CREDITON 34

DEVONPORT 14

AFTER five successive defeats, the First Fifteen found that winning formula with a comprehensive win against mid-table Devonport Services and bagged a bonus point in the process.

The win was important on two counts, firstly as a morale booster and secondly to avoid falling further behind the teams in mid-table.

The performance was built on the platform of a solid scrum where we did have the better of the exchanges.

There was a marked improvement in the lineouts and again we edged things in that department, losing only one of our own but nicking three or four of the Services throws.

Above all, however, was the strength of our defence and apart from a couple of lapses mid-way through the first half, we snuffed out any threat from the visitors.

The opening quarter was end-to-end with both sides failing to capitalise on chances that were created, Services thought they had scored with a driving maul but the ball was grounded well short of the line.

Likewise, we opened up the Devonport defence on a couple of occasions but were kept out by some last ditch defending.

However, on 20 minutes, we made the breakthrough by opting for a five-metres scrum instead of going for posts.

The visitors struggled at the scrum and conceded two penalties in quick succession as we continued with the scrum option.

The third scrum produced the desired result and it was No 8 Mark Nott, in his first game back after a month off through injury, who touched down. Fly-half Ollie Avery-Wright converted.

It took Devonport four minutes to level the scores and a further two minutes to take the lead.

A kick to the corner, after Crediton were penalised, produced decent lineout ball and their bulky pack drove over the line for Services No 8 Matt Gregory to touch down.

Immediately from the restart Services opened up our defence in midfield and gave their centre, Will Steinhausen, a comfortable run in to score at the posts. Veteran fly-half Matt Anstis converted both to give a 14-7 lead.

Despite this setback, Crediton continued to take the game to the visitors, battered their line and eventually breached the defence for Nott to go over for his second try of the game, with Avery-Wright adding the extras to square the game.

More Crediton pressure brought yet another penalty and it was some very quick thinking from winger Jack Zilch, who raced up to take a quick tap penalty and dive over, before Devonport had time to think. Avery-Wright maintained his 100 per cent record with the conversion for an interval lead 21-14.

An early catch and drive try from a lineout, which was touched down by Josh Lee and converted by Avery-Wright, gave Crediton some breathing space although Services were certainly not out of it as they began to dominate territory and possession in an attempt to reduce the arrears.

Crediton were in no mood to concede anything and defended superbly with discipline, shutting out any attacks and forcing Services to run sideways rather than forward.

The game was finally put to bed with two Avery-Wright penalties in the last 10 minutes for a valuable bonus point win.

DEVONPORT SECONDS 31

CREDITON ‘QUINS 27

The trip to Plymouth for the ‘Quins brought the new experience of playing on an artificial pitch and the players would have to adapt pretty quickly as they adjusted to the different type of surface.

The Services Seconds string were out of the blocks quickly and it took just four minutes for them to take the lead when their big Fijian centre broke through to put their winger in for a try in the corner.

To their credit, the ‘Quins hit back quickly and put pressure on in the home “22” and after several phases the ball went wide for lock Sam Rowe to touch down.

Despite holding an advantage in the scrum and lineout, the ‘Quins conceded another try. A penalty clearance failed to find touch and the Services ran the ball back and scored an unconverted try.

Things then got worse as a third home try was scored and converted to give them an interval lead of 19-5.

An early second half penalty from Rob Milton reduced the deficit but again, the home side struck back with a blind side try for their No 8.

The ‘Quins battled their way back but a combination of some poor decision making and solid home defending prevented any score.

However, on the hour mark an excellent Crediton scrum took the home pack over their own line and No 8 Paddy Joyce touched down, fly-half Rob Milton adding the extras.

Within minutes, hooker Dan Yendell made a break in midfield and cleverly kicked behind the home defence and a neat pick up saw him safely over the line to cut the deficit to four points.

The ‘Quins revival was short lived and another poor clearance allowed the strong running home backs to attack with pace, the ball eventually going wide to give their winger a converted try.

Paddy Joyce then bagged his second try off the base of the scrum which Milton converted.

The last five minutes were all about the ‘Quins trying to break through a resiliant home defence in an effort to get a winning score.

Unfortunately, the clock beat them and time was called with a victory for Services by four points.

A game that we could and probably should have won but some poor defending and bad decision making allowed the hosts to keep adding to their score and, ultimately, we were always playing catch up.

CREDITON THIRDS 22

PAIGNTON SECONDS 20

Crediton Thirds gained revenge for the earlier defeat by Paignton with a narrow win in a pulsating game and it was only in the final few minutes that we got the vital score.

The Colts battled hard against Exmouth but eventually went down 7-19.

Fixtures tomorrow, Saturday, November 14: First Fifteen v Truro away, bus at 10.30am; Second Fifteen v Barnstaple Seconds home; Third Fifteen v Topsham Seconds home; Colts v Exmouth, away.

PH