Crediton 50 - Cullompton 19

THE final home league game of 2024 for Crediton RFC First XV on December 14 provided much festive cheer for the home supporters but not much joy for the visitors who nonetheless played their part in an entertaining game.

With both sides missing several regulars, it was the strength in depth of Crediton that proved a significant difference.

Both sides showed a willingness to spread the ball wide whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Where the hosts held a distinct advantage was at the lineouts and scrums giving scrum half James Dodge a regular supply of good ball to get the backs moving.

We opened the scoring with only 90 seconds on the clock, an early penalty was kicked to the corner and the resulting driving maul ended with lock Josh Atkinson forcing his way over, Ollie Avery-Wright converted.

Ten minutes in and a second try from a lineout, albeit a very different one as Cullompton took a quick one which was intercepted by James Dodge who passed to Josh Pearce who galloped away from the “22” to score under the posts, OAW again adding the extras.

Cullompton responded and a period of pressure brought no reward and, despite plenty of possession they were unable to penetrate a solid home defence.

A turnover in midfield saw Atkinson break down the centre before offloading to flanker Matt Arnold who was subsequently tackled five metres out.

However, quick ruck ball and the ball was moved wide and centre Josh Goldman went over for try number three with OAW converting.

Cully were forced into conceding penalties and more quick thinking from the Crediton side with a tap and go saw prop Tom Luxmoore go over in the corner for the bonus point score, OAW maintaining his 100 per cent record with the extras for and interval lead of 28-0.

The second half started well for the visitors as we conceded a penalty, and a tap and go the kick to the corner was followed by a lineout and driving maul.

We were caught out when visiting prop Tom Parker came around the blind side to score in the corner, the difficult conversion failed to find its mark.

We then set up our own attack and a flowing move ended with a penalty try being awarded for a deliberate knock on when we had a three man overlap and looked certain to score.

Back came Cully as they refused to give up and a series of attacks looked to have been repelled until centre Matt Whitlock broke several tackles to race through and score at the posts. Fullback Josh Luxon added the two points.

We were certainly not content with sitting on a comfortable lead and another driving maul following a lineout was finished off by hooker Dan Yendell.

Next it was replacement winger Josh Hall who added his name to the scoresheet. A relieving kick from OAW was chased hard by Charlie Gribble who did really well to win the aerial battle for the ball.

We then won the resulting ruck and the ball spread wide to OAW who made a superb break upfield before a perfectly timed pass to Hall put the winger for a 30 metre dash to the line.

Again, Cully responded and a good flowing move ended with winger Zak May going over in the corner, Luxon landed a difficult conversion.

With the final play of the game, a Cullompton scrum on their own five metre line was won against the head and we forced the visiting pack over their line for Jake Clarke to touch down for the half century of points.

It was really good to see a number of “Second XV” regulars step up a level and fit seamlessly into the senior XV.

Much of that is due to the Quins now playing in a very competitive league themselves and has raised the standard of Second XV rugby and at the same time raised expectations.

James Dodge was in good form and Josh Atkinson proved a force in the second row. Centre Kev Dennis is settling in well having strung few games together and his experience is proving invaluable.

For their part, Cullompton had more possession and dominated territory but it all comes down to what you do with the ball when you have it and how you defend when you don’t. It was an entertaining game and both sides played their part. There will be plenty of headaches for the Crediton selectors next week.

Paul Harris