Crediton 18 - Barnstaple 61

CREDITON RFC First Team could not have drawn tougher opposition for the first round of the Devon Senior Cup, held on October 5.

Barnstaple were always a daunting prospect and the final score may well indicate a somewhat easy victory for the visitors.

To be fair though, there was nothing to choose between the two sides for the first 40 minutes. Certainly there was no indication of what was to come in the second forty.

We opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a strong drive in the scrum led to a penalty which was duly landed by Josh Davey.

The lead was short lived as three minutes later Barum were awarded a penalty five metres off our line and opted for the scrum. Despite going backwards, their No8 did manage to get the ball away and with our defence drawn in, they had a simple run in for a converted try.

We continued to battle away and were certainly equal to anything the visitors could throw at us, until the 20th minute when a break from their own half caught us with too few defenders and with a three on one managed to race away and score under the posts, the conversion put them 3-14 ahead.

We came back strongly and pressure on the Barum line forced them to concede penalties.

We took the scrum option to set up several phases before lock Josh Lee stepped through a gap to score a well deserved try, Davey converted for 10-14.

With the interval approaching, we were looking likely to score, a break by Brady looked to have beaten the defenders but he was caught just short of the line.However, we came back for an earlier Barnstaple infringement and Davey popped the penalty over to bring us to within a single point at the break.

The entire game changed within five minutes of the second half, Barnstaple pressure and a succession of penalties against us led to a line-out five metres out and the resultant maul ended with a score at the posts which was converted.

Again we hit back and for 10 minutes we were camped in the visiting “22” and with a number of penalties going our way. Such was our dominance we opted for a scrum each time.

Unfortunately at the third or fourth attempt and somewhat surprisingly, it was our turn to be penalised at the scrum to give Barum an easy get out.

That seemed to sap our energy and from the line-out the visitors attacked down the middle for a converted try for a 13-28 lead. More pressure from our part and again Barnstaple penalised but we got into promising positions but the defence was solid. Then a turnover on their “22” led to another break down the left and recycled ball out wide to the right and another try for 13-35.

This was followed soon after by another five pointer by which time it really was game over.

Within a minute we were turned over again and a break down the middle then out wide and they were in under the posts, it was indeed becoming a procession.

Despite the seemingly torrent of tries being scored against us, we continued to have our moments of pressure and from a line-out, we set up a couple of rucks and the ball out wide to Ben Harris who shipped on to winger Charlie Gribble to go over in the corner for his first try for the First XV.

The final score did not really do justice to our part in the game, we had as much territory and possession as Barnstaple as well as much the better of the scrums and for the first hour there was nothing much to choose between the sides.

The main difference was in the creating and finishing of chances. At times Barnstaple made scoring look extremely easy and were so clinical whereas whilst we had equal possession we found it much harder to break down the defence.

Certainly it was the final quarter that did for us as we fell off tackles and looked off the pace but for much of the game we were the equal of our higher league visitors.

The defeat sees us into the semi-final of the Devon Senior Shield against Exmouth to be played in February.

• The Lee Brothers, Mark, Dan and Josh, became the first trio of brothers to appear in the same Crediton team since 1912.

The three had appeared in the same Devon side nine years ago but this was a first for Crediton since the Boddy brothers William, Stan and Percy appeared for the Club on March 9, 1912 against Exeter Reserves.

Disappointing result for the Quins

Sidmouth 33 - Crediton Quins 19

AN unusually lacklustre performance from Crediton RFC Quins ended in a very disappointing result in the quarter final of the Devon Second XV Cup at Sidmouth.

Playing up the slope in the first half, we started reasonably well but were unable to break down the home defence.

It was Sidmouth who broke the deadlock on 20 minutes with a try out wide which was converted.

The Quins responded and from five metre scrum set up a scoring opportunity but a handling error brought the attack to a halt. The home side countered quickly and bagged a second converted try to ease into the interval with a 14-0 advantage.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first and we seemed to hold and advantage in the scrum and set up an opportunity for winger Tariq Sayers to use his pace and strength to race in from some distance to score although the conversion missed its mark.

Another scrum on the home 22m line saw Quins No8 Chris Hooper pick from the base and put scrum half Joe Dodge in for the try which was converted by Tom Ronchetti.

The Quins didn't give up, and had the final say, with number 8 Chris Hooper forcing his way over the line for the final try. Once again converted by Tom Ronchetti. Final 33-19 to Sidmouth.

