BARNSTAPLE SECONDS 22 - CREDITON ‘QUINS 23

THE ‘Quins have faced a number of tough fixtures already this season and the trip to Barnstaple would prove no different.

With their First Fifteen playing in National League Two South, Barum Seconds should be the strongest side we play this season but to this young Crediton side, they were simply just another team.

Immediately from the kick off we were playing high tempo rugby and almost took the lead on 10 minutes with a try in the corner but play was brought back for foot in touch.

Within minutes however we did get on the scoreboard with a penalty from fly-half Josh Davey after a Barnstaple player infringed.

The ‘Quins continued to put pressure on the home side not allowing Barnstaple to get into the game and after 22 minutes we scored again.

Following several phases of play a quick ball was released to the backs and Josh Davey stepped back inside his tackler to go over for a try, to which he also added the extras.

Inevitably we were unable to keep the momentum going and Barnstaple gradually battled their way back into the game and on 28 minutes they pulled a score back.

Getting a good field position they won a line-out from which their forwards set up a good driving maul to go over for a converted try.

Minutes later they scored again courtesy of a needless penalty which once again gave them a good field position and they repeated their catch and rive move off the lineout for another converted try.

By now, it was the ‘Quins who were being pinned down in their own half and after 37 minutes Barnstaple got their third try. A loose ball was kicked through by a Barnstaple player and he then won a straight footrace to touch down for an unconverted try.

Right on half-time Crediton were again penalised for being offside and the penalty kick was duly converted to make the half-time score 10-22 to Barnstaple.

The ‘Quins started the second half as they did the first, playing with intensity and within minutes they were awarded a penalty when Barnstaple strayed offside and which Josh Davey converted.

We continued probing the Barnstaple defence and on 65 minutes following several phases of play winger Dan Cooper raced onto a good ball to go over for a well-taken try which went unconverted to bring us to within four points.

The ‘Quins were by now dominating proceedings and the pressure on the home defence was relentless and that pressure brought the just reward, Barnstaple were penalised for handling on the ground and the kick was put into the corner for a line-out.

Flanker Josh Pearce once again secured good line-out ball from which the Crediton forwards set up a strong controlled driving maul and Tom Luxmore was on-hand to get the final touch down for an unconverted try.

With minutes left on the clock Barnstaple threw everything they had at the ‘Quins but the defence remained solid and the game ended with the score 23-22 to Crediton.

Playing probably some of their best rugby to-date this was a very impressive display by a very young Crediton team against their National League Two opponents, a performance that they now need to carry into their next game.

CREDITON THIRDS 22 - OKEHAMPTON THIRDS 43

Crediton and Okehampton produced an entertaining game which was a tremendous advert for Third team rugby, the visitors had the advantage of size and experience but the home side never gave up in an end-to-end game.

The early moments saw Crediton take the initiative but it did not last long as the Oke’s began to gain possession and put pressure on the home defence and grabbed an early try through Ed Jones.

This was soon followed by a Paul Alford try as the experienced Okey side began to take control.

Crediton hit back with a try from winger Mark Small, making his Club debut. The Oke’s stretched their lead with two more tries, one from Ian Scrivenor and both converted by Lee Carey.

The second half saw the young Crediton side hit back but they could never get close enough to trouble the visitors.

Replacement fly-half Mark Gulley grabbed a couple of tries with full-back, Phil Aning adding a conversion.

Crediton skipper Sam Locke grabbed a try to cut the lead to seven points. However, within minutes the visitors responded with another seven pointer.

Okey had the final word with two tries, one of which was converted.

OKEHAMPTON COLTS 14 - CREDITON COLTS 7

This game was abandoned after 55 minutes after an injury to Crediton hooker Rob Lancaster.

Fortunately, Rob is ok and we all wish him well.

The game itself was a close affair and centre Josh Woodland scored the Colts try with Conrad Saunders adding the conversion.

Paul Harris