Brixham's Tom McLean an internet sensation after try-line howler

Brixham centre Tom McLean has become an internet sensation after an unfortunate incident in his team's match with Barnstaple.

National Three South West matches rarely get the attention of the world, but thanks to poor Tom, this week one has.  

With his team 6-0 down, he intercepted a pass and sprinted for the try line, unopposed. He dived over what he thought was the try-line and then jumped up and punched the air in celebration, perhaps imagining his name in lights on the back pages of the Devon locals.

Sadly for Tom, it wasn't the try-line he had dived over, but the five-metre line.

He remained a couple of metres short of the try-line, which, in fairness was obscured by the muddy conditions. And the gleeful, celebratory smile on his face was promptly removed when he was wiped out by a couple of Barnstaple bruisers, who realised his mistake before he did.

Tom talked Sky Sports News HQ through it.

"One of their players threw a big wild pass," he said. "I ran through to intercept the ball, pinned my ears back and was running towards the try-line - only to dive onto the five-metre line, thinking it was the try line.

"Conditions weren't great. I got up, celebrating, only to be tackled by a couple of their players.  I was quite shocked at the time. I thought it was a bit of foul play to be honest. I was a bit annoyed. Then I turned around and realised I was short of the line. It was a bit of a shock."

He admits his team-mates were less than understanding after the match, which they went on to lose 6-0.

"I got quite a bit of grief. But it's all blown over now and they can see the funny side," he said. "I'm in this weekend and the coach has told me many times already that I better have a good game."