WHILST the Summer may have slipped by unnoticed, volunteers have been out in force in the background at Crediton Rugby FC.
Work on the pitches continues as it always does, for the ground staff there is seldom any respite and when we look at the main pitch as it is now, it has to be agreed that it has never looked better.
The loss of the pitch on the Rec has been partly compensated for by preparing the training pitch and reinstating the posts.
At Creedy Bridge, again the pitch is looking in excellent shape and now that we have a decent changing facility and improved access and parking, we can get more use out of that playing area too.
There have been numerous improvements in the clubhouse, including an upgrade to the ladies lounge toilets.
Changes to the website are ongoing but it is much improved and links to the RFU Game Management System.
On the playing side, training has been under way for two months and there have been a few pre-season friendlies which have given players a useful run out as we build towards the first league game of the season on Saturday, September 2, when we will host Truro who finished last season in third place, some 18 points behind us.
There have been a couple of changes to the Regional Two Tribute South West (only the RFU can come up with ridiculous names for the various leagues) as we have lost Bridgwater and Sherborne through relegation and gained Cullompton and Topsham.
St Austell has moved up a league and Burnham on Sea have moved across on a level transfer to replace them.
Our travel has been reduced dramatically with half of the league being made up of Devon teams.
The Second XV also have a few changes to their league, Counties Three Tribute Devon East, where Kingsbridge, Tavistock and Torquay have all joined the league structure this season with their respective Second XV’s and Plympton Victoria have also returned to the league.
All four are in the Western section which has meant that Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Topsham Second XV’s have moved across to the East section.
Sadly, we have lost Buckfastleigh who have withdrawn from the league due to lack of players.
Such a shame for them and hopefully they will find a way back in the not too distant future.
The Third XV will continue in the Devon Merit Table as last season.
Withycombe First XV 17 Crediton Second XV 10
The opening trial game of the season, on August 10, saw the Quins travel to Withycombe with a squad of 27 players and put in a great performance against Withies who finished last season in fourth place in Counties 2 Tribute Devon (OK so that is the equivalent of the previously labelled Cornwall and Devon League).
Both sides were experimenting in an effort to find the right combinations to start the season.
Despite the result, this was a huge shift by the squad which included a number of players just out of Colts all of whom impressed.
Selectors will indeed have huge problems during the season and the depth of talent within the club is increasing each year.
The season has barely begun and already some interesting facts have appeared in particular with regard to the try scorers.
Some 61 years after his grandfather John made his senior debut for the Club, Ben Baxter, fresh out of Colts played his first senior game and got himself on the scoresheet with a try.
At the other end of the age scale, it is some time since Kevin Ellis played age grade rugby, (the late Queen Elizabeth was barely halfway through her reign!) and indeed it is 31 years since he opened his try scoring account in senior rugby.
Clearly, he has no wish to close that account as he bagged his 131st try in his 751st game, not a bad record for a prop!
Crediton Club Side 62 Tavistock 26
Tavistock earned promotion to level seven last season by barely breaking into a sweat and for half of the game on August 12, they competed well.
In the end, the gulf in quality proved too much and we ran out winners 62-26. Disappointing to concede four tries against a side that plays one league lower but generally a good performance all round.
New signing Jack Arnott bagged a hat-trick of tries from fullback, Josh Woodland, having recovered from his leg break last season look close to being back to his old self and touched down twice as did centre Ollie Clark. Ben Wonnacott, Josh Hall and Mark Lee scored one apiece. Ollie Down landed four conversions and Josh Davey two.
Mark Lee is back with his third stint at the Club having spent the past two seasons as player coach at Bideford and it is good to have him back.
Sam Westcott is another new recruit and last season was playing for Exeter Athletic Colts.
He is a strong No 8 and showed some useful touches and will certainly be an asset. He does have Crediton connections as his dad Sean, was playing for Crediton Colts in 1987-89.
Crediton Club Side 5 University 38
The University fielded a pretty strong side on August 24, and whist we were well below what would be considered full strength, we battled pretty well throughout.
The pace of the students was the telling difference.
We certainly will not play a side of that calibre in the league.
Tom Mortimer scored Crediton’s consolation try.
Crediton Seconds 26 Exeter Saracens Firsts 33
It was a really entertaining game of rugby on August 26, with both sides keen to throw the ball about and produced a pretty evenly contested 80 minutes. There was never much in it and at half-time it was all square at 12 all.
Sarries went ahead 19-12 but we responded with a couple of converted tries to lead 26-19.
Sarries levelled and that looked to be a fair result but they managed a final minute score to take the honours.
Great to see half a dozen of last seasons Colts getting in on the action all look to have promising futures.
Skipper and No 8 Chris Hooper touched down twice and there was one apiece for Sam Rowe and James Dodge. Tom Ronchetti landed three conversions.
Crediton Thirds 17 Exeter Saracens Seconds 40
The Thirds battled hard against a pretty strong Sarries Second XV and managed to keep pace with them until the final quarter when the Sarries pulled away.
Encouraging opener for the Thirds who should have a good season.
Dan Vertenten, Joe Wreford and Richard Gray scored a try apiece with Owen Cooper landing a conversion.
Ivybridge Colts 45 Crediton Colts 10
So far as Colts rugby is concerned this was a pretty inexperienced side with many of the players starting their first year as Colts.
However, they certainly held their own for the first half against a strong Ivybridge outfit.
The fact that Crediton travelled with only one replacement and Ivybridge had an entire alternative team waiting on the bench, the fresh legs in the end told. However, the players can be really pleased with their performance.
Ben Harris and Charlie Conner scored the Colts tries.
It would take a brave individual to make predictions before the season has even started and on that I will pass.
It usually takes a month into the season to see who are the on-form sides but not until we reach half way can we see any pattern develop.
Certainly, we have the talent throughout the teams to ensure we are in the mix come April.
On the evening of Friday, September 3, we have two games, the Ladies host Cullompton Ladies in a friendly and the Third XV entertain the Wooden Spoon Vets, both with 6.45pm kick-offs.
On Saturday, the First XV host Truro and the Second XV travel to Okehampton whilst the Colts make the trip to Newton Abbot.
Paul Harris