Teddington notch up a confidence boosting league win

Match report courtesy of the Old Mid-Whitgiftians pitchside match reporter:

In their last match Old Mids had gone down fighting to Old Tiffinians who have been disputing top spot with Eastleigh whom Mids have already defeated. They therefore were strong favourites to account for Teddington.

After a lively opening in which Mids threatened with two sallies deep into the opposition’s half Mids were shaken from their complacency when they were driven back on their own scrum and, though they won the ball, were turned over in the pressure. Teddington, showing greater spirit forced further errors and fly half Chris Dickson scored under the posts. Glenn Boyling converted for a 7-0 lead after 4 minutes.

The ensuing exchanges saw Mids commit a series of basic errors while Teddington kept up a more hungry approach. This told when Mids were penalised on 14 minutes for not releasing and Boyling made it 10-0. 3 minutes later the home side eventually registered when fly half Dan Wilkinson slotted a sound goal after Teddington were penalised for offside. A good surge involving prop Nathan Bacon and winger Rob Farmer promised another score but more simple mistakes saw the chance go. 0n 24 minutes the visitors kicked a penalty to the corner and from the drive skipper Stuart Ridler got the touchdown. A fine kick from Boyling increased the gap and Teddington had capitalised on their dominance. Wilkinson, who had very little chance to make the play as the visitors defence was up so quickly, reduced the deficit with another fine kick but after 33 minutes Teddington profited from another Mids howler when some confusion in defence dealt poorly with a kick ahead was fumbled and the ball fell kindly for winger Jules Richardson to score. Mids were now 22-6 down but to their credit they stormed back and good work by No.8 Joe Marchant and full back James Orchard ended with the latter forcing his way over for a try just on half time and a more respectable score line of 22-11.

Mids were transformed in the second half and dominated play for a full 10 minutes. They deserved much more than a single penalty goal from Wilkinson but did seem in charge. Unfortunately, a number of decisions went against them which they did not take well and Teddington were back in the game. The visitors were awarded two penalties from kickable positions but both were missed and though Mids lost lock Mark Handley to a yellow card, the Old Boys showed great spirit in defence. Hooker Adam Stammers won a good turnover and fine running, passing and quick recycling led to a storming try for Farmer in the corner. The 14 men continued to play well but a knock-on in midfield gave Teddington the opportunity to move the ball well from the scrum and they managed a try in the corner for a 27 – 19 lead with 10 minutes left. Back came Mids and fierce pressure yielded a chance for Bacon to drive for the line and touch down near the posts with 6 minutes remaining. However, he was adjudged to have held on after being tackled and the try was disallowed.

The hosts kept up the siege and on 37 minutes Mark Mackaskill picked up at the back of the scrum and from fully 30 metres sprinted past a number of tackles to force his way over for an excellent score. Wilkinson converted with a magnificent kick from far out and the scene was set for a grandstand finish. It was all Mids and when they were awarded a penalty in the last play of the game, Wilkinson had a difficult kick to win it. His effort fell short but on balance the result was a fair one as Teddington had shown the greater spirit over the 80 minutes.