Under 13's

EXETER SARACENS' 27

CREDITON 5

THIS game, played on March 2, was always going to be a hard contest for the boys. We all know that Sarries' are a tough, hard team, especially as it is one of the coaches old haunts and one he would have liked to have won.

With a good comeback win last week, Crediton Under 13's travelled to Sarries' in good spirit, hoping to put in a good performance followed up with a win.

The win was not to be, but despite all the shouting and harsh words from the coaches at the end of each third, the performance was a good one and at times had moments of skillful play from all areas of the pitch. 

The game was played in three 20 minute thirds with Sarries' having the advantage of bringing on plenty of fresh legs.

Their ball handling was good and as each third passed the Sarries' pack began to gain the upper hand. All Sarries' tries had to come from good hard worked play with no tries run in from deep by one player.

Crediton thwarted another two tries with good hard defensive work preventing the ball from being grounded.

The Crediton players battled well and have improved and are improving as individuals and as a team.

The score-line does not reflect the improvements the team is making and had the team been a little fitter, well a lot more fitter, then the end result may well have been different. 

Although disappointed, Crediton should not be dispirited. Overall the team played well, again it is hard to pick out man of the match, but there are some that consistently work hard for the team without getting a mention.

Ethan Powers, Matt Cooke, Ollie Reddick and Jake Poulton - well done and keep it up.

Oh and how can I forget - well done to Jacob Turner for scoring what was a well worked try for Crediton.

Sean Poulton

Coach

Under 14's

CREDITON 29

DEVONPORT

SERVICES 7

LACK of concentration and poor handling from the kick off saw Crediton leak an early try at home to Devonport on Sunday.

However, Crediton were quick to respond and levelled through prop, Harry Bell, who  powered through the Devonport defence to touch down, after a stong run from No 8, George Stone. Scrum-half Callum Vanstone kicked the extras.

Crediton then took the lead after strong running from centre, Barrie Karea, and a slick pass put flanker, Niall Davies-Hale, through on the wing. 

Devonport continued to threaten down the wing but Crediton's defence was solid with full-back, Conrad Saunders, making a great try stopping tackle.

As half-time approached, a huge free kick from Vanstone gave Crediton a line out deep in the Devonport half and Crediton were able to exert a period of pressure.  

A strong charge from lock, Danny Martin, brought Crediton a free kick as Devonport infringed.

Martin again drove at the Services defence before going to ground.  

Bell was on-hand to carry the ball on, before he was brought down.

Crediton made good use of quick ball at the ruck and shifted play from right to left with centre, Karea, finding the gap to go over close at the posts.

Vanstone added the extras and Crediton went into half-time leading 19-7.

Devonport started strong in the second half, making progress down the wing, but a great cover tackle from flanker, Kain Cole, snuffed out their best move.  

A fast break out move by Crediton saw Martin go over the white wash only to be held up by some great defensive work by the Devonport scrum-half.

Crediton then had a period of pressure deep in the Devonport  half, and good work from a line-out saw Crediton move the ball left to right and back again with strong running from Karea and Man of the Match, Davies-Hale, before Stone fought his way over the line to make it 24-7 to the home team.

Crediton's final try saw them take a tap and go deep in their own 22 with slick hands seeing Karea away on a powerful run.

Superb support from replacement wing, Bobby Jenkins, saw him on hand to take the load off Karea and go over to record his first try of the season, making the final score a deserved 29-7 win for Crediton.

Mike Martin

Coach