FALMOUTH 14

CREDITON 32

AFTER a couple of weeks with no game, Crediton took a while to get into this game, indeed the first quarter was almost all Falmouth.

Fortunately the defence was in good form and despite their possession the home side were unable to make any headway.

Crediton scored from virtually their first meaningful attack of the game and it was centre Chris Simpson whose pace and strength took him through the Falmouth defensive line to touch down. Fly-half Mark Lee landed the conversion and followed up with a penalty five minutes later.

Falmouth hit back on 33 minutes with a solo try from their fly-half who scythed through the Crediton defence and raced home from half way, the conversion reduced the deficit to three points.

On the stroke of half-time, winger Devon Hosegood put away for a run down the touchline to score out wide to provide a bit of breathing space at the interval.

Playing up the slope in the second half, Lee popped over an early penalty. The Crediton forwards were dominating the set scrums and the lineout generally worked pretty well too as they gradually began to dictate play.

When scrum-half Mike Pearce pounced on a loose ball he raced in from the "22" to score at the posts, Lee converted and victory seemed assured.

All that was needed now was the bonus point try.

Falmouth however, had other ideas and cut the deficit with another long distance try and conversion. Feeling that they could still get something from the game, Falmouth took control and battered the Crediton line but the visiting defence was outstanding and ultimately it was Falmouth who conceded the penalty allowing Crediton to clear their lines.

With time running out, the bonus point try looked unlikely until the final minute when hooker Bobby Mogford squeezed through a couple of tackles to force his way over at the posts, Lee converted and the final whistle blew.

Overall a good performance against a resilliant Falmouth side. We are still in touch with Saltash who remain six points ahead and keeping the pressure on Withycombe who are two points behind although we have a game in-hand which will be played tomorrow against Exeter Saracens.

The promotion candidates have been narrowed to a possible five clubs that have a mathematical chance, aside from the top three - Paignton and Pirates Amateurs could make it but it would take disastrous end of season for two of the top three teams.

What a difference a week makes so far as the weather is concerned and although still bitterly cold, the conditions were 10-times better than seven days ago.

CREDITON THIRD

FIFTEEN 56

BIDEFORD 7

Crediton Thirds played host to a gritty and well-travelled Bideford team in a non-merit table fixture. Over the 80 minutes some of the rugby played by Kirton was outstanding.

The backs kept Bideford guessing with their moves, the forwards rucked and mauled with passion and strength.

Kirton scored a trio of tries early on with centre Scott Mills, flanker Ben Phillips, hooker and skipper Kev Ellis all crossing to score.

Fly-half Gareth Kinch had a decent day with the boot adding many conversions and a penalty.

Bideford very rarely threatened the Kirton defence but did manage to get a score of their own which was converted.

After the break and "positive' team talk, Kirton turned up the heat. Tries came thick and fast, again Mills and Ellis crossing to score along with Pete Rich and Andy "Youthful" Dafters.

Bideford tired and Kirton took advantage by adding some fresh faces to adult rugby with the addition of some second year Colts, readying them for the transition next season.

The game finished rather one-sided with the score 56-7.

The Colts were due to entertain Teignmouth but sadly the Teigns were unable to fulfil the fixture.

It was hugely disappointing not only for the Crediton players but also for the Teignmouth side.

The reason for the cry off was not a shortage of players, they had a team - the Teignmouth club was unable to provide transport for a 25-mile journey!

That is an appalling situation for a club that is currently top of the Western Counties' West League (one league above ourselves) and are reputed to be paying large sums of money to players in order to create their success.

The referee had turned up and, of course, our ladies had begun to prepare the food by the time we were informed of the withdrawal, 30 minutes before the kick off.

Inconsiderate and a disgraceful way to treat your own players let alone your opponents.

Fixtures for tomorrow, Saturday, February 14: First Fifteen v Exeter Saracens (home); Second Fifteen v Newton Abbot (away); Third Fifteen v Buckfastleigh (away) and Colts v Devonport (home).