Being promoted to the Regional 2 Thames leagues means we get to reestablish some local derbies. Despite being only a few miles apart from each other, club historians from both sides were scratching their heads trying to remember the last time Teddington and Grasshoppers met in a competitive match – there may have been a cup match many years ago, but it’s believed that Saturday was the first league encounter between the two clubs. These days Grasshoppers boast some of the best rugby facilities around and with some glorious September weather this was all set up to be a cracker. Grasshoppers are a big physical side, and they took the game to the Antlers from the off. They were rewarded with a penalty to take a 3-0 lead, which Teddington returned in kind a few minutes later to bring the scores level. Grasshoppers continued to dominate possession and Teddington needed to be at their defensive best to repel their direct approach. Antlers struck first though, against the run of play, when Harry SMITH cut a superb inside line, before dancing through numerous defenders and offloading inside to Jack CAPON who scorched over for a tremendous try (pictured). Teddington then had the first of their two yellow cards of the afternoon, and Grasshoppers took advantage scoring a try to bring the score back to 8-10. Bob BEEVERS nudged another penalty over, but Grasshoppers scored again, making full use of their numerical advantage. All to play for though as the teams turned around with the hosts 15-13 to the good. It was Teddington’s turn to apply some territorial pressure after the break which resulted in a try for scrum half Will MAVIN, but this was a game where momentum was swinging one way then another and it wasn’t long before Grasshoppers scored their third try of the afternoon to lead 22-20. BEEVERS kicked another penalty to restore the visitors lead, but the hosts were in no mood to let this one get away as they again laid siege to Antler’s line, which was inevitably breached. With the conversion landed Grasshoppers took a 29-23 lead with the clock ticking down. One thing we’ve learnt from the last two seasons though is to never write the Antlers off, and it was Harry SMITH, who’d been a thorn in Grasshoppers side all afternoon, who broke through the first line of defence before showing a clear pair of heels to the covering tacklers to score on the right. BEEVERS, the coolest man on the park, stepped up to restore the Teddington lead and the narrowest of wins was on the cards. Not so though, Grasshoppers reset and came back again, they won a penalty 30 yards out which was calmy converted by their fly half. There was even time for a further 3 to be added on the full-time whistle. Not the result Teddington wanted, but a fantastic game of rugby. If that’s a taster for what’s to come this season, then Teddington supporters are in for a treat. Final Score Grasshoppers RFC 35 Teddington RFC 30. Man of the Match Harry SMITH.

The 2nd XV had their final warm up before league action starts next week with an impressive win against Hammersmith & Fulham. Under the guidance of new 2nd XV coach Josh PENBERTHEY, the team look in good shape for their trip to Reeds next weekend. There were trys for David BRADFORD, James TOOKE, Robbie HARTE, and Tom BOYNTON. Final Score Teddington 2nd XV 28 Hammersmith & Fulham 3rd XV 17. Man of the Match Henry HUGHES