CREDITON RFC WOMEN’S 50 - NEWTON ABBOT WOMEN’S 0

CREDITON RFC Women’s team was in fine form warming up for its league match against Newton Abbot Ladies at home on November 5, and this attitude did not change throughout the afternoon.

Crediton started the game soaking up a lot of pressure from several phases of play, until the ball was spilled by the away side, Crediton pounced on the opportunity and with some slick handling from forwards and backs alike, gave Alice Scully the chance to scamper away to score, leaving Rachel Mortimer to add the conversion.

With a good start to the half, Crediton wished to capitalise on this and when new signing Daisy French barged her way over to score her first try for Crediton and with Rachel picking up the extra two points, really started to look like the home side were in the driving seat.

Newton Abbot kicked off once again. Crediton continued to apply pressure in the “All Whites” half.

With some tactical kicking and lineout dominance, Crediton forced the away side back in their 22, where a melee of strong carries from the forwards saw Sarah Kingdon take the final assault to the line.

Crediton did not, however, have it all their own way in the first half, as Newton Abbot dug deep and put some very impressive set piece work leading to a penalty which they ran gaining some territory in the Crediton half for a period.  But the attack started to run out of steam as Crediton rode the storm, waiting patiently for a mistake to come, which it eventually did in the way of a turnover at the ruck.

Crediton realigned themselves quickly, to find the space they required to set up an attack of their own, to put Danni Phillips away to dot down near the uprights, leaving an easy conversion for Rachel Mortimer, which she gracefully obliged.

With the end of the half not coming quick enough for the away side, Crediton executed their last phase of play.

With nimble hands, saw the ball land with Katie Salter, to show her pace to score in the corner, leaving Rachel Mortimer with a very awkward long-range kick which she missed by a matter of inches.  Half-time score Crediton 33 - Newton Abbot 0.

At the start of the second half, Crediton hit a bit of a lull in performance for the first 10 minutes, as there were several minor mistakes and unnecessary penalties, but they managed to maintain a very good defensive line.

Once again Crediton stifled Newton Abbot’s attack, regained the ball and worked their way towards the away sides 22 yard line.  With a sudden burst of pace, Rachel Mortimer was able to find the try line but was unable to convert.

The game seemed to ebb and flow for a while, switching possession several times and neither side making much ground, until Emily Blatchford stepped up to place her name on the scoresheet, finishing off a move from the space Crediton had created out wide, through multiple phases of play.  Unfortunately, the conversion was unsuccessful.

Crediton now fully in control, as they had been for some time, once more stormed their way back into the Newton Abbot half primarily led by the forwards.

The away side were now starting to show signs of fatigue and with Crediton very much in full flow, it was not long before Holly Keast ploughed over from five yards out, leaving Katie Salter to add the final blow by way of a conversion.  Final score: Crediton Ladies 50 - Newton Abbot Ladies 0.

Forward of the match went to Sophie Robinson and back of the match went to Rachel Mortimer.

This side have had a very good start to the season and are showing promise for the challenges ahead.  Our next game will be on November 12, where we travel it Plymstock Albion Oaks for the second time this season.  Any support would be welcome.

Kev Ellis