CREDITON 18

EXETER UNI. 53

THE battle between the two teams placed second and third in the league proved a largely one-sided affair, as the students ran Crediton off their feet with a superb display of quality running rugby.

The home side battled throughout but were second best in most departments, especially for the first hour.

The home defence which, until that day had been the best in the league was, at times, left floundering. This University side would not have any difficulty in surviving comfortably in National Three.

They had quality all over the park and will certainly be favourites, along with Tiverton, for the two promotion spots.

Crediton will be disappointed but nonetheless proved they could compete with a much improved second half performance

Ironically, it was Crediton who took the lead with a penalty from fly-half, Tom Ronchetti, on 10 minutes but it did not last long as the University hit back immediately.

The hosts were caught napping having conceded a free kick 30 metres out, which visiting flanker, Doug Ebanks, took quickly and raced home to score; centre Augusto Coulich converted.

The University piled on the pressure and on 20 minutes increased the lead when centre Mike Arnells was given too much room and his pace took him clear to touch down.

Ten minutes later and a driving maul was held up by Crediton but the visitors managed to break down the blind side for winger, Beau Archer, to score in the corner.

Archer bagged a second try two minutes later and fly-half, George Kimmins, converted.

Crediton were not getting a look in and the University grabbed another seven pointer before the interval.

The second half began in the same fashion as the first had ended and before anyone had a chance to catch breath, the visitors had crossed the line twice more.

With pride to play for, Crediton began to show what they are capable of achieving and as they managed to keep hold of the ball scored three tries in quick succession.

The first came after the best period of pressure produced a penalty eight metres out and No 8, Mark Nott, spotted an opportunity and took it quickly and forced his way over.

Nott was again involved in the next try, when he broke from a scrum 10 metres out and fed inside to flanker, Gav Best, who went over.

A penalty to the corner then produced a catch and drive, with flanker Ben Wonnacott, peeling off and racing over. Then, as Crediton searched for at least a bonus point try, they were turned over and the Students attacked from deep to score and they then had the last word with a driving maul try in the final minute.

Scorers – Crediton – Tries: Nott, Best and Wonnacott; penalty: Ronchetti.

University - Tries: Archer (3), Ebanks (2), Shirlaw (2), Annells and Rushworth; conversions: Coulich (3), Kimmins.

Crediton 'Quins 10

Cullompton

Seconds 34

In what was described as "a bad day at the office", the 'Quins suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of visiting Cullompton.

Three tries from the visitors in the final quarter finished Crediton off in what had been an evenly contested game for the first hour.

Tries from full-back Nathan Ronchetti and winger Brad Baker, were the Crediton scorers.

Cullompton Thirds 5 Crediton Thirds 40

Crediton Hornets continued their impressive form in the Merit Table with a convincing win at Cullompton.

Tries from hooker Jake Henson, No 8 Sam Brooke, centre Paul Tearle, full-back Ben Rogers and winger Shannon Bloye who nipped in for two.

Scrum-half Ashley Wonnacott capped a fine display with five conversions.

South Molton Colts 5

Crediton Colts 37

The Colts had an emphatic win at South Molton, scoring seven tries in total.

Will Jermyn touched down twice and there was a try apiece for Will Goodman, James Goodman, Oscar Lightfoot, Ollie Down and Joel Keogh. Jermyn landed one conversion. PH