TEIGNMOUTH’S relegation worries in South West Two were deepened by a 45-22 loss away to fellow strugglers Wellington.

It was Teignmouth’s sixth league defeat on the trot since they won 24-7 at Newton Abbot back in mid-November.

Teignmouth’s latest setback dropped them into the bottom two, where they now share joint billing with Newton Abbot.

Unlike Newton Abbot, who have picked up eight points from the last 10 on offer, there is no signs of Teignmouth’s form improving.

Newton’s 24-all comeback draw against Wadebridge, and Truro’s one-point win over North Petherton, made matters worse for the Teigns.

Pete Parsons, the Teignmouth captain, is well aware of the task facing his side in the final eight games of the season.

“A losing streak is hard to stop,” said Parsons.

“The Newton and Truro results, although not ideal, make for an exciting end to the season.

“We are up for the challenge.”

Teignmouth led twice in the first half – 3-0 and 10-5 – thanks to a Jack Mayne penalty and converted try by Dan Force.

By halftime, and while Teignmouth were a man down due to a sin-binning, Wellington led 18-10.

Wellington went 30-10 up after the break thanks to back-to-back tries. Both sides accumulated yellow cards during this period.

And when Wellington went 35-10 up, it seemed all over for the Teigns.

Bonus points became Teignmouth’s target and they moved closer to one when Matt Dowrick dummied his way over in the corner. Mayne converted.

Back came Wellington with a try up the’ bus lane’ to go 40-17 ahead, but not for long. Teignmouth responded with a try from Jordan Hellier.

The Teigns thought they had picked up a four-try bonus point when man of the match Alex Ford got over, but play was brought back for a previous infringement.

Wellington had the final word with a late try.

Parsons had no problems pinpointing where it went wrong for the Teigns.

“Discipline and focus were where we fell down … again,” said Parsons.

“There were periods when we applied real pressure and felt on top of the game.

“But when you concede two quick and easy tries after half time it's very hard to stop the inevitable thoughts of ‘here we go again’.

The Teigns have a re-arranged game away to Okehampton this Saturday.

It was also a weekend to forget for the Teignmouth 2nd XI as they were handed a 63-13 hiding by New Cross, who themselves kept the pressure on Devon Two leaders Crediton Quins with this result.

Crediton, a point clear of New Cross at the top with two games in hand, remain favourites for the single promotion place out of the division. It is not cut and dried though as the two antagonists still have to play each other late in the season.

Ryan Wotton, the New Cross captain, marked his 350th appearance for the club with two tries and seven conversions in a win that was not as emphatic as it appears.

“Despite the score, Teignmouth made us work hard at times and kept us honest especially at the breakdown,” said Tim Marshall, the New Cross team manager. They never gave up and kept fighting to the end.

“That said, at times, we played some of our best rugby of the season, with a mix of power-play from the forwards and running rugby in the backs.”

The New Cross try scorers were Wotton (2), Louie Griffiths, George Lowery, Richard Life, Rob Pedrick and Jason Fowler. Teignmouth gave away two penalty tries.