Truro 23 - Crediton 29

CREDITON Rugby Club First XV started the season on Saturday, September 7, where they left off last year, with a trip to Truro looking to avenge the 19-24 defeat suffered back in April.

The return of Luke Mingo after missing the best part of two seasons with a serious injury was very welcome.

We started the game as if we were in an Olympic 100 metre sprint and had seven points on the board before a minute was clocked.

The quick handling of the backs made ground from the kick off and scrum half Ed Brady put a deft kick through the home defence, the bounce beat the fullback and it was Josh Davey who was on hand to touch down, Ollie Avery-Wright converted.

We were playing with a great deal of pace which was causing the home defence problems.

However, the home side reduced the arrears with a penalty as we were caught offside in our own half.   The gap was narrowed to a single point with another penalty, again for offside at the scrum although it was generally felt to be a somewhat harsh decision as the ball seemed to be out of the scrum and available to play. 

That seemed to spur the players on and within two minutes a second try was scored and again the backs produced some sparkling rugby from side to side eventually drawing the home defence and leaving space out wide.

A long miss pass to Josh Woodland who scored in the corner, the conversion drifted wide. Truro had their moments as an attacking force but defensively we were able to cope with anything thrown at us.

On the half hour, the third try was scored and again good handling with second row Chris Courtier joining in and making good ground.

His offload was timed perfectly to winger Josh Hall who went over in the corner, again the difficult conversion missed its mark.

Within five minutes a fourth and the bonus point try was recorded.

Again the backs featured prominently and centre Freddie Blackburn drew that last defender before putting Hall in for his second of the day which went unconverted.

The scoring was not finished and right on half time another good move from the backs and a clever chip through gave Blackburn the chance to race onto and regather the ball to score try number five. OAW added the extras for a 29-6 interval lead.

The start of the second half saw a complete change in the weather as the heavens opened and with it a change in the nature of the game.

The home side must have had a few words at the break and they came out all guns blazing.

However, despite taking the game to us, the defence held firm and matched anything that came our way restricting any scoring opportunities.

We began to concede penalties at an almost alarming rate and we were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card.

Truro finally got their opening try from a penalty kicked to the corner and from the lineout they set up a driving maul for a converted try.

The penalty count against us continued and the momentum had switched to the home side and their second try followed when their forwards took control of the ball and ran at our defence, forcing their way over for another converted try.

This was soon followed by a penalty for a high tackle and Truro opted to take the points to bring them within six points.

The final minutes saw us defend with determination and we held out until the final whistle for a 29-23 win.

A hugely positive start to the season with a bonus point win away from home although the penalty count is something that needs to be addressed.

Crediton Quins 10 - Newcross 5

The opening league game for the Quins brought last season’s runners-up to Blagdon and with both teams among the favourites for the promotion spot, a tough encounter was undoubtedly on the cards.

So it proved to be, Newcross arrived with a powerful set of forwards and for the opening exchanges they looked threatening, dominating possession and forcing the Quins onto the backfoot.

It took eight minutes for their early pressure to pay off. Opting to kick a penalty to the corner, they won the resulting lineout and the driving maul ended with a try for No8 Rob Pedrick.

The Quins took a while to settle but gradually managed to work their way into the game.  A bit more possession and we were able to use the backs to good effect.

Unfortunately, early season rustiness seemed to affect the handling and a number of opportunities went to ground.

However, we were dominating possession and territory and eventually the pressure paid off.

Despite losing our own lineout – a bit of a handicap during the game – a clearance kick was well fielded  and we set up another attack which ended with winger Callum Yeandle crossing in the corner. The conversion drifted wide and the score remained all square at the interval 5-5.

The second half was an attritional battle and we continued to keep the pressure on although the visitors defended extremely well aided and abetted by some disappointing handling.

Nonetheless the pressure eventually paid off and a series of phases close to the Newcross line ended with Macca Jones going over, the conversion attempt struck the post.

Newcross were spurred into action knowing a converted try could win them the game and it was their turn to apply pressure. They were held up over the line on two occasions as our defence was stretched to the limit but which did hold out to the final whistle.

There was very little to choose between the sides and the return game, which is the final league game, should provide a very interesting end to the league programme.

The average age of the squad is 22 which is hugely encouraging with a number of last years Colts showing up well, Sam Kibbey at hooker seemed undaunted by the size of the opposing front row, Ben Baxter and Ben Harris showed up well in the back row and second row respectively.

Harvey Murfitt made an impact when he came off the bench as did Josh Edwards.

It was good to see Tom Hunt back in the centre after taking a season out and likewise Sam Brook who is back in action after a few seasons away from the game. Will Crang at flanker was outstanding, his defence was fearless and came to the rescue on a number of occasions.

A bit more emphasis on the lineout work and brushing up on some handling skills and the Quins will be very difficult to beat this season.

Torrington 5 - Crediton Thirds 12

Our first Merit Table game of the season saw us travel to Torrington who have joined the Merit Table this season.

It was a very different game to last week’s free flowing rugby as we concentrated on ball retention, defence and 100 per cent Kirton grit to keep a strong Torrington side at bay. The forwards were in dominant form and had the better of things at scrum time with the front row of Tomic, Cook and Ellis in fine form.

Bradley Baker as always leading the strong defence in the backs and followed suit by Ben Rodd and his back row partner Greg B Phillips taking down anything that came their way!

It was a day for intelligent decision making and skipper Joe Crocker had no problem in accepting points when they were on offer whenever the home side infringed.

The reliable boot and calm head of fullback Owen Cooper was on-hand to lead us to victory with four successful kicks at goal!  This was a fantastic start to the season and long may it continue! 

Huge thanks to Torrington for a warm and friendly welcome and wish them all the best for the season and also thank them for a fantastic post-match meal of roast meats and spuds and a selection of puddings which really topped off the day for the lads!

Crediton Colts 13 - Devonport Colts 24

The young Colts side put up a decent showing, especially with a number of players playing out of position.

Devonport are a strong Colts side this year and will probably be one of the favourites for a trophy. Tries from Harry Gulley and Archie Bridgman plus a penalty from Jake Kibbey were the Colts points scorers.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the First XV make the short trip to Cullompton in what will no doubt prove to be another tough fixture.

Cully were narrowly defeated at Wellington in their opening game and will be looking to start their home fixtures with a win and we shall need to be at our best to come away with a result.

The Quins have an early season break with no fixture but the Thirds host Topsham Thirds in the Merit Table whilst the Colts travel to Ivybridge.

Paul Harris