Crediton 33 - Tiverton 13

LOCAL derbies usually have plenty of talking points and this one was no exception, a red card and a few yellows scattered across the 80 minutes provided many of the talking points.

The penalty count for both sides seemed extraordinarily high and no doubt will be discussed by players and coaches at the next training sessions. The nett result was a victory for the First XV by five tries to one but it was never easy, often feisty and occasionally some smart rugby was thrown in for good measure.

The early exchanges were somewhat one-sided with Tiverton dominating territory and possession and we simply could not get hands on the ball.

The pressure forced a few early penalties for the visitors and the kicks to the corner produced good lineout ball for them but defensively we were strong and for all their huff and puff, all Tivvy had to show for their efforts was a solitary penalty from fly half Callum Stone for a 3-0 lead.

Fair play to them though because only 10 minutes into the game as they were down to 14 men for the duration when they lost a player after an altercation at a scrum and which earned him a red card.

Up to then we had barely touched ball, play had been in our “22” almost constantly.

Despite being a man short, the visitors still pressed and we coughed up another penalty but this time Stone made no mistake and they were 3-0 ahead on 13 minutes.

From the restart we conceded a trio of penalties allowing Tiverton to attack again.

From a lineout, Dan Yendell intercepted and kicked through but Tiverton managed to clear to touch.

We began to put some phases together and the backs with some good handling were beginning to look sharp and Josh Woodland almost squeezed in the corner but Tivvy defended well and kept us out.

On 22 minutes, we were reduced to 14 when Woodland received a yellow card for taking out a Tiverton defender who was in the air catching the ball. Nothing malicious or in fact particularly dangerous, certainly a penalty but maybe a bit harsh for a yellow card.

Minutes later a similar offence by a Tivvy player, again bad timing and nothing more but it brought a yellow card and Tivvy were down to 13 on the pitch.

With the interval approaching, the game turned in our favour, Josh Atkinson charged down a clearance kick and and put Ben Wonnacott away, Atkinson stayed in support and received the return pass and raced in, Ollie Avery-Wright converted and we were ahead 7-3.

Things got even better within a couple of minutes when a quick tap and go penalty from five metres out ended with flanker Matt Arnold crossing, OAW adding the extras. There was just enough time for Tiverton to reduce the arrears with a penalty and we reached the interval with a 14-6 lead.

Early second half pressure in the visitors “22” forced a few penalties as we spread the ball wide from touchline to touchline.

In fairness and despite being a man short, Tiverton had defended pretty well and for all our pressure we were unable to find a way through.

However, on 55 minutes, the ball spread wide to Freddie Borthen was stopped just a few metres short and from the ensuing ruck, Tiverton were penalised and had another yellow card and a penalty try was awarded although to be honest it was difficult to see quite why.

Tiverton were becoming their own worst enemy getting on the wrong side of the referee with some poor discipline.

A succession of penalties lead to the bonus point try with Ben Wonnacott moving to first receiver in a shortened lineout and a perfectly executed backhand inside pass to Dan Yendell opened the gap for the hooker to go through unopposed. OAW converted.

Tiverton battled away but conceded another penalty which was kicked to the corner, the resulting lineout produced a driving maul from which Wonnacott got the touch down.

Tiverton came back in determined fashion and some direct running began to pay dividends, with the referee playing an advantage they managed to break through the defensive line to score a converted try.

The final 10 minutes were played out with tired legs, Tiverton, buoyed by their try continued to play a running game but the defence held firm.

We also ran the ball at every opportunity and chances came and went but there was no addition to the score.

The best chance came from a clever chip over the top from OAW with Kev Dennis winning the chase, he put Josh Pearce away but an excellent cover tackle brought him down short of the line. Tiverton eventually cleared their lines with a penalty.

This was a classic derby game, no quarter asked or given, an attritional battle as each side tried to wear the other down.

Defences were very physical and as time wore on things opened up a bit with both sides running the ball at every opportunity.

Inevitably, Tiverton could point to the early red card as the defining moment but clearly, with both sides conceding penalties, discipline in both camps will need to be addressed.

So honours shared over the season, we are within touching distance of the runners-up spot and I think Tiverton will be happy with a top four finish too.

Paul Harris