Exeter Engineers 22 - Crediton Quins 29

FOLLOWING two weeks where the Quins have confirmed themselves as league Champions and then won the Second XV Shield, anything coming after that might be considered an anti-climax.

However, the players were determined to maintain the momentum and bag another victory.

The Engineers are a difficult side to beat, they gave us a really good game not so long ago and are certainly capable of beating many of the sides in the league. Any thoughts of a win being guaranteed never entered the players’ heads.

The game started at a furious pace with both sides carrying hard which was countered by some good defensive effort.

The pace of the Engineers was always going to be a threat and indeed they were the first to score with a try out wide although the conversion was missed.

The Quins came back strongly and replacement Bobby Saunders fought his way over for a try which Tom Ronchetti duly converted. The students responded and again their backs worked the ball well and scored a second try, this time the conversion was successful and they reached the interval with a 12-7 lead.

From the restart, the game followed a similar pattern with both teams attacking and defending well.

The Quins were putting width on the ball but were caught with an interception from the home winger who raced away to score, the conversion left us trailing 7-19. The Quins reacted to the setback and scrum half James Dodge nipped in for a try after some clever footwork to bring us back within a score.

A penalty saw the students extend their lead but we were not about to surrender without putting up a fight.

Again, we attacked the home line and the arrears were reduced with a Ben Baxter try to bring us within five points and it was certainly anyone’s game.

The Quins emptied the bench and fresh legs had the desired effect especially with the forwards taking control at the scrum. The Engineers had a scrum on their own five metre line and a huge effort from the Quins eight won the ball and No8 Chris Hooper went over to level the score.

With time running out, another tremendous Quins scrum saw Hooper repeat the exercise and this time it was Ollie Chandler-Sullivan who added the extras for a final score of 29-22 to the Quins.

Whilst our position at the top of the league and the promotion that goes with it is secured, the final game at New Cross on April 5 will have some relevance.

New Cross are desperately keen to hang on to the runners-up spot and will be all out to gain a bonus point win in order to prevent North Tawton from snatching second place.

On Saturday, the First XV travel to Okehampton for the most important of the remaining games, the final of the Devon Senior Shield. The kick off is 2.30pm and no doubt the players will welcome the support.

With one league game remaining for the First XV, Truro at home on April 5, we will finish as runners-up which it has to be said is an improvement on the 2023-24 finish in fourth position.

The Quins and Thirds have no game whilst the Colts travel to South Molton and the Vets host Exmouth.

Paul Harris