Crediton 55 – Bridgwater 19

WHILST most of the rugby community were enjoying a weekend off, Crediton First Team welcomed Bridgwater RFC to Blagdon for a rearranged fixture following the postponement of the original game during December due to a frozen pitch.

As this was originally marked as a free weekend, eight of the regular First Team squad had pre-booked holidays and so a much changed side took the field.

These absences offered a number of the “fringe” players an opportunity to step up a level and showcase their talent.

It was an opportunity that they grasped with both hands.

The previous week, Bridgwater had racked up 36 points against the league leaders St Austell albeit they lost, but the Cornishmen certainly boasted the meanest defence in the league and to bag five tries against them was no mean feat considering Bridgwater sit at the foot of the table.

Crediton therefore expected a tough battle, as they are battling for survival in this league.

Crediton started the game very much on the front foot and camped themselves in the visitors “22” and with nine minutes on the clock, set the scoreboard moving when Number right, Dan Lee broke down the blind side from a scrum five metres out before offloading to centre Josh Goldman who touched down.

Fly-half Josh Davey took on the kicking responsibilities in the absence of skipper Ollie Avery-Wright and he made it 7-0 with the conversion.

Bridgwater rallied and for a brief period put some pressure on but conceded a penalty just inside their half, Davey had no problem in adding three points to the total.

The 10-point cushion allowed Crediton a little freedom and on the half-hour, the lead was extended when lock, Josh Lee made a strong break deep into Bridgwater territory.

Davey was in support and he in turn put scrum-half Fenton Davies clear to run in for the try, Davey added the extras for 17-0.

Bridgwater did offer some resistance and occasionally put Crediton’s defence under pressure but they remained solid with all the players working hard to clear their lines on numerous occasions, negating any Bridgwater threats.

With half-time approaching, two tries in quick succession put the game beyond the visitors’ reach.

On 37 minutes, Crediton maintained pressure close to the Bridgwater line and a powerful driving maul ended with flanker Jake Clarke getting the touch down.

From the restart, Dan Lee fielded the ball and broke down field before shipping on to brother Josh who made further inroads through the visiting defence before setting up winger Freddie Borthen for a 30-metre run to the line for his maiden First XV try. Davey converted both for a 31-0 lead at the interval.  

The second half started as the first half had done, Crediton were immediately on the offensive, once again building good phases of play in the Bridgwater half.

From one of these phases the ball was quickly moved wide, stretching the Bridgwater defence, and Borthen found himself in space to race in for his second try of the afternoon, which went unconverted.

The visitors were battling for pride and began to have some time in Crediton’s half as they managed to reduce the arrears with a couple of tries. Firstly, a missed tackle in midfield gifted them a simple run-in which was converted.

This was quickly followed by a driving maul off a lineout which earned them another five points.

This seemed to inspire Bridgwater and they enjoyed more possession and territory.

Unfortunately for them a pass was dropped and home fullback Josh Hall kicked through and the ball went deep into the Bridgwater half.

Hall then won the chase and dribbled the ball to the try line where Goldman, up in support, dived to get the touch down with Davey adding the extras.

Within minutes, Goldman completed his hat-trick when once again, Hall kicked a loose ball through and this time, winger Bobby Jenkin won the race to gather and then put Goldman in for the try, which Davey converted.

With time running out, the visitors conceded a penalty and Josh Lee reacted quickly with a tap-and-go before putting Goldman away, he in turn moved the ball on to Hall who went over.

The last word went to the visitors when they forced their way over for a converted try to round off the scoring.

Ask any coach what he would like to see in a group of players, high on the list would certainly be strength in depth and on Saturday it showed Crediton had that in abundance.

Whilst the pack was largely undisturbed, the back line was completely reshuffled with only centre Ben Wonnacott in place from the previous week. Fenton Davies in at scrum-half, Josh Davey moved from fullback to fly half, Freddie Borthen and Bobby Jenkin coming in on the wings, Josh Goldman in at centre and Josh Hall moving from wing to fullback all changes that proved seamless as Crediton bagged yet another four try bonus point.

No doubt the aspirin will be on hand at the next selection meeting as the selectors will have been given a few headaches with this performance.

The win keeps Crediton in second place, 12 points behind St Austell but with a game in hand and Crediton will meet them at home on February 18. However, even if Crediton gain the 10 points from those two games, they will still require other clubs to take points off them or at least prevent them from gaining bonus points.

Wadebridge are seven points behind Crediton having played two games more and Truro a further one point back having played one game more. There is still everything to play for, all Crediton can do is keep on winning.

Crediton Thirds 12 
Tiverton Thirds 46

The thirds were particularly disappointed with the outcome of this Merit Table game against Tiverton Thirds, not because of the result but more the fact that this was closer to a Tiverton Second XV.

The original game had been postponed as Tivvy were unable to raise a team and to be fair, Crediton could have claimed the points.

However, Crediton are a generous lot and suggested rescheduling and at least have a game and of course this was the outcome.

Of course it makes little or no difference to positions in the Merit Table and perhaps Crediton should not judge things too harshly as in the end 40 players did get a game of rugby.

That said, Crediton did have the advantage early on with a couple of tries from prop Cameron Vooght and scrum-half Elliot White with Owen Cooper landing a conversion.

Tivvy however dominated the remainder and scored tries at regular intervals. A brave effort from the thirds who continue to have a tremendous spirit.

Crediton Colts 14

Newton Abbot Colts 10

The Crediton colts pulled off a stunning victory against Devon Cup table toppers Newton Abbot, with a try in the dying minutes sealing victory.

With an early kick off ahead of the First XV on the “Top Pitch” a decent crowd gathered and witnessed two sides giving it their all. 

Truth be told, Crediton made life hard for themselves with a high penalty count and a reluctance to play for territory, but once again the lads showed real resilience and desire to shock the league leaders.

Both sides started keenly, playing with intensity and looking to test each other out.

It was the visitors took the lead in the 13th minute after finding some space out wide and crossing for a try. The conversion was missed and Crediton were 0-5 down.

The half continued with both sides looking to play expansive but neither being able to exert any real dominance.

Arguably Crediton were trying to play in the wrong areas of the pitch and when they did get territory they conspired to give the opposition easy exits through their penalty count.

With 30 minutes gone, Newton went on for their second try after an interception around the halfway line. The conversion was unsuccessful and it was 0-10. 

With half time approaching Crediton needed a score and, having got themselves in a good attacking position, Tariq Sayers went over near the posts.  James Dodge added the extras and as the ref blew for the break it was 7-10.
The second half was much the same and there was no further score until three minutes from the end.

After battering the Newton Abbot line for a number of phases, Sayers was given the ball off a tap penalty and crashed over for his second try wide out. Freddie Blackburn slotted the difficult conversion and Crediton were ahead 14-10.

The lads held out for the final few minutes and were well deserving of the win.

While Crediton weren’t at their best, they did show grit, determination, a will to win and a never say die attitude which ultimately saw them through. 

Well played lads!   

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 11 the First XV travel to Teignmouth who have crept up almost unnoticed to fifth place.

The match is also a Memorial to former Crediton player and Teignmouth coach Geoff Warne who passed away before Covid took a grip.

The Seconds travel to Okehampton for a league fixture whilst the Thirds host Exeter Saracens Second XV in the Merit Table in what will, at least for the moment, Andy Dafters retirement game!

The Colts travel to Brixham for a friendly.

Paul Harris