HAYLE 11

CREDITON 20

CREDITON bounced back from the disappointing home defeat against Falmouth with a deserved but nonetheless hard earned victory at Hayle, who are our longest standing regular Cornish fixture, going back nearly 50 years.

To put the result into perspective, it is only the eighth time we have won on their ground in all that time.

Whilst we generally looked the better side throughout especially in defence, there was never enough of a lead to feel comfortable – until the last kick of the game!

We began in confident mood, dominating possession and territory without gaining any advantage on the scoreboard and, having weathered the storm, it was the home side that spurned the first clear cut opportunity when their fly-half opted to chip over the top instead of getting the ball out wide.

The kick went dead and the chance was gone.

Another Crediton attack on 16 minutes produced the first score, as Hayle were caught offside and Mark Lee popped over the penalty.

Ten minutes later and Hayle were level, this time Crediton conceding a penalty which was popped over and the game proceeded to the interval with both side cancelling each other out.

Three minutes into the second half and we were ahead again, this time Lee put a superb penalty kick to the corner and from the resulting lineout the forwards drove to the line and No 7, Mark Nott, grabbed the touch down, Lee converted for a 10-3 lead.

Back came Hayle and the deficit was reduced with a penalty which gave them the spur to put more pressure on the Crediton defence.

However, their handling was found wanting and at times it seemed they were throwing a pasty around rather than a ball.

Much to the relief of the visiting support, the rock like Crediton defence held firm and another mammoth Lee penalty took Crediton back to the corner for another catch and drive try for Nott, which again Lee converted.

With 15 minutes remaining, replacement hooker, Stuart Pickard, was yellow carded and Crediton were down to 14 and Hayle made their numerical advantage count with a try out wide, to leave us only six points ahead and an uncomfortable last 10 minutes.

The travelling band of Crediton supporters suffered a few moments of heart palpitations until, with the final kick of the game, Lee slotted a penalty to secure victory and a buoyant trip home.

Crediton 30

Veor 5

Crediton celebrated the Club Ladies' Day with a hard fought battle against visiting Veor who provided sterner opposition than perhaps many people thought.

Any ideas of Crediton repeating the feat achieved by neighbours, Tiverton, two weeks earlier with a 73-0 win, were soon dispelled as Veor showed a battling spirit and certainly shook the home side at the first scrum, which they took against the head.

The opening exchanges provided a competitive forward battle and whilst the home side looked dangerous with the ball in hand they were let down by basic errors and a tendency to hang on to the ball in the tackle, for which they were constantly penalised.

Veor defended superbly in the first half and gave Crediton the odd scare when they attacked.

It took 18 minutes to get the scoreboard moving when Veor were turned over in midfield, thanks to lock Declan McDonnell, who wrestled the ball away and set Crediton on a flowing three-quarter move which ended with winger Tom Foan going over in the corner.

Within minutes, home fly-half, Mark Lee, landed a penalty to increase the lead.

Home centre, Andy McLeod, was then sin-binned for a misdemeanour at the end of the first half.

The second period began with Crediton trying to force the game but they were undone when Veor cleared their lines and took play to the Crediton '22', where they earned themselves a penalty.

The resulting lineout was won by the visitors and from the ruck the ball went wide for winger, Gareth Mankee, to celebrate his birthday with a try as he squeezed in the corner.

The try only served to inspire the Crediton side and, indeed it was the jolt they needed as they burst into a period of action.

No 8, Mark Nott, who had been causing problems all afternoon with his rampaging runs, increased the lead with a pushover try as the home side's fitness began to tell. Lee added the extras.

Whilst the weather was not helping the handling, Crediton continued to throw the ball about and it was Lee who dotted down the third try after clever work from Nott and replacement prop, Wayne Reed, Lee again landing the conversion.

The home side then went in search of the bonus point try and thought they had it when Nott got close to the line from a driving maul.

Veor continued to play with huge heart and spirit but were unable to prevent the final try, again scored by Lee as he broke clear and cut inside to touch down. He then added the conversion with virtually the last kick of the game.

Scorers (Crediton): tries Lee (2), Nott, Foan; conversions: Lee (2); penalties: Lee (2); Veor: try G Mankee.

BRIXHAM SECONDS 25 CREDITON SECONDS 0

The 'Quins were disappointed with the result at Brixham and whilst the scoreline would indicate otherwise, the Crediton side felt there was not a huge difference in the two sides.

Brixham took the chances that they created, whereas Crediton did not.

The forwards were a match for the home side but we just could not find that bit extra to make pressure count in the opposition '22'.

CREDITON THIRDS 3 BUCKFASTLEIGH 9

The Third Fifteen entertained Devon Two leaders, Buckfastleigh and despite neither side managing a try, they produced a very enjoyable game.

The Ramblers landed three penalties to one from Crediton.

Even more encouraging was the fact that the Third Fifteen had a number of replacements, a luxury that we have not had for a number of years.

PH