Crediton 33 - Newton Abbot 3

THE visit of Newton Abbot to Crediton RFC produced a game that was almost a reverse of last week’s match at Cullompton.

It was a game where we were made to struggle in the first half and then blossomed in the second although the main difference it must be said was the way we defended.

This match saw a transformation with first up tackles rarely missed and most of the visitors’ attacks snuffed out quickly.

The opening half was something of a non-event in comparison to last week.

Indeed, it was Newton Abbot who seemed to be firing most shots, dominating possession, edging the scrums and a very solid lineout.

At times we had difficulty in getting hands on the ball and with a penalty count that was disturbing to say the least.

It looked as though we had opened the scoring in the opening minutes when from a knock-on advantage the ball was shipped out to fullback Freddie Blackburn who looked to be away but was called back for a forward pass.

For half an hour though, that was the only chance either side had created and rarely did they progress to the opposing “22”.

We missed out on one opportunity when the final pass was adjudged forward and another when from a ruck, flanker Jake Clarke appeared to have exploited a gap and gone through for a try. Unfortunately, the referee could not see a clear grounding and that was that.

On the half hour mark, the visitors had an opportunity to take the lead with an ambitious penalty attempt from inside their half but whilst the accuracy was there, it dipped short and we were able to clear.

Within minutes, another, much easier chance came their way and this time their fly half Tom Steer made no mistake and we were 0-3 down. That though is as good as it got for the All Whites and within minutes we had responded. A penalty was kicked to the corner and the resulting lineout and riving maul ended with skipper Ben Wonnacott dashing to the line from 10 metres, fly half Josh Davey landed the conversion and we reached the interval with a 7-3 advantage.

The second half was a totally different affair and we were out of the blocks from the word go. It did not take long before the backs began to show some of the style that had been on display at Cullompton. Fullback Freddie Blackburn joining the line at every opportunity and, following a driving maul, the ball was spread wide in one flowing move he was the last receiver, stepping inside a couple of players and in for a try, Davey landed the conversion.

Unfortunately on the hour mark, we were reduced to 14 players following an incident of pushing and shoving, a red card was issued and it looked as though it would be a case of us hanging on to our lead as best we could.

We seemed to be thwarting everything that the visitors could throw at us and as the game entered the final 10 minutes, a break by Brady whose pace proved too hot to handle and his offload led to the ball coming wide and again it was Blackburn who evaded a couple of tackles to score.  Davey landed a difficult conversion.

Within minutes, the bonus point duly arrived and this time it began in our own “22”. 

A clearance kick from Davey was fielded on the visitors 10 metre line, they tried to run back and spread the ball wide but a knock on handed us the advantage and winger Bobby Jenkin was alert to grab possession and offload to Ollie Down who made ground before shipping on to that man Blackburn again who went over on the left wing to complete his hat-trick.

Newton hit back and tried to make their one man advantage tell but despite some strong running, they were unable to make a breakthrough. A couple of penalties to the corner and attempts to set up driving mauls were thwarted by some outstanding defending.

Scrum half Ed Brady relieved the pressure when he picked up a loose pass and raced from our “22” to with 15 metres of the Newton line before being hauled down, the offload didn’t go to hand but at least the play was back in the visiting “22”.

The final score came when left wing Bobby Jenkin linked well up the touchline and raced clear outpacing a number of defenders before going around to score under the posts.

Surprisingly, the conversion was charged down but it mattered not as the bonus point win had been achieved for the third successive week.

A great second half performance especially as we were a player light, we still scored some excellent tries. The defence was vastly improved from last week although we do need to address the penalty count.

Cullompton Seconds 7 - Crediton Quins 33

The Quins turned in another dominant performance against a good Cullompton team which only narrowly lost at Newcross last week.

The game started with both sides playing at pace with the Quins dominating possession and it wasn't long before fly half Tom Ronchetti broke through to score between the posts, he also converted it for the extras.

Cullompton came back with some strong attacking play, but the Quins defence held strong.

Within minutes fullback Mark Lee burst through to touch down, Ronchetti added the extras once again.

With half time approaching, the Quins were camped on the home side's 5m line.

Some strong pick and goes sucked in their defence, then a pass out wide saw centre Ethan Power score, Ronchetti converted again for a 21-0 interval lead.

The second half started in very similar fashion although the Cullompton defence seemed to improve and they were beginning to use their forwards to good effect with some close passing and linking with the backs.

They were rewarded with a well taken try which was converted and which could have been the impetus to get them back in the game. However, the Quin response was almost immediate and No.8 and skipper Chris Hooper broke off a maul to dash over. The conversion missed its mark. 

Cullompton were starting to buckle under pressure and a silly moment from their fullback saw him having a 10 minute rest.

The Quins took full advantage of the extra man, scrum on the 22 saw Hooper pick from the base and pass out wide to replacement Charlie Gribble, to run in and score. Ronchetti added the extras to round off an excellent victory. 

Another inspiring performance from the Quins with all 19 players in the squad having come through the Junior section over the years.

The experience of Mark and Josh Lee, Tom Ronchetti, Sam Rowe and Chris Hooper combined superbly with the younger players all of whom are recent Colts players.

This has the potential to be a really exciting side with many young players challenging for a place in the Firsts over the coming months.

Bideford Seconds 29 - Crediton Third 19

The Thirds played their part in another entertaining Merit Table game against a well drilled Bideford Second XV and indeed we were well in the game until a little ill discipline took over and three yellow cards which proved our undoing, hopefully lessons will be learned and not repeated.

Our scrum was once again a strong force and dominated for much of the game, the lineouts worked pretty well and at fly half, Sam Ronchetti kept the backs on the front foot.

We put phases of play together and looked the better side with ball in hand and some strong running. Where we did let ourselves down was in defence and a failure to communicate especially on the occasions when we were a man short.

Kevin Ellis was first to score after controlling a very successful maul and powering over for five points in the first half.

Bideford did make use of their numerical advantage to take a lead into the interval.

The second half was better from our perspective and it was not long before Euan Philip another of last seasons’ Colts making his senior debut, was on the end of a good handling move to run in under the posts from the home “22”.  Sam Ronchetti converted.

Our final score came from a solo effort from Elliot White with a tap and go penalty five metres out and dancing through the Bideford defence White converted his own try!

Lots of positives will be taken from this game but also a lot of lessons to learn with discipline being a major factor in the final result! Many thanks to our hosts and we wish them well for the rest of the season! 

On Saturday, the First XV travel to Wadebridge whilst the Quins and Colts entertain their counterparts from Newton Abbot.

Paul Harris