This was set up to be a real test of Teddington RFC's credentials.

A match against a side who contested the top end of this league last season and have certainly started the present one in the same manner.

Both sides have recorded big wins in their opening set of matches and were unbeaten going into this one.

A few tweaks to the Teddington line up saw Joe STAINER move into fly half and James FRANKENBERGER back in on the wing.

In the pack Olly HOLLAND packed down in the engine room, with James NELSON coming into the back row.

The game started with Teddington probing, but Tiffs held firm and it was the visitors who then applied the pressure and took a 7-0 lead courtesy of a try on 15 minutes.

Teddington came back though with two trys from youngster Josh McKIERNAN; last years Colt who is taking to senior rugby like a duck to water now has 4 trys in just 2 starts for the 1st XV.

As the clocked ticked towards half time, Max AITKEN received the ball deep in Teddington's half, and set off on a run which took him past several attempted Old Tiffinian tackles to score under the posts.

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Moments later Dan ROBERTSHAW crossed again, and with Joe STAINER's dead eye goalkicking the Antlers had stretched out to a 28-7 lead.

It looked a long way back for the visitors as the teams turned around at the break.

Old Tiffs are a good side though and it was no surprise when they took a stranglehold of the game in the second half, scoring two trys both converted to bring the score back to 28-21.

It was game on now and Teddington replied by inching out the lead to 10 points with a STAINER penalty, which was reciprocated by the Tiffinians full back who didn't look like missing all day.

Rory MERCER, now off the bench, settled the home supporters' nerves by powering over from close range to take a 38-24 lead with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Any complacency amongst the home crowd was soon dispelled as the Old Boys came back and scored again to bring them to within 7.

They then laid siege to the Antlers line with minutes to go as they looked to tie the game.

The Antlers defence was up to the task as it has been many times this season.

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Tiffs finally gave away a penalty and that was it.. or was it.

From the penalty Teddington failed to tap the ball first and instead kicked the ball straight out behind the goal resulting in a Tiffs scrum 15 yards out.

A lifeline for the visitors which to the delight of the home side they couldn't take as a knock brought an end to proceedings. High drama.

If the rest of this season is anything like this game, then we are in for a rollercoaster.

Final Score Teddington RFC 38 Old Tiffinians RFC 31. Man of the Match Joe STAINER.