Devon

Intermediate Cup First Round

CULLOMPTON 32

CREDITON 8

CULLOMPTON progressed to the second round of the Devon Intermediate Cup with a relatively comfortable win at home against Crediton, although had they not conceded two soft tries early on, Crediton might well have given their hosts a fright!

The Cullompton strength was always in their three-quarter line and inevitably the fewer opportunities they have to run at, the less damage they will do.

Unfortunately, a couple of mis-directed kicks allowed them to do just that and within 20 minutes the visitors were 14 points adrift.

In addition, three yellow cards did not help the Crediton cause; it is always going to be difficult, playing 30 minutes of a game a man short.

It was a disappointing first half for Crediton as one or two defensive frailties were exposed and at 3-20 down at the interval and the slight slope against, a potential try fest for the hosts was expected.

However, that did not happen as Crediton battled for everything, the defence tightened up and they came back into the game.

Two tries for the hosts in the second half, the first early on and the second right at the end when Crediton were down to 14 on both occasions, were all they had to show.

In between, Crediton showed glimpses of what they are capable of and gained a deserved try through replacement prop Wayne Reed.

Crediton 'Quins 22

Bideford Seconds 5

The 'Quins eventually got the better of their Bideford counterparts with a convincing win against Bideford, although it did take a while to convert their supremacy into a points advantage.

Solid defending by the visitors kept them in the game but eventually pressure told.

Following a good start by Crediton they soon established ascendancy of the game,

The first breakthrough came when the ball was at last moved out and following some good handling, centre Chris Simpson forced his way over for the opening score, which was converted by full-back, Ash Wonnacott.

Following the kick off Crediton continued to apply pressure but turnover ball in the Bideford 22 saw Mark English (Crediton player guesting for Bideford) run strongly to go over in the corner for a well taken first try for Bideford.

Crediton hit back within minutes as they continued to assert their authority and were rewarded by an immediate score, which saw Ash Wonnacott touch down for an unconverted try giving Crediton a 12-5 half-time lead.

The second half continued much the same as the first but the 'Quins kept playing it too close to the forwards which made life somewhat easier for the visitors to defend.

The home lead was extended when Crediton backs set up a counter attack following a clearance kick by Bideford saw Ash Wonnacott go over out wide for his second unconverted try, which gave Crediton the cushion they deserved.

Following further sustained pressure by Crediton the ball was moved out along the backs and Chris Simpson ran a good line between two defenders to score his second try of the game, which was the final score of the afternoon.

Bideford Thirds 10

Crediton Hornets 12

The Hornets travelled to North Devon with only 12 players but as is the spirit of the game our hosts gave a warm welcome and loaned us a couple of players and thus ensured an even contest.

The Hornets dominated up front but the lack of backs made life difficult.

However, scrum-half Nathan Jackson put Crediton ahead as he ducked under a couple of tackles to score at the posts.

Sam Brooke converted and Bideford hit back with a couple of tries, but it was Jon Cheffins who sealed the win for the Hornets with a chip and chase try.

Devon Colts Cup First Round First Leg

Devonport Colts 10 Crediton Colts 35

This was a top quality performance by Crediton. Not only a good team performance with excellent defence when needed, but each individual contributed with very high skill levels shown.

Twenty minutes were played with 14 men as two players were sin-binned but even that had little effect on the score.

The first try came from a break from midfield that went wide on the left for Harry Pilkington to score in the corner.

While Crediton were doing some intensive defending on their line, the first yellow card came out.

Alex Rodd picked from the base of a ruck about eight metres out to go over for the second that Ollie Avery-Wright converted.

Crediton were then awarded a penalty that Avery-Wright kicked before DS kicked one as well, just before half-time.

With Crediton down to 14, DS went at them from the re-start and caught the Crediton defence asleep from the kick off to make it 15-10 with the conversion.

From a scrum five wide on the left at the Devonport end, Doug John charged down an attempted clearance and scored in the corner.

Alex Rodd added another in the right corner from a sequence of good handling that turned the home defence inside out.

Cam Henderson then ran through the middle to score on the 15 and Avery-Wright again landed the extras off the outside of the post so the conversion was not added.

Harry Strong charged down the right wing to score in the corner and complete the scoring.

PH