CREDITON 23 vs SALTASH 12

THE top of the table clash on the final league day of the season to decide which team would be promoted as champions certainly lived up to the hype that surrounded the game during the week.

For Kirton to be crowned league champions this was a must win game, for Saltash a draw would have been sufficient.

The quality of rugby provided was of the highest calibre and it was plain to see why these were without doubt the two best sides in the league.

The stage was set as Saltash have the best attacking record whilst Crediton have proved the meanest defence during the season.

The fact that the visitors only defeat was inflicted by Crediton way back in September, created an added ingredient to the recipe.

Both sides missed early penalty opportunities but the hosts took the lead on 12 minutes with an Ollie Avery-Wright penalty after the Ashes had been penalised for a high tackle.

With both sides intent on playing an attacking game, running the ball whenever they could, indeed it was the visitors who kept the pace of the game going with quickly taken lineouts and tap penalties.

Whilst Crediton were stretched at times the defence nonetheless held firm.

The breakthrough came when Ashes surrendered possession on the Crediton "22" and home centre Mark Lee made a 40-metres break before offloading in the tackle to scrum-half Tom Ronchetti who scorched home from 25 metres, Avery-Wright converted for a 10-0 lead.

Saltash continued their policy of running everything from anywhere and on a couple of occasions home full-back Matt Dayment was forced to put in try-saving tackles.

Eventually though pressure told and Crediton made a mess of their own lineout five metres out and visiting hooker Ryan Rayner pounced on the loose ball to score, skipper Max Venables landed an excellent conversion from out wide.

It was then Crediton's turn to put pressure on and their reward was a penalty when the Salash pack was penalised for pulling down a driving maul a couple of metres out.

Fortune favoured them as it could easily have been a penalty try. Avery-Wright made no mistake with the kick and followed with another penalty shortly before the interval.

The second half began with some intense Saltash pressure and to have come away with nothing after long periods in the Crediton "22" was down to some incredible defending.

The score that looked like coming did eventually arrive as Ashes scrum-half Ollie Mulberry squeezed in at the corner flag, the conversion was wide of the mark but the deficit had been reduced to a single point.

A pulsating last quarter saw Ashes throw everything at a rock solid Crediton defence and it was the hosts who bagged the next score with another Avery-Wright penalty.

This was soon followed by a wonderful solo try from right-wing Devon Hosegood whose run from half-way looked to have been covered by the visitors defence but his pace, aided by a neat sidestep saw him clear much to the delight of the home crowd.

The conversion from Avery-Wright from the touchline was superb and gave us the nine point cushion we needed.

The final 10 minutes saw sustained pressure from Saltash but the Crediton defence was in no mood to give anything away and managed to see the game out.

The fantastic ovation received by both sides was thoroughly deserved, a fine advert for amateur rugby at this level.

Both clubs will be playing in Western Counties West next season, obviously it will be tougher but both sets of players seem to thrive on challenges and will give anyone a run for their money next season.

In order to make a day of it, Saltash brought their Second Fifteens to play Crediton 'Quins as a "curtain raiser" for the main event.

Crediton proved far too strong and ran out winners 56-7.

WITHYCOMBE

SECONDS 14

CREDITON THIRDS 55

Crediton's Third Fifteen travelled to Withycombe for their final Merit Table game of the season and overwhelmed their hosts with an eight try romp.

This has completed another hugely successful Merit Table season for the Thirds who seem to go from strength-to-strength.

Will Jermyn touched down twice and there was one apiece for Kev Ellis, Sam Phillips, Ben Phillips, Richard Gray, Pete Rich and Scott Mills.

Gareth Kinch had a good day with the boot, landing six conversions and a penalty.

They followed that up with a 55-25 victory against touring side Barton-Under-Needwood.

DEVONPORT COLTS 27

CREDITON COLTS 29

Second from bottom Devonport made Crediton battle all the way for their narrow victory and although a place in the Shield final had already been secured for Crediton, this was a game they would not have wanted to lose.

Winger Jack Zilch raced in for a try hat-trick and there was a try each for Ollie Langdon-Wright and Ed Brady. Langdon-Wright and Hayden Hill converted one apiece.

The Shield final will be played at Exeter Chiefs ground on Sunday, May 3 with a 12.30pm kick off.