Ilfracombe 43 Crediton 3rds 14

WITH plenty to play for the 3rds travelled to third-placed Ilfracombe and found a very different side to that which we played at home.

With a few new players, their team has been transformed and the 3rds were given a bit of a lesson in finishing as the new recruits carved a few holes with some running rugby. It took a huge defensive effort to keep the score down during a first half of relentless home attacks.

The second half, again rather like the Barnstaple game a couple of weeks ago, we came to life and really started playing with some strong running up the slope and great communication resulting in Euan Phillip darting through the defence to score.

After more pressure in the hosts’ 22 it was Tariq Sayers who crashed over in the corner.

Owen Cooper landed two conversions and we kept Ilfracombe at bay for a while. They finally received two yellow cards after numerous warnings but it was unfortunately too late for us and Ilfracombe ended deserving winners.

Many thanks go to our hosts and we wish them all the best for their last few games of the season. I must say that the genuine Ilfracombe players that we've played against for years were very kind with their words on our success this season which is appreciated.

Naturally, the players are disappointed with the result and, whilst it probably won’t affect their chance of making the semi-final of the David Butt Memorial Trophy, it has opened the door to Barnstaple 3rds to sneak the top spot in the merit table and thus a home tie in the semi-final.

All is not lost but just a tad more difficult, the guys will bounce back.

Paul Harris