Teddington got back to winning ways on Saturday, securing a bonus point victory over Aylesbury in a game where they looked sharp in places, but could never shake off their opponents enough to make this a comfortable win. The Antlers welcomed back a few returning players for this with former skipper Jack MILLER coming back in at inside centre, Olly HOLLAND returning at lock, Stu RIDLER in at 8, and last years try machine Max AITKEN now recovered from injury lining up at full back. Aylesbury are another club we have never crossed paths with before, so an unfamiliar opponent, but a side who were in a similar position to Teddington before the game with an identical record of 1 win and 4 defeats to date this season. A bit early in the schedule to call this a relegation match-up, but both sides were obviously keen on getting some much needed points on the leaderboard. The Antlers made a bright start, and it wasn’t long before Harry SMITH, who is causing opposition defences all sorts of problems this season, broke through the visitors line to open the scoring. The lead didn’t last long though as recent bad habits resurfaced. Penalties were conceded, a yellow card reduced the hosts to 14, territory was lost and inevitably trys were conceded, with Aylesbury going into a 7-14 lead. Teddington’s talisman SMITH hit back though, with his second try of the half, before Freddie FOWLER finished down the left hand side after sustained Antlers pressure. Teddington went into the break 19-14 to the good with the benefit of the slope to come in the 2nd half. A penalty kick from Bob BEEVERS followed by the completion of SMITH’s hattrick seemed to have put the Antlers in a strong position at 29-14, but there was another strong response from the visitors. An impressive defensive effort from Teddington, kept Aylesbury at bay, as they were knocked backwards time and again, before eventually a clever grubber kick put the visitors full back through under the posts. Teddington then lost another player to the bin for the last 10 minutes, and Aylesbury needed no second invitation as they piled on more pressure and soon secured their bonus point courtesy of their fourth try. Nervy times with the score back to 29-24. The Antlers needed to hold on, but they did more than that as prop George BRADFORD, off the bench for this one, set off on a bulldozing run from 40 yards out, leaving tacklers in his wake before touching down for a memorable score. Teddington held on for a much needed win, and a boost before next weeks trip to in form Beaconsfield. Final Score Teddington RFC 36 Aylesbury RFC 24. Man of the Match Harry SMITH.

The 2nd XV took a strong squad over to play Battersea Ironsides on Saturday. Similar to the 1st team game there was some impressive rugby, but ill discipline meant Teddington could never put their opponents to the sword, which they threatened to do at times. However, there were trys for Will MARSON (2), Marcus SWEENEY, Josh PENBERTHY and Tom BOYNTON and the win was secured. After two weeks on the road the 2nd XV return to Bushy Park next week when they host Cobham, looking to build on an impressive start to the season. Final Score Battersea Ironsides 4th XV 22 Teddington 2nd XV 35. Man of the Match David BRADFORD.