OPM 5

Crediton gained a bonus point win against Old Plymothian and Mannamede to move into second place in the league on points difference ahead of Exeter University whose defeat at Tiverton left the Tivvy boys top of the table with the only 100 per cent record.

In the early exchanges, OPM certainly belied their lowly position in the table but as the game progressed, they found it increasingly more difficult to compete up front where again Crediton dominated.

Crediton began in impressive style and could well have been a try up within a couple of minutes but some good defending by the visitors prevented a score.

However, the home support did not have to wait long and more pressure forced OPM into conceding a penalty for failing to release at the tackle.

Crediton opted for the kick to the corner and the resulting catch and drive saw No 8, Mark Nott, get the touch down with centre, Mark Lee, adding the extras.

The visitors then showed their potential and hit back with some strong running and looked sharp with the ball in-hand and earned themselves a deserved try on 16 minutes when a good handling move saw winger, Jon Bennett, in for a try in the corner.

Play continued from end-to-end before Crediton increased their lead with a Lee penalty on 30 minutes when the visitors were penalised at a ruck.

Five minutes later and  the hosts were awarded another penalty seven metres out and opted for a scrum. The drive proved too much for OPM and Nott grabbed his second try of the game, with Lee converting for an interval lead of 17-5.

Despite their weight advantage up front, the visitors struggled against the home eight and from a scrum 35 metres out, Crediton set up a sparkling move which saw  Lee evade tackles to score and then convert.

Crediton then went in search of the bonus point try but the OPM defence was up to the task until a series of penalties five metres out for various scrum offences ended with home scrum-half, Mike Pearce, catching the OPM defence unaware as he darted home for a try in the corner.

The huge win at Newquay the previous week was put firmly behind us as we all knew that OPM would be a much tougher nut to crack and so it proved.

A bonus point win against OPM was no mean feat and it is good to see our bonus points mounting which could prove invaluable next April.

Defensively, well the figures speak for themselves, 46 points conceded in six games, which includes seven tries. That would indicate that not only are we defending well but also, with discipline and keeping the penalty count down, only two penalties have actually been scored against us in the opening six games.

With full-back Jon Down and winger Leigh Kinch both out injured, Sam Andrews and Jake Clarke were drafted in.

Sam, making his debut in the First Fifteen, proved a very capable replacement at full-back with safe hands and a turn of pace and will certainly bring more competition to the side.

Scorers for Crediton:  tries - Nott (2), Lee and Pearce; conversion - Lee (3); penalty - Lee.

Crediton 'Quins 18 Devonport

SECONDS 12

This was the 'Quins second successive Merit Table win and against a tough Devonport side.

Crediton had to withstand long periods of pressure in the second half and did enough to keep Devonport at bay as they looked for the try that would have won them the game.

Tries came from prop Henry Gavin, hooker Stuart Pickard and scrum-half Dave Rich with fly-half Gareth Kinch landing a penalty.

 SOUTH Molton

SECONDS 10

CREDITON THIRDS 31

The Third Fifteen gained their third Merit Table win in four games with this victory at South Molton.

Both sides contributed to a very entertaining game and should be congratulated for the standard of rugby they produced.

The Hornets were generally in control and the back row of Jamie Cheffins, Ben Phillips and Sam Rowe were prominent both in attack and defence.

There were debut tries for scrum-half, Dan Lewis, and centre, Dean Cheffins. Not to be outdone, younger brother Jamie Cheffins also got on the scoresheet as did prop, Jake Henson, who had never before scored a try in senior rugby - he certainly got an appetite for it as he touched down twice.

Lewis converted three of the five tries.

 Crediton Colts 19 Devonport Colts 26

The Colts enjoyed the best of the first half and opened up a considerable lead at the interval but had the benefit of the slope.

Devonport reversed things in the second half and got the winning score a minute from time.

Tries came from prop Macauley Jones, flanker Zak Oserak and centre Harry Pilkington with fly-half Jamie MacKenzie landing two conversions.

Forthcoming

Fixtures:

Saturday, October 19: Pirates Amateurs v First Fifteen (away); Kingsbridge Seconds v Crediton 'Quins (away); Crediton Hornets v Topsham Seconds (home) and Crediton Colts v Okehampton Colts (home).

PH