AS the girls game grows throughout the country, Crediton Rugby Club is proving itself to be an excellent host to many girls who wish to join in a game that provides fitness, camaraderie, a sense of worth and community.

Last Sunday (September 15) saw the club field teams across the three girls age groups: Under 13s, Under 15s and Under 18s which involved around 70 girls.

When you add in the visiting team from Paignton and Camborne this saw virtually 120 girls displaying their talents across the Crediton club’s pitches. It was truly a sight to be seen and one which the town should be rightly proud of.

Under 13s: Playing in their first game of the new season, the Crediton Under 13s produced a fantastic performance. With the day’s visitors, Camborne and Paignton, joining forces it was agreed that four 10-minute quarters of 10-a-side would be played allowing for changes to ensure that every girl got some action.

Crediton threw themselves into the game and got off to a fast start scoring first, but then the combined visitors came back strongly and in an action packed and closely fought contest, the first period ended 15-10 to the Black and Amber’s.

From the start of the second quarter to the end of the game Crediton took full control of proceedings, running in a plethora of great tries. The pre-season work paid dividends and the girls provided lots of positives, most notably the handling and passing which was excellent considering it was their first game together and the tackling, which on a dry hard pitch was very good indeed.

The game finished 40-15, giving the youngest side in the Crediton Girls rugby ranks the perfect start to the season.

The coaches for the young Crediton side were effusive in their summary, commenting: “We are so proud of the girls performance today. The heat, dry ground and a line up that has never played could have conspired to create real problems for us but, outside of the technical aspects of the game, the most pleasing thing from today’s result was the effort put in by everyone, and the all-round teamwork shown. It is this kind of commitment that will serve us well during the season to come.”

They continued: “Thanks to Chris Rice for your help with the team today. Also thanks to first aiders and kitchen helpers whose presence allows these games to go ahead.

“Finally, well done to captains Gracie and Charlotte for sorting the shirts and leaving the changing rooms clean and tidy.”

Try scorers: Anna - Charlotte - Lucy - Millie - Livvy - Ellie-May - Gracie - Jasmin; Tackle of the day - Livvy.

Under 15’s: All of the plans made were thrown in the air for the Crediton Under 15s girls this Sunday. The plan to play a three-way fixture fell away immediately as the numbers from the visitors meant that wasn’t possible.

The coaches agreed that Paignton and Camborne would amalgamate and four girls from Crediton would join them so a 15-a-side game could be played.

Once the admin was complete, the game got underway and Crediton flew out of the blocks again taking control of the game and moving the ball up the pitch with some outstanding rucking and passing. The opposition tackled well but the relentless pressure created by the Crediton Girls led to two tries in the opening period, both converted, for a half time lead of 14-0.

The second half called for more planning on the hoof as the hot sun, hard ground and a couple of heavy collisions led to more swapping around, as well as a reduction in numbers, and the game becoming a bit more fragmented.

This presented new challenges for the Kirton Girls and it was encouraging to see them talking to each other to solve their problems and the more experienced girls providing support and help to those playing their first game or their first experience in a certain position.

Now playing down the famous “Crediton Slope” the Black and Amber’s made their superiority tell, firstly with a lovely off load to a runner who burst through the opposition line to score, quickly followed by a great kick over the top which was chased down and collected for another try.

More pressure play saw Crediton pick up their fifth try of the match, but then the mixed opposition side eventually got on the score sheet with a break through and sprint down the wing. Ironically, it was one of the Crediton Girls that got the score.

The final score came from a scrum won by the Crediton pack under the posts and fed to a runner who broke the defence for yet another score. With Crediton picking up five conversions to go with their six try’s the final score was a very satisfying 40-5 victory in the girls first home game of the season.

With two very tough games now looming up on the horizon, rivals Kingsbridge followed by Cullompton in the cup, the coaches for the Under 15’s are happy with how the team is progressing, commenting after the game they said: “We were delighted with the girls today. There was a lot of on-going confusion and swapping around before and during the game but the girls kept their heads and concentrated on the job in-hand and produced a very impressive performance. Especially when you consider that around six were girls playing in their first ever game. Thank you to the girls for stepping up and for the rest of the squad who helped them get settled in and offered support and advice when needed.”

They continued: “We’d like to offer a special ‘Thank You’ to the girls that played for the opposition today. Not only did it mean that a full game could be played but we were very proud of the way that they played throughout the game, giving everything, including a the try.

“We know we’re biased but they were the best players we played against today. We also hope that the girls injured today all recover quickly and we look forward to seeing you very soon.”

The Coaches finished by adding: “Everyone in the team would like to thank all of the parents that came along and supported today and especially those helping with admin and those in the kitchen working hard to provide us with the after match meal.

“It’s the things like that, when everyone pitches in, that make this team, and indeed this club, something we should all be proud to be a part of.”

Under 18s: The Under 18s, like their younger counterparts, pitched themselves against a clustered side of Paignton and Camborne that enabled a 15-a-side game to go ahead. The sweltering heat coupled with strong opposition made for a tough first game of the season and with this being their first game as a squad, the germination of what promises to be a good side showed.

The girls got off to a great start, matching their opposition in what, initially, was a war of attrition with the first half being scoreless.

The play moved from one end of the pitch to the other, however excellent tackling and defending from both sides thwarted most attacking prowess. In the unusually hot September sun both teams were to be commended for their application to the cause.

In the second period it was the visitors that side went over to score first. And it was this action that kick-started a determined Crediton response.

An excellent display of support and offloading on the wing between Caitlyn and Laura created a run that took the Black and Amber’s down a third of the pitch. The scrummaging, despite worries before the game, was good and towards the end of the contest the girls started to come together and were getting some structure to their play.

This was demonstrated to best effect when the Crediton Girls moved the ball out wide from a breakdown. With good handling across the line, this resulted in a try on the wing from Holly Keast. Unfortunately the conversion from Holly was a little short of the post, but was good effort.

The game culminated in a 5-5 draw, a testament to the defensive resolution of each side.

For a first outing, amongst a squad that covers three age groups, (with Girls rugby moving from Under 15s straight to Under 18s), the coaches were delighted with what was shown on Sunday and are looking forward to the rest of the season, saying: “It will take a game or two for this squad to fully gel and begin to understand, utilise and play to everyone’s strengths. There is a lot of ability in this squad and as their confidence in each other, their communication and familiarity grows by the week, they will become a side ready to challenge anyone they encounter.”

The coaches finished by adding: “Well done to all players today because many of you played out of your usual positions, some in three different positions throughout the game (as the hot weather and minor injuries reduced the game to an 11-a-side).

“Thank you to Captain Emily and vice-captain Holly P who led the side well and to everyone that helped out behind the scenes.”

All of the Crediton Girls teams will be in action at home again this coming Sunday (September 22) with crunch games against long-term rivals Kingsbridge and other sides.

With breakfast being served at the club in the morning, England’s first World Cup game being shown at 11am and the prospect of some hard fought, competitive games in the afternoon, the club would love to see crowds come to show support for its young ladies in their endeavours.