Crediton Colts 15 - Wadebridge Colts 7

WADEBRIDGE turned up with a strong side and a reputation for playing some good rugby and they certainly lived up to both aspects during the match on February 26.

For our part, a few players missing through holidays and rugby commitments with Exeter Chiefs, we only had one replacement.

We played up the slope in the first half and it seemed that whatever the visitors threw at us, the Crediton defence held firm much to the annoyance of their coach whose bellowed instructions could be heard at Newton St Cyres.

It was not all one way traffic in the first half and Crediton certainly caused problems but both defences were in no mood to surrender the first score.

However, it was Louie Gulley who broke the deadlock after some excellent play by the forwards and he barged over for a 5-0 lead.

Wadebridge tried to use their backs but again they were unable to get through. The occasional kick for position was ably dealt with and, when we attacked, centre Freddie Borthen always made ground. A little more accuracy with the pass would have helped the cause but we did go into the interval with a 5-0 lead.

Wadebridge attacked from the off in the second half and the pressure brought them reward with a converted try to lead 7-5. As is so often the case, the apparent benefit of the slope is not used to full advantage.

It happened to Wadebridge in the first half and certainly seemed to be the case for us in the second. As Wadebridge piled on the pressure we defended superbly to prevent them from adding to their score.

A long penalty kick to the corner gave us an attacking lineout and after several phases with a driving maul, Gulley went over for his second try to regain the lead.

With 10 minutes remaining, Crediton who had already used their replacement because of injury were forced to reduce to 14 with another injury.

Under normal circumstances and at this level, it is recommended that in the interests of fairness, the opponents would reduce to 14 to balance things out.

The visitors decided it would not be in their interests to do this and so we continued one player short.

Fortunately, in the final minute, justice was done when from another driving maul, Joe Wreford dived over to secure the victory.

A really entertaining game with both sides evenly matched, which made for a tremendous contest.

It is such a shame to have to watch a game and listen to a coach shouting out his instructions for 80 minutes in a way that would have drowned the loudest of ghetto blasters!

Crediton Thirds 0 - Topsham Seconds 52

It is difficult not to have sympathy for the Third XV as they came up against a Topsham side that contained several University players.

The scoreline simply does not reflect the effort put in by the players but when you have young opponents who are as quick as any player that the First XV would come across during a season, there is very little that can be done.

Every player battled to the end and certainly the Topsham forwards were made to struggle but with their quick backs we had no answer and most of their tries came from deep.

Tomorrow, the First XV entertain Newent, the Seconds visit Teignmouth, the Thirds host Bideford Seconds and the Colts host Okehampton.

Paul Harris