ST IVES 54 - CREDITON 10
THE trip to St Ives on April 8 was badly affected by injuries and unavailabilities particularly in the back line where there were five enforced changes from the side that had beaten Bude the previous week.
There is no doubt the final score flattered St Ives although their three-quarters did run us a bit ragged at times.
Whilst we did score a couple of consolation tries through full-back Ed Brady and fly-half Jake Attwell, there was disappointment that what looked to be two perfectly good tries were ruled out by the referee plus a few other scoring opportunities were spurned.
The outcome has not had any major effect on our position and the reality is that we simply need just one point from our final game at home against Wellington to ensure survival in Western Counties West League.
However, we can move up a place or two if we can get a bonus point win and Tiverton get nothing from their trip to St Austell, it would certainly be nice to finish above Tivvy.
BRIXHAM SECONDS 38 - CREDITON QUINS 39
Crediton were immediately on the back foot and within 10 minutes they went 7-0 down when the sharp Brixham backs broke through the Crediton defensive line to go over for a converted try.
Ten minutes later their lead was increased and again it came through their backs who moved the ball out wide to create an overlap and go over in the corner for a converted try.
Crediton were still trying hard to get into the game and were rewarded after 25 minutes when a good kick chase by Haydon Hill put Dave Rich into space and he raced over for a try with Tom Ronchetti adding the extras.
On 36 minutes Crediton added to their score when Brixham were penalised for offside and Tom Ronchetti popped over the penalty.
Brixham responded immediately and failure by the Crediton players to deal with the kick off resulted in the ball going loose and home backs reacted first they once again broke through the Crediton defence to go over for their third converted try.
Just before half-time Crediton hit back when a sustained period of pressure in the Brixham 22 metres area by the Crediton forwards resulted in Andy Hawkes forcing his way over to score an unconverted try against his old club, making the half-time score 15-21 to Brixham.
Brixham scored immediately from the restart when a poor kick out of defence by Crediton allowed their backs to run back at them to go over in the corner for a converted try.
Crediton responded through their forwards and when Brixham were penalised close to their line Crediton opted to take a scrum from which they drove the Brixham pack backwards and No 8 Will Goodman picked up to force his way over for a try. Tom Ronchetti added the extras.
The Crediton forwards were now coming to the fore and after a series of strong runs deep into the Brixham half Will Goodman was on-hand to force his way over for his second try which went unconverted.
Brixham came right back and once again it was their well-organised pacey backs who broke through poor Crediton tackling to go over for a converted try.
With Crediton now on the back foot and Brixham were mounting another attack when Crediton winger John Gray read the play well to make a good interception and he raced clear to score under the posts with Tom Ronchetti again adding the extras to make this a one point game.
Brixham were next on the scoreboard when Crediton were penalised for handling on the ground and the penalty kick was coolly converted.
With minutes left on the clock Crediton kicked deep into the Brixham half and a good kick chase gave them back possession from which their forwards mounted phase after phase of attacking plays before Macca Jones picked up and raced through a gap to score an unconverted try, making the final score 39-38 to Crediton.
This was a very tenacious display by the whole Crediton team which resulted in a good victory over their National League Three opponents, and a great way to finish their 2016/17 league campaign.
Tries from Josh Goldman, Jack French and Tommy Jermyn plus two conversions from Conrad Saunders were enough to gain victory for the Colts against Okehampton.
The Colts included a number of Under 16s, all of whom showed up very well and some encouraging performances look to give the Colts a very useful looking side next season.
Easter is a bit quiet for the senior sides, the Second Fifteen are at home against New Cross on Easter Saturday and the Third Fifteen are away at Topsham in the Devon Merit Table.
The following week of course is the final day of the league programme and we entertain bottom placed Wellington needing a single point to guarantee that we shall be playing in WCW next season.
The Third Fifteen entertain Woking RFC who are on tour in Devon. The Colts travel to Okehampton for their final game of the season.
Paul Harris