Crediton 36 - Sidmouth 12

CREDITON Rugby Club First Team continued their campaign in the Devon Senior Cup competition with Sidmouth RFC visiting Blagdon for the next round. 

Having already beaten Sidmouth in both of their previous league encounters 28 –7  at home and 52-31 away, Crediton started as obvious favourites, but with several of their regular First Team squad missing through injury and unavailability, nothing was being taken for granted.

Both sides started the game tentatively and it was Sidmouth who took an early lead with just eight minutes on the clock. 

A harmless looking kick through deep into the Crediton half was unfortunately fumbled by a Crediton defender and before he could recover, the loose ball was kicked on by a chasing Sidmouth player who then got the final touch down for an unconverted try and a 7-5 lead.

This early setback caught us by surprise but nonetheless there was no panic and Crediton remained calm and relied on doing the things that have brought so much success this season. 

It did not take long for a response and it was winger Bobby Jenkin who got things moving when he fielded a Sidmouth clearance kick and carried some distance deep into Sidmouth territory before being tackled. 

However, the quickly recycled ball went through several pairs of hands ending with second rower Chris Courtier crashing over. Ollie Avery-Wright added the extras for a 7-5 lead.

Play was evenly contested with both sides gaining a fair share of possession and territory and Crediton increased their lead in the 20th minute when the forwards went through several phases, edging ever closer to the Sidmouth line. 

The ball was released and moved out wide for fullback Josh Hall to score in the corner. 

Within minutes the lead was extended when a well-rehearsed training ground line-out move worked perfectly with a blind side move that ended with prop Phil Holmes being driven over.

Crediton were beginning to exert some control over the game although Sidmouth proved difficult to break down. 

Indeed they posed several questions for our defence but the game reached the half-way mark with Crediton ahead 17-5.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half was a cat and mouse affair with both sides looking for openings and it was replacement Tom Mortimer who broke through to split the visiting defence before offloading to centre Ben Wonnacott who dashed over for the bonus point try, Ollie Avery-Wright converted. 

Try number five followed soon after when Crediton won a scrum in midfield and the ball moved wide to debutant Freddy Blackburn whose neat interchange of passing with fullback Josh Hall ended with the latter scoring out wide.

Sidmouth continued to be very competitive, although being points down, and were not making things easy for Crediton, but with 10 minutes remaining, second rower Matt Arnold won good possession off a line-out and Wonnacott made a superb break before putting Jenkin away for an excellent try, Ollie Avery-Wright turned it into a seven pointer.

Sidmouth continued to apply pressure to the Crediton defence and 37 minutes into the half they got their just reward.

Looking after the ball well and creating several phases of play near the Crediton try-line, there was a deliberate knock-on by a Crediton defender. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try to Sidmouth and also a yellow card to the Crediton offender!

This was another comprehensive performance from the squad of players, which once again showed the strength in depth now being created with solid performances from all those players who stepped up, and also maintained our unbeaten home record.

It was also good to see Colts player Freddie Blackburn do so well when he came on for his First team debut, and at the other end of the spectrum prop Lance Palmer made his 250th First team appearance, a magnificent achievement.

The result will see Crediton finish third in their group which should have given them a home semi-final in the Senior Shield against Newton Abbot.  However, the All Whites have withdrawn from the competition and as a consequence Crediton go straight into the final on Saturday, April 29 (venue to be advised).

The Quins will have a semi-final but the opponents will be decided by the outcome of the game between Okehampton Seconds and Brixham Seconds. Either way, the semi-final will be away on Saturday, April 15.

Paul Harris