CREDITON 15 - ST AUSTELL 15

THE First Fifteen battled to their second successive draw to put a little more distance between ourselves and the relegation spots and also gain a bit of ground on those sides above us.

However, it was certainly a nervy second half as St Austell dominated territory and possession for almost the entire 40 minutes.

The first half was a different story as Crediton were ahead within two minutes when fly-half Mark Lee broke tackles before offloading to winger Mike Pearce to dash over.

Both sides were making efforts to move the ball wide but defences were dominant until the 14th minute when the Saints found space out wide and flanker Sam Rhodes went over in the corner to level the scores.

The visitors were edging the scrums early on, preventing Crediton from gaining quick clean ball and it was St Austell who looked the most likely to score next.

However, a clearance kick was charged down by Pearce who gathered the loose ball but the Saints were penalised at the tackle. The penalty found a great touch in the corner and the resulting line-out produced a good catch and drive try for skipper Ben Wonnacott, Lee converted for a 12-5 interval lead.

St Austell came out of the blocks quickly in the second period and soon reduced the arrears with a penalty from winger Cavan Boyer.

From then on they laid siege to the Crediton line forcing penalties as the pressure told. With each penalty, The Saints kicked to the corner and attempted several catch and drive moves but some excellent defending prevented any scoring.

However, the law of averages dictates that the plan should work at least once and eventually it was successful and the score put the visitors ahead for the first time, the try was converted by Boyer.

We gradually managed to get back into the game and a rare foray into the Saints “22” earned the a penalty which Lee popped over to level the scores.

Both sides tried to go for the all-important score and for the last few minutes we were camped on their line but unfortunately, time ran out.

With neither side totally free from the relegation spots, the draw has not damaged either sides prospects for survival.

NEWTON ABBOT SECONDS 32 - CREDITON ‘QUINS 0

Crediton Seconds travelled to play Newton Abbot Seconds who are currently sitting in second place in Devon Merit Table One.

A combination of unavailability and late cry offs meant Crediton travelled with only 15 players and knew they faced a tough encounter.

Right from kick off however Crediton matched Newton Abbot toe-to-toe and the game was evenly contested with both sides creating chances.

After 20 minutes Newton set the scoreboard moving when they stole a Crediton line-out and took full advantage of their turnover possession by moving the ball swiftly through their backs to their winger who went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Crediton rallied strongly but they could not break through a well-organised and strong home defence.

After 30 minutes Newton went further ahead. Winning a penalty they kicked into the corner and from the resultant line-out their big forwards set up a well-controlled drive to go over for an unconverted try to make the half-time score 10-0.

The second half started badly for Crediton when after 44 minutes they failed to secure a high kick and the hosts took full advantage by pouncing on the loose ball for their backs to race over for their third try.

Crediton again responded strongly with their forwards carrying the ball well, gaining metres each time and always putting their backs onto the front foot but still they could not break down the Newton Abbot defence.

With no bench Crediton could not bring on fresh legs and fatigue was beginning to show among some of the players.

On 61 minutes Newton Abbot increased their score when, following a sustained period of pressure in the Crediton 22 metres area, their big forwards set up a driving maul and powered over the Crediton line for an unconverted try.

Ten minutes later Crediton were penalised for a scrum infringement and the Newton scrum-half took a quick penalty and their backs ran in another try from the half-way line which was also converted.

Tiredness was now a key issue for a valiant Crediton team and Newton Abbot exploited this in the final five minutes.

Creating several phases of play they moved the ball swiftly across the width of the pitch and with men over, they scored in the corner for the last try of the game, making the final score 32-0 to Newton Abbot.

This was a very creditable performance from a determined ‘Quins team who were not fazed by their National Three side opposition, and who on numerous occasions forced the Newton Abbot team into some desperate defence.

Credit must go to those players who stepped up at short notice from the third team and who excelled with some strong individual performances, making it clear to see why the Third team has been performing so well this season.

With a number of players stepping up to the Seconds, the Third Fifteen travelled Teignmouth with a somewhat depleted side and again had no replacements.

Teignmouth are a strong Second Fifteen containing players with considerable league experience in South West One but despite the 28-7 scoreline, were never as dominant as they perhaps should have been.

There were a number of second year Colts in the Crediton side all of whom impressed with their commitment and quality of play.

This was a big step up for some of these young players and they stuck to their task manfully proving that the Colts production line is still operating extremely well.

Although defeated, the thirds are still at the top of Devon Merit Table Two, one point ahead of Torquay Seconds and it could all come down to the final game of the season when the two sides meet at Crediton.

PH