Game was tight but Crediton was best team at St. Austell

Saturday, November 14

St Austell 5

Crediton 16

AS ONE home supporter observed after the game, the best team won and few, apart from the most biased supporter, would have argued the point.

It was a tight affair with Crediton holding a six point lead until the very last play of the game. In truth, the home side probably had the territorial advantage but apart from one good try they seldom threatened to score again.

Their scrum was under pressure all afternoon and were clearly second best in that department, a point proved when they lost their own put-in five metres from their line and we scored a classic 8-9-10 try to ensure the win.

The lines-out were something of a lottery in the strong wind and ended probably all square on that count.

All in all we thoroughly deserved the win making six victories from the last six games, four of which were on the road.

We opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a Ross Gillon penalty as the home side were pinged for not releasing in the tackle and within minutes a good catch and drive from a lineout saw hooker Bobby Mogford grab his fifth try of the season.

Saints hit back and their lively scrum-half made a smart break and some clever handling put them in for a good try.

The game was played out in midfield and a couple of powering runs from lock Mark Gulley almost bore fruit but defensively the home side were pretty sound.

The game was very stop start as St Austell seemed to have an injury at almost every breakdown which effectively slowed the game down.

Gillon landed another penalty when the hosts were penalised for an unfair tackle on scrum half Dave Rich for an interval lead of 11-5

The game reached something of a stalemate with neither side creating much in the way of chances although winger Matt Shapland was put away down the touchline for a certain score before being brought back with the final pass being adjudged forward.

Saints then had a moment when they thought they had scored as a long downfield kick was watched over the dead ball line by Gillon and Rich just as the home scrum-half dived on the ball.

A minor bit of controversy occurred when the home support felt the referee had indicated a try but in the end brought play back for a Crediton scrum from where the ball had been kicked.

St Austell did dominate territory during the second period but solid defending meant they rarely got within striking distance of our line.

On the other hand when we did get into their '22' we did look dangerous and two Mike Pearce breaks almost brought rewards.

With time running out we were camped on their line and we took a strike against the head five metres off their line. No 8 Jay Harris picked up and fed to Rich who in turn got the ball to fly-half Neil Branton who dived over.

The win has taken us into second spot in the table albeit on points difference and of course other sides have games in hand.

With two games to go before the half way stage, things are hotting up nicely, certainly for the top six in the league at the moment.

Saturday, November 21

Devon Intermediate Cup Second Round

Crediton 10

Crediton finally laid the ghost of five successive defeats against Bideford with a determined performance that produced a victory in the final 10 minutes of a somewhat weather beaten game.

Both sides made every effort to enter into the spirit of cup rugby despite the wind and rain which dominated throughout.

Indeed the visitors held the lead from the 10th minute to the 70th and will no doubt be disappointed not to have retained that advantage until the final whistle.

With a strong wind at their backs the visitors should really have had more to show than a three point interval lead courtesy of a James Morris long range penalty after ten minutes.

Crediton responded with a few drives to the Bideford '22' but lacked composure and discipline to capitalise.

The game ebbed and flowed but mainly twixt the two '22' metre lines. Crediton held a comfortable edge up front but Bideford had the nous to get the ball away when in retreat.

Apart from a chip over the top of the Crediton defence which was scrambled away by the home defence, scoring opportunities were at a premium.

By the start of the second period, the wind had dropped considerably but still both sides made efforts to please the crowd by running the ball in difficult circumstances.

However, it seemed that Bideford had done enough to keep their three point advantage and even had a chance to double the lead on the hour but in uncharacteristic fashion Morris missed a relatively simple opportunity when Crediton were penalised for hands in the ruck.

The introduction of replacements seemed to change the game for the hosts as Colts winger Tom Foan made an immediate impact with his first touch with a break which created an overlap but the Bideford defence was up to the challenge.

With time running out, Crediton full-back Neil Branton put in a great touchline kick which Foan chased and forced Bideford full-back to hack into touch.

The resulting line out saw the ball go out wide with some excellent handling putting left wing Matt Shapland in for a try to put the hosts ahead for the first time.

Crediton then played the clock down and in the final couple of minutes replacement flanker Greg Lewis, another of last seasons academy colts forced his way over.

Both sides deserve enormous credit for making the most of some dreadful conditions and referee Richard Steggall also earned the plaudits for his performance.

The win puts us in the semi-final away at either Honiton or South Molton.

'Quins

Crediton 'Quins 5

Brixham Seconds 7

The 'Quins gave high flying Brixham seconds a run for their money, losing by a conversion.

Mark Abrahams scored the 'Quins try in a much improved performance.

Colts

Crediton Colts 15

Brixham Colts 19

A genuine game of two halves with Crediton taking a 15-0 lead at the interval courtesy of tries from Jack Hookway (two) and George Edwards.

Brixham countered with three in the second half and again the difference was they converted theirs.

Forthcoming fixtures

Saturday, November 28: First Fifteen v Stithians (D and C); Ivybridge Seconds v 'Quins (DMT 1); Hornets v Ivybridge Thirds; Colts TBA.

Saturday, December 5: Torringtonv Crediton (D and C); Crediton 'Quins v Newton Abbot Seconds (DMT 1); Crediton Hornets v Torrington Seconds (DMT 3); Torrington Colts v Crediton Colts (MT).

PH

Crediton Youth Rugby

Under 15's

Bideford 7

Crediton 12

THE team were due to play Tiverton, who called off on the Friday as they were unable to field a team at this age group. Instead a re-arranged fixture, away against Bideford, meant a trip to North Devon!

In the past, Bideford have been weak at this age group but we had heard that there was a new lease of life at the club and the boys were looking forward to the challenge!

The match started at a furious pace and Bideford scored the first points after 10 minutes. Crediton then hit a purple patch and scored twice in quick succession, through Sam Walters and Edward Marshall.

The second try was converted by Dougie John and the visitors went into half time with a 7-12 lead.

The second half saw the visitors exerting huge pressure on the Bideford line, but they were unable to convert this into points.

With 10 minutes to go, a minor fracas took place and after the referee spoke with both teams, he yellow carded the Bideford flanker.

Crediton were still unable to take advantage and the score remained the same, a good result, after two heavy defeats in the previous two weeks.

Lester Kiddle, the lock playing for the first time for a number of weeks, was deservedly voted man of the match.

Next week sees Crediton travelling to Sidmouth for the first round of the Cup.

Devon Under

16's Cup

Crediton 41

Torquay 0

CREDITON advanced to the quarter finals of the Devon Cup with a convincing win over Torquay.

The early exchanges were even, as the forwards tested each other out, and it took 22 minutes for the first score.

Ben Phillips received the ball from a ruck and sidestepped two players to score. Josh Lee converted.

Two more tries followed before half time, from Neil Hookway and another following a scrum from Simon Rendell.

The sides turned round at 17-0, and it only took Credy two minutes to keep the scoreboard rolling, Josh Lee's angled run set up Luke Somerwill for a touch down.

Scrum half Nathan Jackson continued the scoring, when he scored following a strong forward drive from a line out.

From the resulting kick off, Credy scored almost immediately. Rob Somerwill caught the ball, fed Hookway, who then returned the ball for Somerwill to score the sixth try.

The final try was a team affair, all the backs played the ball in a sweeping right to left move, which was finished by Jake Hetherington.

Lee converted the last two tries for a 41-0 victory.

Torquay were worthy opponents and never gave up, battling right up until the final whistle.