Devon Second XV Shield Quarter Final

Plymstock Albion Oaks Seconds 5 - Crediton Quins 38

CREDITON RFC Quins journeyed to Plymstock on November 23, just when Storm Bert was beginning to let us know he was around and that it would be not only 15 opponents to contend with but also some testing weather conditions.

Plymstock Albion Oaks Seconds are currently mid-table in the parallel league to the one that we play in and based in the South and West Devon area and the form book suggested that we should win.

However, the home side dominated the early exchanges and we were forced to defend and in doing so, we conceded a penalty which was kicked to the corner.

From the resulting driving maul their hooker went over out wide. The conditions were such that place kicking would always be difficult and the conversion was missed.

That really was as good as it got for the home side in terms of the scoreboard although generally, the Oaks proved a difficult nut to crack.

On 16 minutes, skipper Josh Atkinson got our side of the scoreboard moving when we attacked in their “22” and the ball came out to Atkinson whose power and strength took him past several defenders to score. James Dodge adding the extras.

The next 20 minutes was evenly contested and as the interval approached, winger Charlie Gribble outpaced the home defence to score out wide, a remarkable conversion from the touchline from Dodge, in a howling gale, took us to the break with a 14-5 lead.

The lead was extended early in the second half when some excellent handling got the ball to winger Bobby Jenkin who still had two defenders to beat.

His quick feet left them both flailing and he scampered away to score.

Storm Bert, clearly angered by James Dodge defying his efforts by converting first two tries, made sure the elements got the better of things for the third.

Despite the conditions, both sides tried to play decent rugby but the strength of the wind induced some handling errors.

A tackle considered dangerous brought a yellow card for No8 Chris Hooper but the Oaks were unable to make their numerical advantage pay off.

The conditions were worsening, making life difficult for both sides but on the hour mark, replacement winger Josh Edwards took on the defenders and races home to score out wide, again the conditions put paid to a successful conversion.

With a 24-5 lead we were looking comfortable and that lead was extended on 78 minutes although there was some confusion and debate regarding the score.

There was no doubt about the score being genuine, but rather the lead up to it which, according to the scorer involved a run in from 40 metres, six side steps and brushing off tackles before touching down.

However, it should be borne in mind that this description was given several hours after the event and the memory could well have been tainted by post match celebrations.

Whatever the truth, it was replacement hooker Bobby Mogford who dotted down and James Dodge defied storm Bert and landed the extras.

From the restart and with only seconds remaining, we took play upfield and earned a scrum.

The referee had signalled last play and the quick thinking James Dodge picked from the base and exploited a gap to score under the posts and he then added the two points.

Considering the conditions it was an excellent game and the two scores in the final minutes probably flattered us.

The scrum was pretty evenly matched and the lineouts were something of a lottery but overall a great game from both sides!

We now move on into the semi-final on February 8 when we will host Ivybridge Second XV.

Bobby Mogford