That defeat sees us out of the Cup Competition but we still have the semi-final of the Shield competition away at either Cullompton Seconds or Plymstock Seconds who have yet to play.

Crediton RFC Thirds glad for a game and a win

Newcross Seconds 15 - Crediton Thirds 47

HAVING been without a game for three weeks, the Thirds were glad to get a game away at Newcross Seconds.

Despite not having the usual numbers available, some players were playing in new positions but it all seemed to work out well.

Halfbacks Owen Cooper and Joe Warren ran the show in style ensuring the backs had a very busy game!

The forwards held a slight advantage at the scrum although and the line-outs worked very well with Euan Phillip securing well.

Communication has been something of an issue in the last few games so it was pleasing to see all the lads talking and listening.The result coming by means of some really well worked tries.

The forwards took the game on with some hard carries from Joe Wreford, Lewis Cook, Eaun Phillip and Andrew Griffiths with great support from the rest of the pack.

This provided the momentum which allowed Cooper and Warren to set the backs free to do all sorts of fancy things which you don't normally see in Third team rugby.

Fullback Harry Hustwayte and wingers Josh Edwards and Caoimhin Fogarty were very busy with Fogarty almost getting a try before being hauled down a couple of metres short of the line.

Edwards was also in fine form showing his pace and skills catching a long wide pass on the boot to chase it over and score and Hustwayte carving up the defence as he so often does.

Newcomer Mathew Wood was a welcome sight, playing his first game for Crediton with very strong carries.

New Cross were not there to just make up the numbers though and in the first half they really threw the kitchen sink at us with strong running from their big players but as always it was the evergreen Bradley Baker leading by example in the defence as though his life depended on it and the whole team followed suit with some fantastic defending from Lewis Cook, Harry Grigg, Joe Crocker and Greg B Phillips.

New Cross were forced work really hard for their three tries.

This was a great result for the Thirds and after a loss last time out it was very much needed, everyone played a big part in a fantastic game.

Many thanks to out hosts New Cross and we wish them all the luck this season with their friendlies and we really hope they are able to join the merit table next season.

For the record, the scorers were; Tries: Joe Wreford 2, Joe Warren 2, Josh Edwards 2, Bradley Baker and Greg B Phillips with Owen Cooper landing six conversions.

Heartbreaking result for Colts against Topsham

Crediton 15 - Topsham 17

A HEARTBREAKING result on October 6 for the Colts who led for most of the game between two evenly match sides.

It was certainly a game where fine margins can decide the outcome.

The rain made handling difficult but both sides produced some good quality rugby in the conditions and provided excellent entertainment for the rain-soaked crowd.

All the early pressure came from Crediton and they deservedly took the lead with a well taken try from Sam Walker converted by George Baxter.

Topsham hit back with a try which was not improved upon.

Crediton continued to dominate territory and possession but the visiting defence was proving difficult to break down.

A clever line-out move led to the home side forcing their way down the touchline before spreading the ball wide for a second score.

This time it was Tom Ayre who touched down and which was not converted and at the interval, Crediton held a 12-7 lead.

It could actually have been more had a third “try” not been disallowed for a double movement.

Most people who saw the “try” considered it somewhat harsh but the match official was on the spot and felt he could not allow the score to count.

Topsham always looked dangerous with ball in hand but the Crediton defence was certainly up to the task. A penalty awarded as Topsham were caught offside was landed by Baxter for a 15-7 lead which meant the visitors would require two scores. Crediton continued to try and press home the advantage and at this stage were certainly not under any pressure.

With time running out Topsham exploded into life and with a well taken try to get within three points.

With tails up they sensed the chance of progressing into the next round and with our defence stretched they did take the lead with the final score of the game with another try out wide to secure the two point win.

Whilst the players will be disappointed to have lost, they did create opportunities to have won the game comfortably. The consolation is that the team is improving as each game goes by, they played very well at times and just need to be a little more clinical when the chances arise.

On Friday evening, the Quins travel to North Tawton for a league game which should prove an interesting battle.

Tawts have had some decent results this season most notably a comfortable victory at Newcross last time out and no doubt they will certainly be “up for it” against the Quins.

On Saturday, the First XV host Okehampton in the league and also doubles up as the First leg of the Frank Webb Cup.

Okes were relegated at the end of last season but as always will remain a force to be reckoned with.

The Thirds have no game but the Veterans open their league campaign with a game at Okehampton kicking off at 12.30pm. The Colts travel to Sidmouth for another Colts Cup fixture.

Paul Harris