Crediton Thirds 48 - Devonport Services Thirds 5

THE success of the First and Second XV’s in adding to the silverware in the trophy cabinet during the season has been quite remarkable.

The victories for the Firsts at Okehampton meant that the Frank Webb Cup returned to Blagdon and also the Devon Senior Shield were retained.

In addition, the Geoff Warne Memorial Trophy against Teignmouth stayed at EX17 for another season.

For the Quins it was the league Champions plaque and the Second XV Shield.

So with six trophies banked during the season you might think adding to them might be considered a tad greedy.

Well the Thirds have indeed made it seven trophies having won the Devon Merit Table in some style and are keen to make it eight when they meet Barnstaple Thirds in the David Butt Memorial Trophy final at Crediton on May 3.

However, in order to reach that final, there would be the matter of overcoming last season’s beaten finalists Devonport Services Thirds in the semi-final, no easy task.

This Third XV though is a tough and talented bunch and perhaps a cut above the normal Third XV that clubs become accustomed to and they certainly know how to entertain and win games.

The semi-final was no exception although to be fair the opening 10 minutes gave no hint as to how the game would unfold.

The visitors, who were also a team with a blend of youth and experience, had us pegged in our “22” during that opening spell.

Defensively, we were outstanding and we certainly had to be as Services laid siege to our line.

Gradually though the confidence grew and we turned over possession and cleared our lines.

That confidence was given an even greater boost with our first foray into the Devonport “22” on 15 minutes and it was our own “pocket battleship” Tom O’Donnell who simply proved unstoppable, forcing his way to the line from 15 metres out. The reliable boot of the ever calm Tom Cooper landed an excellent conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Ten minutes later the lead had doubled. Having lost our own lineout in an attacking position, we recovered to regain possession and the ball moved quickly to the backs where Joe Warren was on hand to jink his way over, Tom Cooper adding the extras before popping over a penalty which put us three scores clear.

It was not all one way traffic as Services tried to battle their way back into the game with some sharp runs from their scrum half but always the home defence was up to the task and snuffed out any threat.

With the interval approaching, quick thinking from lock Ash Bradnock with a tap and go penalty before putting O’Donnell in for a second try in the corner, the conversion drifted wide but at 22-0 we were looking comfortable at the break.

The second half started with an early try after somewhat almost comical circumstances with neither side seeming able to control possession as the ball bobbled here and there before Warren seized the loose ball and dashed through for his second, Cooper landed the conversion and more or less put the game to bed.

This was followed by what was probably the best handling move of the game with forwards and backs enjoying moments of Barbarian style rugby, passes going to hand in a surge upfield, sadly ending with a penalty against us for not releasing at the tackle.

A brief rally by the visitors showed what they were capable of and again it was their scrum half whose run set things up with a kick and chase up the touchline to score in the corner, the conversion missed its mark.

With the Threes pack totally dominating the scrum the visitors were constantly under pressure and forced to concede penalties. Another quick tap and go and it was flanker Ben Gillard who forced his way over, the accurate boot of Cooper once again added to the score.

The remaining minutes were all about the Thirds, No8 Ben Rodd scored a superb solo try from half way as he proved unstoppable.

This was soon followed by try number seven and this time it was Deyan Tomic whose power to weight ratio proved too much for the visiting defenders as he forced his way over. Cooper added the extras for one of them.

This was a huge performance from the Thirds and the whole dynamic of Third team rugby seems to be changing, certainly at Crediton.

This team is a mixture of youth an experience, a side that has developed over the past couple of seasons and so well led by skipper John Gurzynski.

The team is no longer simply the staging post for end of career players but has become an excellent stepping stone for younger players coming out of age grade rugby. There are players in this team who would without doubt, look at home in the Quins which can only contribute to the strength in depth that we enjoy at Crediton.

And so we move on to the final, Barnstaple Thirds are the current Cup holders and will be keen to retain the trophy.

In the Merit Table, honours ended even with each side winning the home game and over the two games only a single point separated the two teams, in our favour. Barnstaple overcame the Plymouth Medics 40-7 in the other semi-final.

May 3 promises a great game of rugby between two evenly matched teams so mark the day in your diary and come along and support the Thirds.

Paul Harris