PAIGNTON 19

CREDITON 29

THE First Fifteen made the journey to Paignton in the knowledge that this would be a tough battle as the Cherries recent upturn in form with three consecutive wins has seen them move up to fifth in the table.

The reality was that it turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining game and a tremendous advert for Cornwall and Devon League rugby.

Both sides tried to play an expansive game, took risks and made mistakes which all added to the entertainment.

The opening 10 minutes were all about Crediton attacking and looking very threatening, the real surprise was that we did not manage to score.

An even bigger surprise came when another attack broke down midway in the Paignton half and the home No 8 pounced on the loose ball and sprinted down the touchline to score in the corner.

A drop goal from Mark Lee reduced the arrears but Paignton restored their advantage with a penalty.

More Crediton pressure came to nothing until centre Chris Simpson broke through a number of defenders to score under the posts, Lee adding the conversion to put us ahead.

The lead did not last long as another penalty put Paignton ahead by a point at the interval.

The lead was extended early in the second half with another penalty and it was certainly looking as though this just was not going to be our day.

Things began to change when the forwards, who had certainly outclassed the home pack throughout, began to take greater control and it looked as though we had scored when a driving maul went over the line but was held up.

The resulting five metres scrum ended with No 8 Mark Nott getting the touch down as Paignton were driven back over their line. Lee converted.

Within minutes a break down the left touchline ended with winger Mike Pearce going over in the corner and suddenly we were 22-14 ahead.

The confidence began to show as more attacks with some superb support play and quality handling kept the momentum going.

However, it was replacement hooker Jordan Patey who made a tremendous break, only to be hauled down 15 metres short.

However he did manage to offload and the resulting maul drove over the home line and it was Patey who got the touchdown which Lee converted.

The game was more or less won and a bonus point in the bag but it was Paignton who had the last word when, after 10 minutes of pressure in the Crediton "22", their full-back took a quick penalty and raced in unopposed for a converted try.

With the top three all gaining bonus point wins the table is looking extremely tight at the top and only points difference is keeping them apart.

The half-way stage is almost here and the second half of the season looks like being extremely exciting.

CREDITON SECONDS 39

BRIXHAM SECONDS 10

The 'Quins were looking to bounce back from their defeat against Barnstaple the previous week although on paper they could not have had a tougher fixture than Brixham.

Nonetheless, the players showed their intent from the kick off and for the opening five minutes Brixham were completely overwhelmed and home flanker Sam Rowe broke off the back of a maul to get the first try.

A second score followed soon after when Brixham were penalised for hands in the ruck, lock Josh Lee showed good awareness and took a quick tap penalty to race through the Brixham defence and go over

Shaken by that early onslaught, Brixham gradually got back into the game and when they got their hands on the ball they looked dangerous in open field.

The Crediton defence never gave them much space and they had to fight hard for any ground gained.

However, on 30 minutes the Crediton line was breached when, after several phases of play, they picked up from the back of a ruck and exploited a gap to go over for a converted try.

This gave Brixham a bit of impetus and although defending well, Crediton were then penalised for offside, giving Brixham an easy penalty kick, making the half-time score 10-10.

Five minutes into the second half Crediton won good line-out ball in the Brixham "22" and set up a fine controlled catch and drive which saw Rob Leach get the final touch down. Again the score went unconverted.

Within 10 minutes Crediton went further ahead when, following a sustained period of pressure on the Brixham line, Brixham repeatedly collapsed the scrum and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try, centre Matt Watkins adding the extras.

Brixham defended solidly and the Crediton backs were finding it difficult to make any clean line breaks and it was flanker Ed Marshall who finally made this breakthrough powering his way through several tacklers for an unconverted try.

Sam Rowe bagged his second try when he broke off from another line-out catch and drive to touch down, with again the conversion being missed.

The final score came from a back but once again it was created by the forwards.

Winning good scrum-ball in the Brixham "22" metres area the Crediton pack drove the Brixham pack back several metres and replacement scrum-half Dan Lewis sniped over for a converted try, making the final score 39-10 to Crediton.

This was a much improved performance from the Crediton players and whilst forward power and aggression set the platform, it was a complete team effort with every single squad member contributing.

It was also pleasing to see two of last year's Colts, Jamie McKenzie and Ed Brady, coming off the bench to make their senior debuts, and I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of these two in the future.

EXETER SARACENS

SECONDS 10

CREDITON HORNETS 61

Although this was a Merit Table fixture, Sarries' decided to make the most of our long-standing social connections and use the game to help raise some funds for Paul Ditchburn, one of their long-standing players, coach, junior and senior committee men, who is very poorly at the moment.

The Sarries' veterans knew how they wanted to play the game and Crediton found it difficult to get any decent ball. When they did, Phil Anning broke through to touch down by the posts.

There then followed some good work by the forwards, picking and driving and ending with a try for Kev Ellis.

Dan Graham was rewarded for his support play, also touching down near the posts.

A keen eye for a gap led to Geoff Davey playing his first game for Crediton at fly-half, scoring twice in quick succession.

Nick Mingo was on first half kicking duty and converted all five tries. Sarries' had the last word of the half though after a series of forward drives they drove over to score wide out making it 35-5 at the interval.

The second half started as the first had finished with a rejuvenated Sarries' scoring first but what was ultimately their final score. 

For the Hornets, Scott Mills went over for a brace of tries, Kev Ellis crashed over the line for his second.

Try of the game though, went to Dan Graham. He fielded the ball well in his own half and ran fully 70 metres to score, a great effort.

Phil Anning was kicking in the second half and converted three of the tries.

The usual clapping off to three cheers was replaced by a clapping off to a thunderous rendition of "Jingle Bells".

The post-match festivities included a marathon of a draw and a well-supported auction, the Crediton Carpet Baggers doing very well for themselves.

This was a great day out and a reminder of what the rugby fraternity is all about. A few younger eyes were opened. 

The win moved the Hornets to the top of the Devon Merit Table Three.

Fixtures for tomorrow, Saturday, December 13 are as follows: First Fifteen v Pirates Amateurs (home); Second Fifteen v Torquay Seconds (away); Third Fifteen v Bideford Thirds (home); Colts Fifteen v Ivybridge (home).

PH