CHARD 14 - CREDITON 9

ON our first visit to Chard for 117 years we thoroughly deserved our losing bonus point against a side currently at the top of the table.

In terms of territory and possession we did come off second best but defensively, it was a question of all hands to the pumps in a rearguard action which was indeed outstanding.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested and we held the lead on two occasions courtesy of two Oli Down penalties. However, each time we were pegged back as the home side landed two penalties of their own.

Whilst at times we were under pressure at the scrum, we certainly did not buckle although the wheeling of the scrum did cause a few problems.

Much of the game was played between half-way and our “22” with the home side having plenty of possession.

However, our first up tackles cut out any real threat and we did have our moments and, had a pass gone to hand mid-way through the half we would have had a four-on-one opportunity.

We certainly did look threatening with ball in hand but the Chard defence was equal to anything we could throw at them. The interval arrived with scores level a six apiece.

The second period followed the same pattern as the first although Chard seemed to up the intensity without ever really threatening.

However, they did take the lead midway through the half with a well-worked try which started when they made us of good ruck ball and sent the ball out wide to the left for a score in the corner.

We then responded with another Down penalty to set up a tense final 15 minutes.

A penalty on half-way could have put us in a good position for a lineout in their “22” when various options would have opened up.

Unfortunately the kick failed to find its’ mark and we were brought back for a scrum on half-way.

Both sides tried to run the ball in order to create some sort of chance but the final score went to the hosts with a penalty which they opted to kick for three points.

No doubt Chard deserved their victory as the possession and territory stats had they been available would have shown them as the dominant side. Nonetheless it was a game that could have gone either way, the chances were there.

Chard were extremely good at slowing down our ball at rucks and we felt that they could and perhaps should have been penalised on a number of occasions for what is politely termed “lazy runners”, players who deliberately take their time getting back on side and thus impeding our distribution.

It happened on a few occasions but of course who could blame them if they can get away with it.

CREDITON SECONDS 24 - NEWTON ABBOT 31

With maximum points from their first three games and averaging 50 points per game, Newton are comfortably at the top of Devon Merit Table One and as a consequence the young ‘Quins faced a daunting prospect against a side containing several players with National League experience.

Things looked even more ominous when the All Whites took an early lead when their backs took a quick tap penalty in the Crediton 22-metres area to go over for a converted try.

Crediton came straight back but on 16 minutes they gave away a silly penalty and Newton Abbot went further ahead and within five minutes scored again. When following several good phases of play in the mid-field they moved the ball wide where their winger outpaced the defence to go over for a converted try.

Crediton rallied and started to put some phases of play together creating several chances themselves, but the well-organised visitors defence remained solid and the first half closed out 0-17 to Newton Abbot.

Crediton were immediately on the offensive at the start of the second half and on 47 minutes they finally got on the scoreboard.

Newton Abbot were penalised for a scrum infringement and scrum-half Tommy Jermyn took a quick tap penalty and weaved his way over for a try, with fly-half Josh Davey adding the extras.

The young Crediton team were now playing with added belief and it was only the robust Newton Abbot defence which held them at bay.

On 67 minutes and against the run of play Newton Abbot scored again. Winning a lineout in the Crediton 22 metres area they produced a training ground move which split the Crediton defence to go over for a third converted try.

The ‘Quins responded immediately and from a catch and drive off a line out the Crediton pack forced their way over the Newton Abbot line for No 8 Tom Luxmore to get the final touch down for an unconverted try.

Within five minutes Crediton scored again. Newton Abbot were again penalised and good awareness by Tommy Jermyn saw him take another quick tap penalty to go over for his second try which went unconverted.

Newton Abbot got back on the scoreboard after 75 minutes when again against the run of play they won another line out in the Crediton 22 metres area and their backs produced another training ground move to go over for their fourth converted try.

The Crediton players were not going to be outdone and immediately camped themselves in the Newton Abbot 22 metres area where they created sustained pressure on the Newton Abbot defence.

This pressure finally told when Rob Milton went over for Crediton’s fourth try with Josh Davey adding the extras, making the final score 24-31 to Newton Abbot.

This was a very promising performance by a young Crediton squad against a well-organised, streetwise Newton Abbot side who are to date unbeaten.

Given that Crediton had two tries disallowed, one for an alleged “knock on” whilst grounding the ball, and the second for “ball held up”, this result could have been somewhat different.

EXMOUTH THIRDS 56 - CREDITON THIRDS 5

A Ryan Doyle try was scant consolation for the Third Fifteen against a very strong Exmouth Third Fifteen who look likely winners of Devon Merit Table Two this season.

The first half was very much one-way traffic but the second period showed a much improved performance as we came to terms with the strength and pace of the Exmouth side.

It is such a pity that these are the only remaining serious Third Fifteen’s in Devon at the moment - how things have changed over the past couple of decades.

There are many clubs in the county who now struggle to get a Second Fifteen playing regularly let alone a Third Fifteen.

Of course it means that our Thirds are competing against many Club Second Fifteen’s these days but there is no doubt we are able to match them.

This season Exmouth do look a strong outfit and of course there is no disgrace in losing to them. We put up a spirited performance and this side will win more games than they lose.

Paul Harris