Exeter Engineers Seconds 19 - Crediton Thirds 27

CREDITON RFC Third XV took full advantage of their game in hand on the teams above them in the Merit Table with a hard-earned victory over the Engineers Second XV, earning a bonus point victory to take them to the top of the Merit Table.

The Engineers have been a welcome addition to the Merit Table with their Second XV and always a pleasure to play against.

Being University Students, they usually enjoy a running game but these days the Thirds have much more of a youthful look about them with, of course, some experienced heads to help them along.

The Thirds started strongly with No 8 Ben Rodd showing no signs of fatigue having played for Devon Young Farmers the previous evening.

He led from the front along with his back row partners, Ben Baxter and Liam Staite.

The second row pairing of Paul Ratchford and James Timms were constant threats as they disrupted the Engineers lineout.

The front row of Jon Gurzynski, Kevin (Peter Pan) Ellis and Lewis Cook certainly had the measure of the opposition. Joe Wreford, Richard Gray and Macca Jones were the ideal back up when they came off the bench.

The Backs were in fine form as always with Owen Cooper and Joe Warren working very well at nine and 10, the evergreen Bradley Baker and experienced Sam Rowe forcing the attack out wide with a solid midfield defence.

The back three of Harry Hustwayte (who also played for Devon Young Farmers the night before) Josh Edwards and Timmy Osborne had their work cut out with the fast paced university boys throwing everything at them but they held firm and also got involved with some silky backs moves in attack.

With Mike Snell and Paddy Elworthy making a return to rugby after a lengthy layoff and causing the Engineers defence some issues!

Sam Rowe enjoyed his new position of centre using his strength and pace to storm over for two tries, Kevin Ellis, who began scoring senior XV tries back in 1990, broke off the back of a ruck to crash over for a try.

Liam Staite claimed a try which was just reward for the strong performance he put in all game and Paddy Elworthy came off the bench and scored in the corner within minutes of being on the pitch.

Credit to the Engineers who put up a strong contest for the full 80 and were gracious in defeat in a game that could have been very different if it wasn't for our brilliant communication and determination!

We wish them all the best for the rest of the season and look forward to seeing them at Blagdon.

On Saturday, the Firsts and Quins return to league action, for the former, it is the top of the table clash at Topsham and the latter host Exeter Athletic.

The Thirds travel to Honiton for another tough Merit Table fixture and the Colts also travel to Topsham.

Paul Harris