SALTASH 24 CREDITON 27 THE First Fifteen opened the new league campaign with a trip to Saltash for a game which traditionally ends as a high scoring affair with little to choose between the two sides and this one certainly maintained that tradition. After an excellent first half when we played some sparkling rugby and virtually blew the home side away, our game disintegrated and again we were left hanging on to a slender lead and begging for the final whistle to go. All the many good things we did in that first period we seldom attempted in the second and it allowed the home side to get back into the game with a vengeance. The opening five minutes were spent camped on the Ashes line but after several attempts to ground the ball ended in failure, the opportunity was lost. However, after 12 minutes, a long clearance by the home side was gathered by centre, Mark Lee, and his pace and power took him 30 metres up the right touchline before shipping a pass to Mike Pearce who then had fly-half, Rob Milton, in support to cross the line. Lee then converted for a 7-0 lead. The Crediton pack was in dominant form and created problems for the Saltash eight and on 20 minutes a scrum in midfield created a chance for the backs to run with the ball to put winger Ollie Down in for a try in the corner. Saltash responded with a penalty from influential full-back Max Venables but that was cancelled out with one from Mark Lee. Shortly before the interval, Lee again used his strength to breach the Ashes defence to score although he somewhat surprisingly missed a relatively simple conversion attempt. With a half-time lead of 22-3 and the slope in our favour, great things were expected in the second half. The home side however had different ideas and within minutes had reduced the deficit with a catch, drive try and conversion. Lee then grabbed his second try of the game as he exploited a gap in the home defence to race through and score although, again, the conversion drifted wide. That really should have been game over with a three score lead and going into the final quarter but Saltash proved, once again, that they are not finished until the final whistle. A quickly taken penalty 10 metres off our line was stopped in its tracks by Mark Nott who was somewhat harshly yellow carded for not having retreated. Ashes took another tap penalty and set up a driving maul from which they scored and subsequently converted. Sensing an opportunity they ran everything at us and eventually broke through for another converted try leaving 10 minutes for Crediton to hold on. When Saltash failed to take advantage of a four on one overlap their last real chance was gone and we managed to play out the last five minutes in their "22" as they were forced to keep the play alive and run from deep. Fortunately our defence held firm and we could breathe a sigh of relief as the final whistle brought proceedings to a halt. It was indeed a stern test and quite why our performance dipped in the second half is hard to understand. The backs looked lively and at times ran the opposition ragged and the forwards were by far the better eight. Nonetheless a win is a win and with a four try bonus point the season is off to a good start. If we maintain the first half performance for the full 80 minutes we shall indeed be a difficult side to beat. CREDITON 'QUINS 29 ILFRACOMBE 15 The 'Quins pulled off an excellent victory against Devon League Two side Ilfracombe. The forwards were in good form and not only laid the foundation for victory but also grabbed all the tries. Prop, Rob Leach, scored two and there was one apiece for Kev Ellis, Henry Gavin and Rory Huxtable with Stuart Pickard landing two conversions. There were many positives to come from the game and also much to work on as there was a tendency to lose possession as well as conceding too many penalties at crucial times. However, these are issues that can no doubt be dealt with at training. CREDITON HORNETS 0 BUCKFASTLEIGH 34 The Hornets also came up against Devon League Two opponents and despite the scoreline, put up a resilliant display. Buckfastleigh have recruited some players with experience in higher leagues and their big pack proved the difference using the rolling maul to good effect as they grabbed three catch and drive tries. However, it was extremely encouraging to get three sides out on the first Saturday of the season especially when so many players were not available. Fixtures tomorrow (September 13) are as follows: First Fifteen v South Molton (home); Second Fifteen v North Tawton (away); Third Fifteen v Brixham (Merit Table at home); Colts v Ivybridge (away). PH