AFTER a week off, Crediton RFC First Team made the short trip to Newton Abbot RFC for the next round of the Regional Two Tribute South West League, looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Crediton started the game on the offensive and with only two minutes on the clock they took an early lead.

A good line out ball, won on the half-way line, resulted in a powerful driving maul, which went deep into the Newton Abbot “22” metre area before the ball was released to centre Kevin Dennis, who went over for an unconverted try.

The home side soon settled though and were proving difficult to break down. At the same time they were also making our defence work hard at times. After 17 minutes they got on the scoreboard.

A period of possession and pressure deep in Crediton’s half saw Newton create several phases of play before the ball was spun wide for the winger to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Crediton’s response was almost immediate and once again it was through the forwards, who were causing the home defence problems.

A series of pick and goes close to the try line saw lock, Josh Lee, eventually force his way over for a try, with Ollie Avery Wright adding the extras.

Just before half-time the lead was increased further when a fine break from scrum-half Ed Brady took play deep inside the Newton Abbot territory and after several good phases, Chris Courtier touched down for an unconverted try. At half-time the score was Newton Abbot 5 - Crediton 17.

The home side started the second half with renewed vigour and reduced the arrears on 44 minutes with a penalty, after we were caught offside.

Once again, though the response came fairly quickly, when continued pressure in the home half saw number 8 Dan Lee go over for a bonus point try, with Ollie Avery Wright adding the extras.

Crediton continued to incur the wrath of the referee, conceding a number of penalties which cost us momentum and kept Newton in the game.

Newton Abbot reduced the arrears after 54 minutes when some unusually poor defending allowed their winger to break through and go over for an unconverted try.

Within minutes they added a further score to their total when good control and pressure in Crediton’s half saw their centre run a very good line to go over for a converted try, to bring the score to 20 – 24, a one-score game.

Newton had their tails up and went in search of a score that would give them the lead whilst at the same time Crediton were struggling to recapture the rhythm from earlier games.

A combination of a high penalty count and dogged home defending were proving disruptive. However, Crediton did manage to gain some breathing space when hooker Dan Yendell forced his way over after 66 minutes following a period of pressure close to the home line, OAW again adding the extras.

The final few minutes was very much a case of constant pressure and it was no surprise when Dan Lee scored his second try after 74 minutes when he finished off a strong catch and drive from a line out, with OAW landing the conversion.

A minute later and Crediton completed the scoring with try number seven, probably the pick of the tries.

A fine break-out from inside Crediton’s half and they upped the tempo winning a quick-phase ball before it was spun wide for Josh Woodland to do what he does so well, breaking tackles to score out wider for an unconverted try.

To win a game with a try bonus point and with 43 points on the scoreboard one would assume everyone would be happy.

However, as a group, the players have set the bar pretty high this season and they were all aware that maybe on this occasion they did not reached the standards that they have set themselves.

Six wins from the opening six games whilst not a record, is nonetheless impressive especially given that four of those games have been away from home.

It is Crediton’s best opening run since 2000-01 when they won the first eight games.

Jeff Bowers

Cullompton Seconds 14 -
CreditonSeconds 12

For the second successive week, the Seconds found themselves at Cullompton, this time a league game as opposed to last week’s cup fixture which they won quite conclusively.

However, as is so often the case, a repeat performance is hard to achieve second time around.

The game was very evenly contested although what ultimately proved Crediton’s downfall was the regularity with which they conceded penalties at crucial times.

Both sides struggled to gain the ascendancy in what became something of an attritional battle.

The even contest was scoreless in the first quarter but it was lock Josh Atkinson who got the scoreboard moving with a well taken try, converted by Tom Ronchetti.

Cullompton levelled before the interval which was reached with the scores all square.

Atkinson then added a second try mid-way through the second half and at 12-7 and hopes were high of another victory.

However, the penalty count later in the game proved costly as a yellow card reduced Crediton to 14 players and a weakening of the scrum.

Crediton did hold out for a period but in the end the pressure told and Cully grabbed the try to level things, and the conversion gave them victory.

Crediton had no time for a last ditch effort to rescue the result.

The First and Seconds seemed to suffer similar problems with the penalty count.

For the Firsts it made little difference to the outcome but for the Seconds it did prove to be the turning point.

Fortunately, there is plenty of time left in the season to put these things right.

Bobby Mogford

Bideford Seconds 48 -

Crediton Thirds 15

As always, the Thirds put up stout resistance against a strong Bideford Second XV who remain unbeaten in the Merit Table.

It is to their credit that the Thirds kept going to the end and the contest was never one-sided.

Veteran prop Kev Ellis was on-hand to score two tries with Aiden White adding the third.

