Crediton Colts 14 - Torquay Colts 19

CREDITON RFC Colts were fortunate to arrange a home fixture with a strong Torquay side and the crowd was provided with some excellent entertainment.

The only thing that detracted from the spectacle was that the entire game was played with non-contested scrums.

It seems that although the visitors appeared to enjoy the physicality of the game, they had an aversion to proper scrummaging despite having the requisite number of front row forwards available, it seems two were hookers and one was a prop. Still, a game is a game… of sorts.

Torquay gained an early initiative as their backs threatened on a couple of occasions but the Crediton defence was equal to the task and their confidence grew as the game went on.

Clearly though there was never going to be much in it at the final whistle.

We took the lead midway through the first half with a well worked try from close range after several phases, Shay Wheeler getting the touch down and George Baxter converting.

Within minutes, Torquay were level when they kicked to the corner and from the resulting lineout forced their way over, the conversion levelled things.

Certainly, the passive scrums were a huge benefit to Torquay as that is an area of strength for the Crediton lads and of course it made life much easier for the Tics threequarters who had some pace.

They took the lead with an unconverted try shortly before the interval.

The second half continued with a similar pattern, defences generally on top and chances few and far between.

The Colts then grabbed the lead with another forward try, this time Sam Cliff getting the touch down with Baxter converting for a two point lead.

With time running out though, Torquay did have the final word with an unconverted try to take the spoils 19-14.

A somewhat feisty game at times and the Crediton side were never going to take a backward step when push came to shove.

Both sides though showed some clever play and, had we been allowed to scrummage properly then the result could well have been different.

Paul Harris