

Some good rugby was being played but unforced errors knock-ons and silly penalties costing us not converting any pressure into points.

Teignmouth’s breakthrough came on the 25th minute where a powerful Teigns’ scrum pushed the ball out of the back of the tics side where scrum half Stefan Walker was able to poach Tics number eight Rob Parsons under his nose full tilt and Bosch a tics defender before putting winger Lewis Parkes in the corner. Unsuccessful conversion attempt from Ivan Pitman out wide, 12-5.

With both teams committing fully at the breakdown and in defence, the match developed into a hard-fought battle before the interval, taking a narrow lead into half-time, but Teignmouth remained firmly in contention.

The ball got rolling in the second half courtesy of Teignmouth and for the next 10 minutes, the excitable crowd saw another arm wrestle of both sides attacking and both sides defending trying to win every inch. It also saw a lot of scrums due to the earlier rain quite a few handling errors were starting to creep into the game alongside some tired bodies.

Both sides were also utilising the fact that wind had settled down a little bit so some good positional kicking saw quite a few lineouts.

Teignmouth struck back on 46 minutes with some good powerful carries within the Tics 22, testing a rigid defence.

Sucking them in enough to pass the ball out wide to the newly subbed on Henry Wilkins in the centre where he was able to step one and hand off another Tics defender to score in the corner. Another unsuccessful conversion attempt from Pitman out wide 12-10.

This arm wrestle of a match continued in the second half at a relentless pace where both teams had periods of possession and both teams throwing everything into stopping them with all they had. This constant barrage of intensity shown by both teams but Barnstaple’s efforts were rewarded with another try when Will Topps exploited a tired Teigns defence sneaking through a big hole beside the ruck to score under the posts. Dave Slee added the extras 19-10.

Teignmouth were now back under the cosh and to compound their misery, four minutes later, the Tics were awarded a penalty in front of the posts where Dave Slee added three more points.

Again, Teignmouth responded and with some more continued pressure in the tics half with some big carries knocking on the tics door scrum half Stefan Walker was able to sneak over for a try five minutes later. Unsuccessful conversion attempt by Jonny Emery, 22-15.

The last 5 minutes saw the momentum shift in Teignmouth favour, the Tics getting on the wrong side of the referee Andy Cole on numerous occasions allowing Teignmouth lots of opportunities to win some really good field position.

Teigns threw everything at the tics defence and despite the late pressure Barnstaple defended resolutely to protect their lead.

Teignmouth RFC can take great credit for their performance, matching Barnstaple physically and showing tremendous spirit throughout the contest. Their defensive commitment and attacking intent kept the final in the balance until the final whistle.