Crediton 18 - Topsham 17

THE table top clash on February 15 between Crediton and Topsham produced an entreating game in very difficult conditions which didn’t help either side.

The league leaders winning run was finally brought to a halt although it is unlikely that the defeat will adversely affect their bid for promotion.

So, victory it was for us, albeit hard earned and, not for the first time this season, by the skin of our teeth with only a single point in it.

Just when the home support thought all was lost and the visitors on the point of cheering another victory, we entered the last play of the game trailing by two points.

The forwards kept the phases going before skipper Ollie Avery-Wright positioned himself for an attempt at a drop goal.

In view of the conditions, the decision might well have seemed questionable and was probably the decision of last resort but nonetheless the ball sailed between the posts and victory was secured.

A brave decision from the skipper but, as they say, fortune favours the brave and a happy home crowd returned to the bar to discuss the events of the previous 80 minutes.

An early Topsham came to nothing and Crediton countered earning a penalty on the visitors 10 metre line was kicked to the corner.

The resulting lineout was won and we set up an excellent driving maul and a try looked on the cards.

We went to ground short of the line and then conceded a penalty for holding on.

Topsham cleared to touch and then they attacked but suffered a similar fate when conceding a penalty when in a good position.

On the quarter hour mark, we did take the lead as Topsham were pinged for offside and Ollie Avery-Wright set the scoreboard moving landing the three points.

Within minutes though it was the visitors who looked to have taken the lead but were held up over the line.

They were not to be denied and from a scrum on our “22” we were exposed down the middle and they scored under the posts for an easy seven pointer.

Play went from end to end as both sides tried open and flowing rugby, ignoring the conditions.

Yes there were mistakes as the teams went toe to toe.

With the interval fast approaching we had a rare lineout win five metres out and the subsequent driving maul ended with hooker Dan Yendell doing what all hookers do, find himself at the bottom of a maul with his hands safely grounding the ball. The conversion was well struck but drifted wide but we were ahead by a single point.

Having disappeared into the changing room during the interval, the visitors seemed reluctant to reappear but of course eventually did so.

Seven minutes into the second half, the visitors took the lead after a period of intense pressure as we camped in their “22”.

A penalty gave Topsham an easy get out and they cleared to halfway. A couple of set plays in midfield left us exposed out wide and they attacked down the touchline finishing off with a pass inside for a well taken score. The conversion missed its mark and they led 12-8.

Both sides continued to throw the ball around and for a while we held the upper hand territorially but could not break the Topsham defence.

A penalty was kicked to the corner and we won our lineout to set up another driving maul before sending the ball wide and it was Josh Goldman who broke the tackles and scored. OAW landed the extras and we were ahead 15-12.

With 10 minutes remaining, it became clear that the visitors were not going to give up their proud record without a battle and they worked their way upfield and a ruck under our posts was won and the ball spread wide.

A long miss pass to their left winger saw him squeeze over in the corner, the conversion missed but they were two points clear at 17-15.

With four minutes remaining, we had a tremendous opportunity to retake the lead with a penalty, one which OAW would normally pop over with his eyes shut but this time the effort went narrowly wide and the chance was gone.

Minutes later though the error was rectified in true 2003 Johnny Wilkinson style with a dramatic drop goal followed immediately by the final whistle.

The most underestimated and under used method of bagging three points always comes to the fore in the final moments of a game in a win or lose situation, the success of the kick so often deciding the result. Well done OAW, brilliantly done, it was never in doubt!

The result keeps us in second place in the league on 71 points, although there are three other sides who have not given up on the idea of a second place finish. Tiverton, who we play at home on March 8, are five points behind us on 66, Wadebridge a further two points behind on 64 and Okehampton four points further back on 60.

Our run in is not easy with games away at North Petherton and Wellington and at home against Tiverton and Truro.

Tiverton have home games against Wellington and Cullompton and away fixtures at Crediton and Newton Abbot.

Wadebridge have home fixtures with Teignmouth and North Petherton and home games against Teignmouth and Topsham. Okehampton have three home games against Truro, Winscombe and Topsham with an away game at Teignmouth.

Everything could go down to the final game but we all have a league free Saturday this weekend before the final run in begins.

Paul Harris