CREDITON 48 - TIVERTON 23

MARCH proved a difficult month for Crediton RFC with some tough fixtures including the other four sides in the top five but we have come through it in second place with two games to go.

The month finished on the brightest of notes with a superb win on March 30 to complete the “double” over our neighbours Tiverton, a feat last achieved in 2002-03 albeit neither were league games.

This was no “run of the mill” victory, it came from a performance that surpassed any other seen at home this season, it was full of quality in every department. Tiverton were no ordinary side either as they arrived here on the back of a thumping win the previous week and in fairness they also turned up full of intent and a desire to play an expansive game.

During the opening minutes they certainly showed that desire as they came at us all guns blazing and within two minutes were on the scoreboard with a penalty from fly-half Olly Toomey as we encroached offside.

However, that score was cancelled out when Ollie Avery-Wright reciprocated two minutes later. The visitors regained the lead with another penalty for a “no arm” tackle which Toomey popped over, that though was as good as it got for Tivvy as we began to take control.

Full-back Ollie Down fielded a clearance kick and ran straight back before putting winger Josh Pearce away for a try, Avery-Wright converted. We were playing with real confidence and looked dangerous whenever the backs had the ball and the support play from the forwards ensured that there always seemed to be someone on-hand to receive a pass.

Tivvy were struggling to contain us at times and it was no surprise when we added to our score. This time it was No 8 Ben Wonnacott who made the initial break taking the ball into the “22” before offloading to Down who once again proved too quick for the Tiverton defenders, Avery-Wright added the additional two points for 17-6.

It was by no means one way traffic and Tivvy certainly had their moments but the way we defended meant they had to attack from long distance.

However, they reduced the arrears when our defence strayed offside and Toomey had no difficulty with the kick.

Immediately from the restart it was Mason who was first on the scene as two Tivvy forwards appeared to have secured possession from the kick but it was Mason who came away with the ball and broke clear before shipping on to centre Mark Lee whose angled run caught the visiting defenders totally wrong-footed and he was in under the posts, Avery-Wright converted for 24-9.

By now we were looking dangerous every time we had the ball but Tiverton responded quickly and another penalty went their way but this time it was a kick to the corner which worked well for them as lock Skelding got the touch down from a catch and drive with Toomey adding the extras, 24-16.

We were certainly well on top but Tivvy were showing flashes of their capabilities but our defence was outstanding yet again, especially in their half of the pitch as we frustrated their efforts to set up any form of attack.

With three tries in the bag within the first half-hour, thoughts were turning to a bonus point and when Josh Lee escaped the Tiverton clutches to break clear and a perfectly timed offload to the supporting Wonnacott who secured the bonus point try, Avery-Wright maintained his 100 per cent record with the conversion, 31-16.

Tiverton were certainly not going to lie down and back they came and Toomey threaded a clever grubber kick through and winger Alex Pike won the chase to touch down, Toomey added the conversion, 31-23.

A thoroughly entertaining half with six tries and more than 50 points scored what would the second half bring?

For 25 minutes, it was all Crediton, the visitors were simply unable to spend much time in our “22” but equally we were unable to break them down.

However, the pressure gradually built with a series of penalties in our favour some 10 metres out and we opted for a scrum each time and each time the forwards had the edge eventually though. From a ruck it was Wonnacott who came in at pace and the perfectly timed pass saw him over the line, Avery-Wright converted and soon after landed a penalty.

By now the game was beyond the reach of Tiverton and for the entire half they had barely had a sniff of a chance. With the clock running down, Tivvy lost possession just inside our half and some quick thinking from Avery-Wright with a chip over the top down the touchline for scrum-half Ed Brady to chase down and score at the posts, Avery-Wright converted to complete the scoring, 48-23

Both sides contributed to an excellent game of rugby and our work rate for the entire 80 minutes was phenomenal and fitness was a major factor.

The quality of our game was of a high standard both in attack and defence and from one to 18 every player played a full part in the victory and the score was a genuine reflection of the game.

For their part, Tiverton contributed much to an entertaining game but lacked any edge in the backs and found themselves exposed defensively on a few occasions. Nonetheless they look likely to finish their season in fifth place although some 30 points or so behind third place.

With two games remaining we are still two points behind Sidmouth and one ahead of Wellington so it is still all to play for. We travel to relegation battlers Truro tomorrow, Saturday, April 7 and again we cannot take anything for granted.

Truro is never an easy place to win, we have not done so since January 2007. It seems inconceivable that Sidmouth will slip up in their last two games at home against bottom placed Paignton and away at Saltash but in the event that they do we must be in a position to take advantage.

It could be our best chance is via the play-offs and, should we finish as runners-up, then our likely opponents will be Midsomer Norton. However, if we slip up then Wellington will be looking to take advantage - our destiny is in our hands and if we can maintain the form shown last Saturday then there is no reason why we should not achieve promotion.

It was not all bad news for Tiverton as their Seconds won the Merit Table game against the Crediton ‘Quins 26-10.

CREDITON COLTS 34

TAVISTOCK COLTS 0

Despite the emphatic scoreline, Tavistock made the Colts work hard for victory in the semi-final of the Devon Colts Plate competition and contributed to a very entertaining game.

Both sides showed huge commitment and no little skill, it was indeed an excellent advert for Colts rugby and played in a tremendous spirit. In the previous two group games, the difference between the two sides was a mere nine points over the two games and Tavistock were only a whisker away from victory in the game at Crediton when they conceded a try in the final play of the game.

The semi-final was evenly contested and both sides were close to scoring as they played an open expansive game with the ball distributed through the backs.

However, both defences were in fine form and it was not until the 20th minute that the first score arrived. Replacement prop Nathan Karea used his strength to force his way over the line from 10 metres with two or three Tavistock defenders on his back.

That lead looked somewhat fragile at times as the visitors continued to throw the ball about but just could not find a way through.

As the interval approached, Crediton bagged their second try when from a scrum, the ball was worked to centre Josh Woodland who broke the defensive line before offloading to co-centre Lewis Warren who went over, fly-half Owen Cooper landed the conversion for a 12-0 lead at the break.

At this stage, Tavistock were still in the game but their task became more difficult when from a lineout five metres out, a driving maul was set up and Karea bagged his second try of the game.

From being a difficult task for the visitors it soon became an impossible one when some clever handling and a miss pass found Warren again and he went over in the corner.

Winger Tyler Farley was next on the scoresheet as another flowing move found him with a bit of work to do but he stepped inside the oncoming defenders to score.

The final score went, appropriately, to skipper and No 8 Will Crang after the forwards had gone through several phases before releasing him to score from close range, Cooper converted to complete the scoring.

To be fair to Tavistock, the final score did not do them justice, they played a full part in a most entertaining game and never let their heads drop.

For Crediton, well they certainly took their chances and always looked dangerous with ball in hand and the support play was excellent throughout.

All 23 players in the squad worked hard although it was such a shame that prop Oscar Broad-Voysey broke his arm and will miss the chance of playing in the final.

The final will be at Exmouth RFC on Sunday, April 7 against Brixham, kick off 1pm so please come along and support them.

Paul Harris