CREDITON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Newent 57 - Crediton 36

SIX tries away from home would normally see you to a comfortable victory although in this case we allowed our hosts to score eight. Defensively we were poor which, in fairness, is not usually the case and will certainly be a cause for concern. A few injuries had taken their toll on the playing strength but the players who stepped in did a great job and proved that they are capable of competing at this level.

Early scores from the home side meant that we would always be playing catch up and by the time we had reached the interval we were well adrift and any thoughts of a major comeback were soon dispelled. However, from being 41-7 down midway through the second half, someone hit the light switch and things began to change for the better.

A rush of tries, five more for us and a couple for Newent, brought the final score to 57-36. Over the past few seasons, defence has been a major strength for us and yet somehow it was a quality that deserted us on the day.

Devon Hosegood, on his return to the First XV, bagged a couple of tries, and there was one apiece for Chris Courtier, Josh Woodland, Dan Yendell and Dean Seals with Ollie Avery-Wright landing three conversions.

Crediton Quins 73 - Teignmouth Seconds 0

It would be simple to suggest that this was an easy game and of course the result does tell its own story.

Teignmouth are certainly to be commended having arrived with only a dozen players, where many clubs would simply have telephoned to say they were not coming. We loaned them three to balance the numbers and 30 players had a game of rugby.

It was very much one way traffic for most of the game and yes we bagged a hatful of tries and improved our points difference. However, in the circumstances it was the fact that, after the 18 months or so that was missed, a game of rugby was played. Josh Pearce with some powerful running led the try scoring with four, Ethan Power touched down twice, and there was a try apiece for Tom O’Donnell, Chris Hooper, Oli Coupe, Will Cole and Josh Atkinson, Tom Ronchetti kicked an impressive nine conversions from 11 attempts.

Bideford Seconds 17 - Crediton Thirds 45

The Thirds travelled to Bideford and this time it was the home side that was short on numbers and once again and in true Third team spirit, we loaned a few to balance the things out and produced an entertaining game.

The first half was fairly even with each side trading scores although the main difference being the excellent place kicking of Hayden Hill and we reached the interval with a reasonably comfortable lead.

However, our by now traditional sleepy start to the second half saw Bideford battle back to within a score. The rude awakening brought the team back to life and in the final quarter we did run away with the game, adding a further four tries including another Wayne Reed grubber kick, this time chased down by his son Sam Reed.

They always say that deep inside every prop is a fly-half trying to emerge!

Richard Grey completed a hat-trick. Skipper Brad Baker bagged a try as did Ryan Styles and Hayden Hill who added four conversions. Styles also landed a conversion.

Crediton Colts 47 - Brixham Colts 19

The Farmers came out on top against the Fishermen as the Colts responded well to last weekend’s disappointing result.

Brixham kicked off up the slope and did well to immediately secure possession. While the opening exchanges were a little cagey, a couple of good defensive hits showed that we were in the mood for a game.

We opened the scoring eight minutes in when, after some good approach play, prop Tom Gulley powered over. Haydn Gosling added the extras to make it 7-0.

Following this score, we began to get a real foothold in the game and were mixing things up well, using the slope to our advantage. After a period of pressure we were awarded a penalty 10 metres out and Gulley rumbled over for his second try with Gosling again adding the extras. At 15 minutes gone, it was 14-0.

Territory was hard to come by for the visitors and when they were in possession our defence was quick and strong, with Freddie Blackburn at outside centre making several stand out tackles.

In attack we looked dangerous, whether spreading the ball wide or keeping it tight. The latter resulted in a further try on 22 minutes when, after a few pick and goes, Will Conner burrowed over. Gosling was again successful with the conversion.

Almost immediately Brixham hit back. After some confusion on our own line, Conner went for a speculative clearance kick which sliced straight into the arms of the visiting centre who crossed under our posts making it 21-7.

Before anyone could catch their breath though, we went in for our fourth try. A good chase of the kick off, a quick turnover and a couple of phases saw winger Ethan Dickinson go over in the corner. Despite the difficult angle Gosling slotted the conversion to put us 28-7 ahead at the break.

With the uphill slope to deal with in the second period, the lads knew they would have to work hard to seal the win and we got off to a flier with Gulley securing his hat-trick in the 38th minute. Gosling was on the money again and at 35-7 things looked comfortable.

Brixham weren’t going to give up and they scored their second try five minutes later. Once again, we responded quickly with Jack Ballett going over and Gosling converting once more. With half an hour remaining the score was 42-12.

Having controlled the game well to this point, we then started to give away a few penalties. We then gave away a few more. The referee’s patience was, understandably, starting to wear thin and the team was put on a final warning.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, we gave away yet another penalty resulting in a yellow card for both Ballett and Conner. At the next breakdown we infringed again, and the referee reached for his pocket again, this time sending skipper Louie Gulley to the bin.

Brixham took advantage and a converted try took the score to 42-19 and with only 12 on the pitch the final minutes of the game would be a real test. As it turned out, we had the final word when Blackburn was given the ball in a bit of space and he glided past a couple of defenders to score. The conversion was missed making the final score 47-19.

This was a very good squad performance built on good retention of the ball, a varied attack and some solid defending. The penalty count against us was, not for the first time, far too high though and the players need to address this!

A special mention must be made for Haydn Gosling who was in sublime form with his goalkicking, successfully converting six out of seven.

Jay Harris

Cullompton Under 16s 19 - Crediton Under 16s 29

The Under 16s continued their improved form with a well-earned victory away at Cullompton. The home side were a couple short and so it was great to see some of the Kirton boys turn out for the opposition in the true spirit of rugby – well done lads.

With both sides enjoying some territory and possession during the first quarter it was a very even opening to the game although neither team could make a breakthrough.

We were making some good ground down the flanks, but the odd pass was going astray.

After a mid-half break, we were immediately on the attack. A penalty kick to the corner gave the pack a good opportunity to set up a catch and drive. Cully successfully stopped the maul but Harry Grigg broke from the back to surge towards the line. He was held up just short but from the resulting ruck, Ben Harris went over to make it 0-5.

Cullompton came straight back at us. We looked to have executed a good exit from the kickoff but a great return from their winger saw him jink through several players to score and it was 5-5.

The game continued to be an even contest although we were just about edging things up front. As half-time approached, we worked ourselves back into a good attacking position and Harris bulldozed his way over for his second try. James Howard converted and at the break the score was 5-12.

The second half started much as the first ended. From an attacking scrum, Harris broke from the base and powered over for his hat-trick extending the lead to 5-17.

We were certainly in control, but Cullompton had some dangerous players, particularly in the backs, and looked like they could cut loose and cause a few problems. And that’s exactly what they did. Howard found himself in the bin and while we were down to 14 men, a couple of quick tries, both converted, put the hosts 19-17 up.

The Kirton lads could have cracked at this point but stayed calm and with Howard back in the mix, went back on the attack.

Some good interplay between the forwards and backs lead to a ruck close to the Cullompton line and Harvey Murfitt used his strength to drive over for a try which Howard converted. That wasn’t it though as, on the stroke of full-time Harris crossed for his fourth try of the morning making the final score 19-29.

A cracking performance and great result, well done lads. You showed character and worked hard for each other. Things are coming together nicely.

Jay Harris

This evening, Friday, November 12, the Third XV travel to Tiverton for a friendly fixture under lights.

Tomorrow, the Colts are at home against Topsham, and England v Australia will be on TV at the Club afterwards.

Paul Harris