CREDITON 15 - KINGSBRIDGE 22

FOR the second successive week Crediton came up against the team at the top of the league and, despite outscoring them two tries to one, we were done for by the penalty count against us and the Kings’ full-back had a good day with the boot, kicking five penalties plus the conversion.

However, the losing bonus point was something that looked highly unlikely after the opening eight minutes when we found ourselves 10 points down. Their opening score came from a penalty and was soon followed by a try off the base of a scrum which was promptly converted.

The visitors looked in ominous form and it was pretty clear to see why they were at the top of the table but such was our resistance, they could not break down the defence.

Our confidence grew as we began to establish a foothold in the game and create a few opportunities of our own and the arrears were reduced with a driving maul that produced a try for hooker Jamie Charlton, his first for the club.

Kingsbridge responded with a penalty shortly before the interval to lead 13-8.

The second half saw the visitors keep the pressure up but were unable to penetrate the Crediton defence although that pressure did produce three penalties all of which were converted and suddenly we were two scores behind.

Again though we rallied and pegged Kingsbridge in their own “22” and they too began to give penalties away.

Three points were of little value to us and we opted to kick for the corner and take the lineout.

This tactic was used but Kingsbridge held out until eventually we did move the ball wide and a miss pass from Jason Luff found Oli Down out wide and he crossed over for a try which he converted from a difficult angle.

The final minutes were played out in the Kingsbridge “22” but we were unable to add to our score.

Another good performance, especially in defence and we did outscore the league leaders two tries to one, scant consolation but the losing bonus point was indeed welcome.

OKEHAMPTON SECONDS 11 - CREDITON QUINS 7

The ‘Quins made the short journey to Okehampton to take on last season’s Merit Table Champions and after their performance against Newton Abbot last week had high hopes of a decent result.

From the first whistle it was obvious that this was going to be a close game with both defences working hard to keep their lines intact.

In worsening conditions it was the ‘Quins who made the breakthrough against a stubborn Okehampton defence after 27 minutes.

Winning good possession from a scrum the Crediton backs launched a set play move which saw winger Bobby Saunders come in off his wing running a brilliant line to split the Okehampton defence and run in for a try with Josh Davey adding the extras.

The game continued to be tight and although Crediton were continuously probing and creating chances the Okehampton defence remained solid and the first half finished with Crediton 7-0 ahead.

The second half continued as the first in something of a stalemate but it was Okey who reduced the arrears on 55 minutes when we needlessly conceded a penalty in their half.

The home side kicked to the corner and won the resulting lineout and set up a driving maul ending with an unconverted try.

The ‘Quins were still in the ascendancy but on 68 minutes were penalised for hands in the ruck handing the home side an easy three points.

Five minutes later another infringement at the ruck gifted Okey another three points and suddenly we are chasing the game.

With 10 minutes still on the clock the Crediton players strived to get back on the scoreboard and although they were very close at times the Okehampton defence remained solid and the game ended 7-11 to Okehampton.

This was a very disappointing result for a young Crediton team that has a lot of potential, but poor discipline at vital times giving away penalties allowed Okehampton easy exits from their own half and is something that has to be addressed before the next game.

KINGSBRIDGE SECONDS 27 - CREDITON THIRDS 12

The Third Fifteen made the long trip to Kingsbridge for their Merit Table fixture and gave a really good account of themselves against a side that had scored 114 points in their previous two games.

Any thoughts that the home side may have harboured about another massive win were soon dispelled when they began to come off second best in the forwards.

However, once they had altered their tactics and began to spread the ball wide they did get the better of things.

Prop Wayne Reed and winger Sam Miller each scored a try with fly-half Andy Pennington landing a conversion.

The result earned a well-deserved losing bonus point.

CREDITON COLTS 0 - KINGSBRIDGE COLTS 22

Kingsbridge made it a hat-trick of victories with a win over our Colts.

Kingsbridge have been rattling up the points in their previous matches but at times we matched them. Having played up the slope in the first half, we found ourselves 0-17 down at the interval.

The second half we had much more of the game but the visitors added one more try to their total.

Paul Harris