Crediton Colts 35 - Devonport Colts 7

THE visitors arrived at the Blagdon pitch two short and our offer to loan them was rejected in a rather disdainful manner and consequently it was played out at 13 a-side. From the start, the Crediton lads had Devonport on the defensive and earned an early penalty, the quick tap and go ended with flanker Bailey Adams going over for the opening score, the conversion attempt drifted wide.

We continued to press but a couple of soft penalties and a bit of back chat gave the visitors easy chances to clear their lines.

Devonport then set up an attack and earned a penalty on our “22” and in front of the posts.

However, a real opportunity to reduce the arrears was missed as the penalty was wide of the mark. On 20 minutes, the Crediton lads increased their lead, a quick tap and go taken by Ben Baxter led to a ruck five metres out and it was prop Archie Bridgeman who got the touch down. Baxter made no mistake with the touchline conversion.

We gifted Devonport possession from the restart and they set up a series of rucks before going wide and their No8 ran a good line through the middle evading tackles to score at the posts, he landed the conversion and they were back in the game.

They then had a golden opportunity to level the scores when their influential No8 looked to be through on his own but a try saving tackle from home fullback Ben Pulfer prevented the score.

Devonport came much more into the game and looked dangerous with ball in hand but some last ditch defending kept them at bay until the interval.

An early second half penalty from Baxter settled the home nerves a bit however, a touch of ill-discipline for the second time during the game cost us position, the referee had awarded us a penalty 10 metres out but then had cause to reverse his decision and Devonport cleared.

Another Baxter penalty gave us a bigger cushion at 18-7.

We pulled further away with a Harry Gulley try from close range which went unconverted. Within minutes Archie Bridgeman bagged a second try with a pick up from the base of the scrum to go over from 15 metres.

The conversion struck the post but bounced the wrong side. With time running out, Baxter completed the scoring with a break from the Devonport “22” for a try which he then converted to seal a Crediton victory 35-7.

Devonport to their credit never gave up and showed glimpses that they are capable of much more. We had the advantage of fresh legs coming on during the second half as the visitors visibly tired.

Discipline is something that needs to be addressed and we gave away far too many penalties. Over-eagerness and frustration contributed to that but on the whole we worked hard for the win that we deserved.

Paul Harris