Shaun Timms

Crediton Colts 17 - Exeter
Saracens Colts 14

Yet another incredibly close game for the Colts XV, as Crediton wound up the first stage of the cup competition with a victory over visiting Exeter Saracens.

Arguably Crediton could and should have scored more points particularly in the second half but were thwarted by some excellent defence from the Sarries lads.

As with last week’s game against Bideford, Crediton were slow out of the blocks.

Playing up the slope and against the wind on the Leisure Centre pitch Crediton faced an early onslaught from the visitors who showed their intent right from the start.

Within five minutes Crediton were 0-7 down and seemed to be a long way off the pace of the game.

This was a definite wake-up call but not enough to get Crediton firing on all cylinders.

The breakdown was messy, the visitors were more tenacious and Crediton looked a bit out of sorts.

However, we have said before that this bunch of lads has a great attitude and you write them off at your peril.

With 20 minutes gone, Crediton put pressure on the Sarries scrum and, as the ball bobbled around, skipper Ben Baxter was quick to pounce for the try. The extras were missed and it was 5-7.

Crediton were slowly getting a foothold in the game, but Sarries still looked threatening.

It felt that if Crediton could hold the score until half-time, they might be able to use the elements to their favour. And that they did.

Early in the second period Crediton played for territory and with good possession in the attacking “22” were able to put the visiting defence under pressure. 

Five minutes in, Harvey Murfitt powered over and Kofi Firth converted to put Crediton in the lead for the first time 12-7.

Crediton continued to play rugby in the opposition half but squandered chances, some through their own decision making and others because of strong defence.

A further breakthrough was made with 15 minutes to go. 

A Sarries clearance kick was fielded by full-back Timmy Osbourne on halfway.

After dancing round a number of would-be tacklers, he timed his pass perfectly to Charlie Gribble who raced in to score. With the conversion going wide, the lead was extended to 17-7.

Up until the final minute, Crediton remained camped in the attacking half of the pitch but were unable to add to the scoreline before the visitors scored with the final play of the game.  Full time score 17-14.

Well done lads, the result means Crediton finish top of their group for stage one of the competition and await details of how stage two will look. 

Stat of the day – Crediton won all three games by scoring 17 points.

Jay Harris

Crediton Ladies 15 - North
Petherton Ladies 5

On Sunday, October 16 Crediton Ladies welcomed North Petherton Ladies to Blagdon for their third League game of the season.

From the start it was apparent that the Somerset team were a very powerful well-drilled side, who were not going to lay down for Crediton and piled a considerable amount of pressure on the home side.

Despite this, Crediton continued to battle for possession until a ruck was formed just inside Crediton’s half, from which Emily Blatchford picked up the ball and raced down the blindside to score out wide.

The difficult kick to add the extra points drifted wide, leaving the score at 5-0.

Crediton started to grow in confidence and with some very strong running from Sarah Kingdom, Lorraine Cleverdon-Brend and Michelle Greedy just to mention a few, placed the ladies on the front foot.

Some dominant rucking, gave Rachel Mortimer the time and composure to kick the ball into open space in the back field, the chase was on as the Crediton’s backline flooded through the defensive line to gather the ball, but it was Rachel who was there first to collect and score. Again the extra points on offer were missed, score 10-0.

Towards the tail end of the first half, North Petherton launched an attack of their own and splintered Crediton’s defence to score under the posts.

But missing the conversion bringing the score to 10-5 at half-time to the home side.

The second half was more of a neutral battle, Crediton playing up the slope into a blustery wind struggled to gain territory but with excellent lineout work and a pack that started to dominate at scrum time.

Crediton were on the march once again pressurising North Petherton’s line with some lovely handling skills from backs and forwards alike.

This gave Sarah Kingdon the opportunity to storm through to touch down in the corner. The opportunity to add the extra points were missed making the score 15-5.

It was a nerve racking last few minutes as the away side gave it one final push, but it was not to be and Crediton were the victors.

Congratulations must go to Tasha Currie who played her 50th game for the club and also becoming the first lady to run the line for Crediton First XV, away at Newton Abbot on Saturday, October 22.

Forward of the match went to Michelle Greedy and back of the match went to Rachel Mortimer.

The Ladies are away on Sunday, October 23 to Penryn. A coach will be running so if any loyal supporters fancy an away-day please contact Jen Mortimer for availability, otherwise Crediton will be home on Sunday, November 13 where they take on Topsham Ladies.

Kevin Ellis

On Saturday, October 22 the First XV will host North Petherton in the league, the Seconds will also at home in a league match against Exeter Athletic.

The Thirds travel to South Molton for a Merit Table fixture and the Colts will enjoy a friendly at Tavistock.

Paul Harris