Topsham 55 - Crediton 32

CREDITON RFC First XV took a four-point advantage to Topsham from the first leg of the Intermediate Cup Semi-Final and the players were under no illusions as to the task ahead just to hold on to that lead.

Topsham have proved themselves a quality side throughout the season and in fairness, honours have been even over our league meetings.

A good attack came to an end when No8 Sam Westcott ran a good line but the pass to him did not stick and the chance was gone.

However, on 15 minutes, Topsham infringed and Ollie Avery-Wright, playing at scrum half for the day, slotted the penalty for a 3-0 lead.

Any joy was short lived as the home side hit back and went through several phases before spreading the ball wide for a converted try.

Play was evenly contested and it was Topsham who added to their score on 26 minutes when a good move through their threequarters and a missed tackle provided the gap to exploit for a try.

We responded quickly and within three minutes, with a break by centre Josh Goldman, took play deep into the home half, lock forward Matt Arnold was doing what any lock forward would do up in support of the threequarters and be on-hand to receive the pass and race through for the try.  OAW added the extras.

Topsham then extended their lead from a lineout and again a missed tackle allowed them through for another converted try.

In the closing minutes of the half, both sides traded penalties and the interval arrived with Topsham ahead 22-13.

Within six minutes we were three points ahead, a trademark barnstorming break by flanker Will Crang broke the home defence and it was Josh Pearce on-hand to take the pass and run in for a try, converted by OAW, who then landed a penalty.

Topsham began to play with a bit more urgency and after several pick and go’s created driving maul to force their way over for a converted try.

From then on it was all Topsham whose constant running was impressive and they ran in another three tries as we tired somewhat.

We did, however, have the final word when fullback Jack Arnott intercepted a pass and raced in for a try under the posts, OAW converted for a final score of 55-32.

Another high scoring game between these two sides, four games in all, two wins apiece, 316 points and 47 tries, a remarkable set of statistics.

For the neutral, it was a very good game and certainly on the day Topsham deserved their victory and progress to the final.

We competed well for the first 60 minutes but once the scoreboard started going away from us and tiredness crept in we fell away but did have the final word.

That now completes our season and we can be generally satisfied with the way things went. The strength in depth within the Club has been tested and players have certainly come to the fore.

With a number of Colts coming through there will plenty of challenges for places in both First and Second XV’s.

Topsham 2nd XV triumph over Crediton RFC

Crediton Quins 26 - Topsham 48

It will be Topsham Second XV engraved on the Second XV Shield for this season after their third victory over the Quins this season.

They certainly fully deserved their victory to secure the League and Cup double in an outstanding season for them.

We did take an early lead with a try when Tom O’Donnell forced his way over, Tom Ronchetti added the extras but sadly, that is as good as it got.

By the time the interval arrived, we found ourselves 7-33 behind and the prospect of a long second half.

A try from Matt Pearce converted by Ronchetti seemed to give us a glimmer of hope, although the visitors did add another try for a 48-14 lead.

Once again though we showed some resilience and passion and Ben Baxter added a try with Ronchetti converting.

As with the First XV we did have the final word when the evergreen Kevin Ellis bagged a try but it was ultimately too little too late.

There was consolation in the knowledge that we did win the second half.

Another Crediton v Topsham high scoring game as both sides play an entertaining brand of rugby.

Topsham will of course go up a level and we shall once again battle it out in the same league.

Skipper Chris Hooper, whilst disappointed with the result, was happy in the knowledge that the players had always given 100 per cent and is looking forward to starting over again next season.

Paul Harris