THE pre-season warm up games at Crediton Rugby Club continued with an evening game under lights on the River Pitch for the First XV against a strong Taunton side. 

Despite the 19-24 defeat, this proved an invaluable workout and was indeed an entertaining game and provided an opportunity for 26 players to stake a claim for a First team spot.

There is certainly more strength in depth this season with an influx of players from last season’s Colts and the return of Luke Mingo, after a long lay off through injury plus the addition of a couple of new recruits in centre, Kevin Dennis and hooker Dan Batten.

There are also a few players who have yet to make an appearance who will add to the selection problems for the coaching staff!

Winger Josh Hall has got his season off to a flying start with a hat-trick of tries against Taunton to add to the ones already scored in the previous trial games.

The Quins had another good runout, this time against Exeter Saracens First XV and we edged a closely fought encounter 42-37.

The Seconds look to be even stronger than last season and hopes are high for a real shot at the promotion spot.

Sarries First XV play a league higher than the Quins so this was certainly an impressive result.

Dan Batten and Joe Warren each touched down twice and there was a try apiece for Chris Hooper and Josh Atkinson. Tom Ronchetti landed five conversions and there was one from Joe Dodge. An impressive 100 per cent conversion rate for the afternoon.

Not to be out done the following week, the Thirds entertained Exeter Saracens Seconds and in yet another close encounter came out on top 35-31.  It was a cracking day for a game of grass roots rugby and also a last chance for the threes to try a few things and get things right for the new season!

A great mixture of youth with old and new faces put on a fine performance for a decent crowd at Blagdon!

A special mention to our young backs who put in a superb effort with some flowing rugby made even more impressive as they had little or no game time together until the game

Sarries were great opponents and I'd say we were rather evenly matched but we just managed to take the win with a few points!

Discipline was something of an issue and we shall work to reduce the penalty count for future games.

Tries from Bradley Baker, Joe Warren, Henry Howard, Ben Rodd and Reece Cummings with three conversions from Owen Cooper and two from Joe Warren secured the win.

The Colts travelled to Cullompton for a friendly fixture and both sides are in much of a transition with not many second year Colts available.

However, it proved an entertaining game and a confidence boost for our boys who came away with a 33-14 victory. The tries came from Tom Ayre, Archie Bridgeman, Sam Cliff, Sam Walker and Sam Borthen. Jake Kibbey landed four conversions.

On Saturday, September 7, the league season gets under way with a trip to our most westerly destination, Truro, the scene of our final league game last season when we were defeated 19-24.

No doubt we shall be looking to start the campaign by reversing that result.

Three of our opening four games are away from home and it will be important to pick up wins on our travels but games in this league are not easy with some tough opponents to be faced.

The Quins host Newcross who pipped us to the runners-up spot last season.

We won comfortably on their ground early in the season but they put some form together in the second half of the season and surprised us by winning here in the return game. 

Hopefully, no slip ups at home this season.

The Thirrds begin their Merit Table campaign with a trip to Torrington who withdrew from the league last season and have decided to regroup in the Merit Table.

The Thirds did travel there towards the end of the season and lost very narrowly in a fairly physical encounter. The players will have learned much from that game and judging from the form shown in the trial games, there is every chance of coming away with a result.

The Colts host Devonport in the opening round of the Colts Cup Competition and I am sure we can look forward to an entertaining game.

Whilst it is sad to the Summer pass by, it is always reassuring to know that when it does, Saturday afternoons can get back to normal and there will always be rugby to watch at the Blagdon ground. 

Paul Harris