TEIGNMOUTH RFC suffered the pain of a last-minute 26-19 defeat at North Petherton that left them hovering over the South West Two relegation danger zone.

There is just one point between Teignmouth and second-from-bottom Truro ahead of this Saturday’s round of fixtures.

The Teigns were 19-7 up at half time, but their lead was whittled away after the break as Petherton drew level on 19-all.

The Somerset side pinched victory with a try on the end of the final play of the game. The conversion was academic.

Pete Parsons, the Teignmouth captain, said there were signs of improvements after defeats by Topsham, Truro and Wadebridge. But the manner of this loss left a bitter taste.

“Overall it was a better performance from us, but it was heart-breaking to lose the way we did,” said Parsons.

“Our discipline was very poor, which is why we weren't ahead at the end.”

Charlie Muir bagged Teignmouth’s first try when he scooped up a tap-back from Jack Mayne in the final five and dived for the line. Mayne converted.

Petherton drew level with a converted try of their own while the Teigns had a player in the sin bin.

Pummelling pressure in the red zone by Teignmouth’s pack and backs led to scrum-half Dan Woolnough going over. Mayne added the extras.

Mayne made it three out of three from the tee in the first half after lock Dan Hayward was driven over from a rolling maul.

Flanker Pete Bilham was man of the match for Teignmouth, who are at home to Tiverton this Saturday.

North Petherton meanwhile, will be keen to climb into the top half of the table as they take on bottom two, Truro and Newton Abbot RFC, in two of their next three fixtures.

Photography by Lorna Gray.