SALTASH 10 - CREDITON 27

OUR ninth consecutive victory whilst securing yet another away bonus point was certainly hard earned and well deserved on Saturday, March 2.

Indeed, the general feeling amongst spectators was that having reached the interval with three tries in the bag and a 22-point advantage we could well be looking at a landslide victory especially as we had the slope in our favour.

As it turned out, the home side recovered some composure and dominated the second half to such an extent that we only managed to gain the bonus point with a try two minutes from time.

The early signs were promising and Ollie Avery-Wright put us ahead on seven minutes and minutes’ later full-back Ollie Down came into the line and outpaced the home defence to score in the corner, Avery-Wright added the extras.

We were playing some really attractive rugby and again when called upon, the defence was in superb form to such an extent that the Ashes rarely seen in our “22” for almost the entire first half.

We did miss out on a couple of scoring opportunities but on the half-hour winger Devon Hosegood shook off a couple of defenders to score out wide. The swirling wind made life difficult for kicking although Avery-Wright was only slightly off target with this attempt.

With the interval approaching, lock Josh Lee got the touch down from a driving maul, Avery-Wright converted and by half-time we were 22-0 ahead and not really in any trouble throughout.

There was an air of expectancy from the Crediton supporters that once the bonus point try came, as it inevitably would, then the floodgates would open,

For their part, Saltash had other ideas and suddenly there was a greater passion in their game. They ran at us with some decent handling and some last ditch defending kept them out.

We seemed to have dropped a level, certainly the effort was there but gradually the flow of the game was turning in favour of the home side although for all their possession and territory, they did not get on the scoreboard until 10 minutes from time.

Two unconverted tries followed in quick succession reducing the deficit to 12 points and whilst the chances of us losing were diminishing, the home side were going to look for a losing bonus point.

We did have some opportunities in the second half but failed to take advantage of them and any thoughts of a winning bonus point for us had long since disappeared.

However, the second home try came three minutes from time and we supporters should have remembered that our players continue to battle to the 80th minute.

From our restart kick, we gained possession and the ball came to centre Mark Lee in midfield, his powerful run took him through some despairing tackles to score out wide, the bonus point secured.

Our ninth consecutive victory kept the pressure on Sidmouth at the top of the table. We remain two points behind and of course we welcome them to Blagdon tomorrow, Saturday, March 9 to begin a run of three successive games against the other three promotion contenders.

After Sidmouth we go to Wellington and then to St Austell before ending the month with a home game against Tiverton. Four games which will almost certainly decide who goes up and who makes the play-off.

A performance such as we produced in the first half against Saltash will go a long way to getting the results that we want. The top four have pulled away with a 15-point gap to fifth place although we have the hardest run in of the promotion contenders.

This time last season we were in an exciting battle to avoid relegation (even if we didn’t think so at the time!) A year later an equally exciting battle lay ahead at the opposite end of the table.

We have the ability and desire so hopefully we shall march on in March!

DEVONPORT 2NDS 34 - CREDITON SECONDS 5

The ‘Quins came up against a powerful Devonport side that had a bit too much firepower outside. We did not play badly and indeed had a few chances to score but were unable to take them.

Tom Luxmoor got our solitary score but this was by no means a poor performance. Devonport were indeed a side full of experience with a distinct weight advantage in the forwards although they were unable to get the better of the young ‘Quins forwards who played with discipline and a huge amount of passion and indeed impressed the home crowd with their performance.

A couple of errors at critical moments gifted Devonport two breakaway tries. Add to that being held up on the Devonport line on three occasions and had things gone our way the outcome could have been different.

As it was we had to settle for a try from hooker Tom Luxmoor who completed a good handling move with a score out wide.

The home players and supporters were impressed with our display and felt that this was a young side with a big future.

CREDITON COLTS 17 - TAVISTOCK COLTS 13

The Colts welcomed Tavistock to Blagdon, looking to extend their impressive run in the Devon Colts Plate League.

Despite winning the reverse fixture, the coaches and players were very aware of the threat that Tavistock would bring. That threat soon became obvious for all and we were treated to a real ding dong battle that could have gone either way.

The opening exchanges were even enough but as the first half progressed the Moorlanders began to dominate possession and territory.

The Kirton lads were a little passive in defence and grateful for some handling errors that thwarted promising Tavistock attacks.

We did have some moments but couldn’t get much continuity and were guilty of coughing up the ball.

It took some time for the first score but it wasn’t too much of a surprise when Tavistock took the lead with a try out wide five minutes before half-time. The conversion was missed and we were 0-5 down.

Going behind seemed to stir our boys into life and, having regained the kick off, we were able to apply some pressure for the final few minutes of the half.

We upped our intensity and after a good passage of play, Harry Poole drove over to level the scores.

The second half began with Tavistock on the offensive and they extended their lead with a second try. We certainly weren’t firing on all cylinders but were not being allowed to play a strong and determined Tavistock defence.

However, a well worked try by Tyler Farley levelled the scores once more before a Tavistock penalty put them 10-13 ahead.

At this point, Tavistock looked favourites to see the game out. As with the first half, we found an extra gear as time was running out.

With attacks through the forwards repelled, we got the ball wide for Farley to get over for his second try.

Sam Wilson converted and the final whistle blew for a 17-13 victory.

This was a really entertaining game and while the lads will admit it wasn’t their best performance, they showed great heart, character and determination to get the win.

Well done lads!

Tavistock played their part too and no-one could have argued if the result had been the other way.

Top effort all round from both sides.

Jay Harris