WINSCOMBE 10 - CREDITON 36

WINSCOMBE were very much an unknown quantity and our only form guide was that we had both beaten Chard at home by similar margins. As a consequence we anticipated a tough encounter on Saturday, September 29.

Our hosts for the day had won both their home games in the league this season and our information was that they had a strong pack of forwards, they had apparently shoved Sidmouth around in their first game of the season but still lost.

We began the game playing up the slope and after a couple of minutes of early pressure from the home side, they came up against an uncompromising defence and were unable to make any headway.

Our first attack looked promising and brought a penalty which drifted wide of its mark. Within minutes though, we had a second opportunity which full-back Ollie Down popped over for a 3-0 lead after 10 minutes.

From then on it was something of a battle of attrition although we looked far more dangerous with the ball in-hand.

The anticipated power of the Winscombe pack never materialised and we had little difficulty at scrum time. We had the best of things territorially and almost broke through on 20 minutes when a neat pop pass was adjudged forward, somewhat harshly and play was pulled back.

Things sprung to life on 35 minutes when Ollie Down joined the attack from deep and his clever chip through caught the oncoming defence by surprise. He won the chase to touch down and follow up with the conversion.

Two minutes later, a second try came when Winscombe fumbled on our “22” and centre Mark Lee was quick to react and he hacked the ball upfield ultimately winning the kick and chase to score, Down converted for a 17-0 lead.

There was just time before the interval for the home side to get on the scoreboard with a penalty.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half was all Crediton with the slope in our favour but a few wrong options combined with some solid home defending caused some frustration and the harder we tried the more frustrating things became.

Several scoring opportunities were spurned as in our eagerness we gave away a few penalties when in good positions.

The wake up call came on the hour mark when a rare home foray into our half brought them a try out of the blue as their centre broke some tackles and went over at the posts, he landed the conversion to give the hosts some hope as they were now only seven points in arrears.

It did not take long for their hope to turn to despair when flanker Josh Pearce was first to the restart and almost broke through but was tackled and then penalised.

The kick found touch but Pearce stole the lineout and the backs started a flowing move with Down once again in the line and his pace proved too much for Winscombe and he scored at the posts, again landing the conversion.

Another try soon followed and this time the home pack lost their own scrum, the ball went left and quick hands from Jason Luff to winger Devon Hosegood gave the latter room to use his pace and run in from 30 metres.

By now the home side were demoralised and it was no real surprise when another flowing attack ended with Pearce going over in the corner, Down converted.

In fairness, the players themselves felt that they left another 20 points out there but that would be a bit harsh. We played really well in patches and looked impressive in attack and defence.

Winscombe had difficulty in dealing with our pace and were surprised at the quality and pace of our defending which allowed them very little room to set up any sustained attacks.

So that made it five from five and even more impressive, maximum points from three away games and we have scored 17 tries and 111 points away from home in three games, a remarkable start to the season.

The last time we achieved five wins from our first five games was in 2000-01 when we won Western Counties West and were promoted to South West Two and in that year we actually won our first eight games. It would be nice if we could equal that record.

Obviously the league cannot be won after five games but winning those five games builds confidence. There are aspects that can be improved upon and there will certainly be no room for complacency but for the moment, we sit at the top of the league table and it is a lovely view from up there.

The team was well-supported at Winscombe and it was a delight to see two former players who live in Somerset come along to support. Mike Bolt, a second row, and who played between 1978 and 1984 and John Boddy who played from 1963-77, were both suitably impressed with our performance.

CREDITON ‘QUINS 17 - NEWTON ABBOT SECONDS 29

Another tough game for the ‘Quins but they gave a really good account of themselves against the early season Merit Table pacesetters.

The tries were scored by Rob Leach, Josh Woodland and Chris Hooper with Hayden Hill landing one conversion.

Fixtures for tomorrow, Saturday, October 6: First Fifteen away at Falmouth; Second Fifteen at home v Brixham; Third Fifteen TBA; Colts away at South Molton.

Paul Harris