THE New Year has been ushered in with little fuss so far as rugby is concerned, certainly the recent round of the professional version of the game has spanned the old and the new year’s but further down the pyramid, other than the challenges of festive rugby, things have been relatively quiet.

Of course the break will be a bonus for players to have a bit of recovery time although on the other hand, the longer the break then it could take a bit more time to get into the rhythm of playing competitively each week.

Whichever way we look at it, 2023 will doubtless prove a challenging year for all Crediton XV’s.

With only one promotion spot available, the First XV will have to rely on help from other Clubs if we are to overhaul current leaders St Austell whilst at the same time avoiding dropping many points ourselves.

At the moment we have one game in-hand on the leaders, but are 12 points adrift.

That gap can be reduced to two points if we win that game in-hand and also defeat St Austell at home on February 18.

Achieve those two targets and maybe the improving force that is Wadebridge get the better of the Saints as well then it will be a tight race to the finish line.

For the Quins, it is a little more straightforward, simply win all their remaining games and promotion will almost be guaranteed.

We have a game in-hand over the current leaders OPM Firsts and are four points behind in what would seem to be a two horse race as third place Okehampton Seconds are 13 points behind.

The trip to Plymouth to play OPM’s on February 18 will probably be the defining weekend of the season for the Quins, although the 36-8 home win against them back in November should give the Quins encouragement.

As previously reported the Hornets have made steady progress this season and although there is no promotion or relegation from the Devon Merit Table, then a top half finish should not be beyond them.

The current league table is only showing positions from games played and does not include any walkovers as time has been given for those games to be rescheduled.

In the event that games are not rescheduled then the adjustments will be made in favour of the non offending side.

So far as the ladies are concerned, a memorable first half of the season with a 100 per cent win record. The quest is simple, just keep winning and the Championship is won!

Good luck to all teams in 2023, the effort from everyone in 2022 was superb, keep that momentum going and 2023 will be even better.

The year 2023 kicks off on Saturday, January 7 with the First XV at home against Wellington and the Seconds at home against Cullompton Seconds both are league encounters and neither will be easy.

The Hornets will be making a bee line to Teignmouth to take on the Westcountry Wasps in a friendly. The Colts travel to Bideford for a rescheduled Cup fixture.

Paul Harris