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Teddington come back from the brink
Simon Davis12 Feb - 18:47
1st XV launch comeback at Marlow to secure a bonus point win
Another week, another rollercoaster of a game. This season is certainly not short of drama and that trend continued on Saturday as Teddington travelled to Marlow who sat one place above them in Regional 2 Thames. The game had been rearranged from November last year when the storm got the better of the fixture – on Saturday, the weather wasn’t a whole lot better, but it held up just enough for the match to go ahead. After an opening quarter where both teams fired some shots, Marlow took a stranglehold on the game scoring 2 quick trys trough their sharp back play. Their forwards then powered over for a third touchdown before they added a penalty kick to take a 22-0 lead which even before half time had a decidedly terminal look about it for the Antlers. However, this seemed to spur Teddington on as they started their spirited comeback. Harry SMITH cut through the Marlow defence with two well-executed tries before the break, to bring the score back to 22-14 at half time and the visitors were back in it.
Into the second half though and Marlow stretched their lead again, running back a Teddington penalty that didn’t find touch and scoring in the corner. Defiant Teddington were not lying down as their turned to their forward pack who secured good line out and scrum ball deep in the hosts territory. First it was Rory MERCER who drove over from close range and with 4 minutes left on the clock skipper Jack VALENTINE did the same to secure a precious try bonus point. Bob BEEVERS slotted the conversion as he had with all Teddington’s trys, and the Antlers were in front by a point. A nervy final few minutes ensued before Marlow eventually coughed up possession and the referee blew up for full time. Teddington had secured their victory in the unlikeliest of circumstances having trailed by some margin before the break, but their spirit must be commended in this one. It should stand them in good stead for the final 6 league games of the season, one of those being the home fixture against Marlow. Time will tell whether another nail biter is on the cards. Final Score Marlow RFC 27 Teddington RFC 28. Man of the Match Hal Dare.
Into the second half though and Marlow stretched their lead again, running back a Teddington penalty that didn’t find touch and scoring in the corner. Defiant Teddington were not lying down as their turned to their forward pack who secured good line out and scrum ball deep in the hosts territory. First it was Rory MERCER who drove over from close range and with 4 minutes left on the clock skipper Jack VALENTINE did the same to secure a precious try bonus point. Bob BEEVERS slotted the conversion as he had with all Teddington’s trys, and the Antlers were in front by a point. A nervy final few minutes ensued before Marlow eventually coughed up possession and the referee blew up for full time. Teddington had secured their victory in the unlikeliest of circumstances having trailed by some margin before the break, but their spirit must be commended in this one. It should stand them in good stead for the final 6 league games of the season, one of those being the home fixture against Marlow. Time will tell whether another nail biter is on the cards. Final Score Marlow RFC 27 Teddington RFC 28. Man of the Match Hal Dare.
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