CREDITON 6 - TRURO 35

CREDITON can have no complaints about the outcome of their home game against in-form Truro.

The scoreline may have flattered the visitors but in fairness the result was never in doubt. The hosts did start the game full of intent and early pressure earned them a long range penalty but fly-half Ollie Avery-Wright saw his excellent effort strike the post.

However, within minutes he had a second chance and made no mistake to put the hosts ahead. That really is about as good as things got for Crediton as the Cornishmen responded in style gaining a catch and drive try off a line-out and dotted down by prop Darren Jacques, fly-half Ashley Hosking added the extras.

Crediton did rally and another Avery-Wright penalty reduced the deficit to a single point. However, any jubilation was short lived as Truro exposed frailties in the home defence to put centre Alex Stutheridge in for a try converted by Hosking.

With the wind in their favour in the second half Truro never looked likely to surrender their lead any more than the home side looked like reducing it.

The visitors dominated the second half and added further tries from Matt Cross, Matt Symonds and Ieuan Boon to record a well deserved bonus point victory.

BARNSTAPLE SECONDS 37 - CREDITON ‘QUINS 10

The ‘Quins made the trip to North Devon to meet the Barnstaple Development Fifteen in a Devon Merit One League fixture.

Having narrowly won the home game earlier in the season, the Crediton side went in search of completing the “double” over Barum.

However, this was a very different Barnstaple Fifteen and one which contained a lot of players with vast experience of playing regular National Three rugby this season. From the outset it was clearly going to be the difference between the two sides.

In very blustery conditions both sides attempted to play running rugby but it was Barnstaple who looked the more dangerous and they were first on the scoreboard after seven minutes.

Crediton were running the ball out of their own half against a strong wind but got tackled and Barnstaple won quick turnover ball for their backs to run and put their winger over for a try in the corner.

Crediton fought back immediately but playing against a strong wind and a well-organised and resolute Barnstaple defence they were finding territory very hard to gain.

Barnstaple increased their lead after 23 minutes when a Crediton player was penalised for side entry into a ruck.

Barnstaple opted to kick for the corner and from the resultant line-out they set up a strong catch and drive to go over for their second try.

This lead increased again on 35 minutes. Winning good scrum-ball in the Crediton 22 metres area, their No 8 picked up and made a strong break down the blindside before offloading to his winger who went over in the corner.

Crediton once again rallied and were rewarded on 38 minutes when Barnstaple were penalised for handling on the ground and Tom Ronchetti stepped up to convert the penalty in difficult conditions.

Crediton knew that if they could get another score before half-time they were still in this game especially playing with the wind in the second half.

It was Barnstaple however who got this score with the last play of the first half. Crediton lost possession in a tackle and the Barnstaple backs ran through some poor tackling to touch down for a try, making the half-time score 3-22 to Barnstaple.

Barnstaple started the second half the stronger of the two teams and were very soon on the scoreboard again. A deft chip over the top of the Crediton defensive line was skilfully gathered by the Barnstaple player who went over for a well-deserved try.

This lead was increased on 67 minutes when Crediton lost possession on the half-way line and the pacy Barnstaple backs ran through a now tiring Crediton defence for another score.

The Crediton players however kept battling away and after 72 minutes were rewarded for their efforts. A fine break in mid-field by Ash Bradnock split the Barnstaple defence and he made good yardage before offloading to Tom Foan who went over for a wel- deserved try, Tom Ronchetti adding the extras.

Barnstaple had the final say however and once again it was the skill and pace of their backs which opened up a now very tired Crediton defence to score again in the corner, making the final score 10-37 to Barnstaple.

Whilst the final score reflects a convincing win for the home side, Crediton had far more of this game than the scoreboard would suggest.

The difference between the sides was the pace and clinical finishing of the Barnstaple backs who were provided with some quality possession by their well-organised and well-drilled set of forwards.

BARNSTAPLE THIRDS 5 - CREDITON THIRDS 15

Crediton’s Third Fifteen also travelled to Barnstaple for a friendly game in windy conditions. It was a tough encounter as Barum always provide stiff opposition but tries from scrum-half Pete Rich, centre Tom Smale and lock Alan Westcott secured a well-deserved victory.

The strength of the Crediton defence was severely tested in the latter stages as the home side battered away to try and reduce the deficit.

CREDITON COLTS 13 - PLYMOUTH ARGAUM COLTS 10

The Colts gained another narrow victory against Plymouth Argaum to at least give a mathematical chance of reaching the Plate Final.

A Deyan Tomic try plus a conversion and a penalty from Josh Davey saw Crediton into a 10-0 lead during the first half. The visitors hit back to level things by half-time.

With the advantage of the slope in the second half, Davey landed a second penalty to put Crediton 13-10 ahead.

The Plymouth side rallied and battered the Crediton line for the final few minutes but some excellent defending ensured the home victory.

PH