CREDITON RFC "former players" sponsored the match that never was after scheduled league opponents, bottom placed Liskeard, withdrew from the fixture and conceded the game.

The situation was made even worse when Bude Seconds cried off the game against Crediton 'Quins at short notice.

Fortunately, Okehampton Seconds were also without a fixture and they kindly agreed to make the journey to Blagdon to fill the void.

Thanks are due to Trevor Sanders and Jay Harris whose organisational skills brought in excess of 100 former players to the game and a wonderful day was had by all.

It was a pleasure to see some of the younger ex-players attending for the first time, notably James Janion, Michael Errington, Graham Webber, George Clover, Paul Hargreaves and a few others.

With them were regular attendees such as Alec Colton, Mike Leach, Peter Howison, David Kemp, Mick May, Mick Leyman, Morley Yeandle, Paul Evans and many, many more.

Some had travelled a long distance, Johnny Bush came down from the Midlands, Kevin Tarling currently living in North Devon, Paul Martin from Bristol and Geoff Williams making the long trip from Stockport, all contributed to a hugely successful day.

Of course, reminiscing was name of the game, memories of days gone by when rugby was a proper game and distances became greater as tries from five metres out suddenly were scored from the half-way line, wonderful stuff.

The chosen charity for the day was Devon Air Ambulance Trust in memory of young Samuel Crocker and both teams observed a minutes' silence prior to the kick off as a tribute to a young life so tragically lost.

The thoughts and prayers of all club members are with Stuart, Clare and Joseph and the other family members who have a long association with Crediton RFC.

The match itself was of secondary importance to the occasion and whilst Crediton ran out winners 49-15, the game was far more evenly contested than the score suggests.

Okehampton took an early lead with a try in the corner and the conversion that followed gave them a 7-0 advantage.

The visitors looked threatening early on and dominated proceedings but were pegged back when home full-back Sam Andrews went over in the corner.

More Okey pressure earned them a penalty to give them a 10-5 interval lead.

Things began to look ominous for Crediton when the lead was increased early in the second half as Okehampton scored another corner flag try.

This seemed to spur the Crediton team into action and a superb solo try from centre Jordan Pring and converted by fly-half Rob Milton narrowed the gap to three points.

Pring was looking particularly impressive with his strong running and he made another break before putting winger Brad Baker in for a try out wide.

Milton then landed a penalty and when centre Jake Clarke went over, suddenly Crediton were well in the driving seat with a 10 point advantage.

Okehampton were not out of it completely and still threatened the home line but some strong defending kept them at bay.

Replacement winger Devon Hosegood ran in two late tries and Pring added a second as Crediton dominated the last quarter. Milton converted two.

HORNETS

The Hornets made the journey to Sidmouth for a friendly fixture with the newly reformed Sidmouth Third Fifteen and completed the double over their hosts with a 34-0 victory.

No 8 John Milton grabbed a brace of tries and there was one apiece for Henry Nuthall, Phin Asemenya, Kevin Ellis and Pete Rich with John Cheffins and Gareth Kinch each landing a conversion.

COLTS

The Colts battled away for an excellent victory at Tavistock and stay well in contention for a place in the Shield final.

Will Goodman touched down twice with Samora Shakespeare and Charlie Luxton scoring one apiece.

Haydon Hill popped over three conversions and a penalty.

We now enter the business end of both the leagues and Merit Tables and it has to be said we are in very good positions in all competitions.

With four games remaining, the First Fifteen need only four points from the remaining games to guarantee promotion to Western Counties West.

We are currently level on points with Saltash, both sides with 103 points from a maximum 110, and of course we entertain them on the very last league game of the season.

It would indeed be a fitting finale if the outcome of that game decided which of the teams went up as Champions. Of course we need to win three games before then, OPM away, Paignton at home and Pirates Amateurs away. All are of course very winnable but none will be easy.

The 'Quins have six Merit Table games remaining and, whilst chances of winning the Merit Table are remote, a top four finish is well within our reach and that in itself would be a remarkable achievement. 

Torquay, Sidmouth and Devonport all have to travel to Crediton whilst we have three tough trips to probable winners Barnstaple, second placed Exmouth, ending the season at Brixham. A difficult run in but there should be a few wins to come from those games.

The Hornets have their finger tips on the DMT Three trophy and with two games remaining, one win should be enough to earn a promotion to the next level up.

Away games at Topsham and Withycombe will not be easy but just a couple of points from the two games should be sufficient to see them home.

The Colts too, are in a good position, certainly better than they might have expected after a disappointing first half of the season.

The more settled squad has seen results improve and with six games remaining, there is a really good chance of making the Shield Final for the second successive season.

Home games against Exmouth and Paignton together with away fixtures at Exmouth, Plymstock, Devonport and Brixham are all winnable and could certainly round off an outstanding season for the club.

The First Fifteen have no game tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, but Crediton's other team matches are as follows: Second Fifteen v Torquay (home); Third Fifteen v Topsham (away); Colts v Exmouth (home). PH