CREDITON 20 - PAIGNTON 13
WHILE we were hoping to continue our fine season to-date on February 16, Paignton arrived looking to make it three wins on the trot in their attempt to climb away from the bottom of the table.
Paignton proved a difficult nut to crack and certainly on the first-half performance, we were fortunate to reach the interval with a lead, albeit a slender one.
However, as we have proved on numerous occasions this season, we seem capable of lasting the full 80 minutes and managed to secure victory in the final quarter.
We knew that Paignton would throw everything at us as they attempt to get clear of the relegation spots.
Our own experiences last season when we had to scrap for every point to avoid the drop would be an indication as to how the visitors would approach the game.
This game followed a pretty familiar pattern. We were not at our best and for long periods were on the defensive.
We created chances but never really took control of the game. Despite this, and to the credit of the team, we managed what we have done on many occasions this season and grabbed a four-point win.
This group of players has such a strong belief in themselves which is hard to break as they continue to deliver results!
The Cherries started brightly and certainly did not look like a team in danger of going down and to be fair, it was against the run of play that we took the lead in the seventh minute.
We soaked up some pressure and then managed to turn over possession on half-way. Right-wing Devon Hosegood somehow ended up with the ball and took on the Paignton defence down the right flank and managing to evade a couple of tackles before touching down in the corner.
Paignton maintained the pressure and were rewarded with a penalty which full-back Mike Sandercock slotted over.
We were certainly losing the territorial game and still struggling to gain possession although we did increase the lead with an Ollie Avery-Wright long range penalty which was then cancelled out with a second from Sandercock.
Other than a couple of rucks and driving mauls close to our line in which our defence was excellent, the Cherries were unable to make much headway.
The second half was a different story and we got ourselves back into the game and it was not long before we extended the lead with a well-worked try.
Numerous phases on the Paignton line were defended superbly by the visitors and they managed to clear the danger temporarily. The ball was run back at them and we camped on their line for was several minutes without breaking through until the ball was sent wide and full-back Ollie Down came in the line at pace to score out wide.
Within minutes, the lead was increased with an individual try from No 8 Ben Wonnacott whose perfectly timed interception and 35-metre dash to the line looked to have put the game out of reach of the visitors. Avery-Wright landed the conversion for a 14-point lead.
We continued to apply pressure as we went in search of the bonus point but it was Paignton who had the last word when No 8 Scott Vyle was on-hand to race clear from a driving maul to score at the posts, Sandercock converting.
The final minutes saw the visitors chasing the try to earn a draw but we managed to hold out until the final whistle.
As recent results have proved, nothing can be taken for granted in this league and this week was no exception.
When news of other results filtered through on Saturday night there were more than a few raised eyebrows and, while those results helped us, they certainly didn’t do Paignton any favours.
Eight wins on the bounce now and with 16 victories from 19 games, the most wins in the league, there is no doubt that we have put ourselves in a strong position.
Just as last season the closeness of the relegation battle created excitement, so now is the battle for promotion is having the same effect.
An interesting seven games remain and any two from the top four are in with a great chance.
It was great to see the Sandford Cricket Club boys and girls and with wins for the Seconds, Thirds and Colts as well, the club was buzzing. Top work boys, keep it up!
PAIGNTON SECONDS 3 - CREDITON SECONDS 40
The ‘Quins bounced back from their recent defeats with an excellent all-round and disciplined performance at Paignton.
A young side completely destroyed the home pack who had a considerable weight advantage. That was the platform for some excellent back play as we exploited the limited space on a fairly narrow pitch which restricted our scoring opportunities.
Scrum-half James Webber crossed for two tries as did winger Owen Twigg.
Tom O’Donnell, on the other wing, dotted down once and the forwards earned a penalty try. Tom Ronchetti landed four conversions.
CREDITON THIRDS 21 - HONITON 19
The Thirds also found some players and some form to get the better of Honiton Seconds string. It has been a tough few weeks for the Thirds with player shortages but things are looking brighter.
The weekend proved that with more players available we can get three good sides out and victory over Honiton Seconds is an impressive result.
Jon Gurzynski, Hayden Hill and Sandford Orchard scored the tries with Hill converting all three.
CREDITON COLTS 24 - WITHYCOMBE COLTS 9
The Colts made hard work of overcoming bottom placed Withycombe who put up a spirited resistance which defied their lowly position in the competition.
Tobias Whittaker, Josh Woodland, Sam Wilson and Harry Poole were the try scorers with Owen Cooper converting two.
Maximum points from seven games for the Colts has put them in a very strong position for a home semi-final.
Devon Under 14’s Cup Semi-Final
CREDITON 22 - IVYBRIDGE 17
Both sides showed huge commitment and skill as they entertained a large crowd. Crediton had the edge at scrum-time but both sets of backs were evenly matched although we did look more dangerous with the ball in-hand. Some powerful running.
Ivybridge opened the scoring with a penalty but we hit back almost immediately with a well-worked try for Tom Hunt.
Unfortunately, our lead did not last long as the visitors grabbed a try of their own which was converted for a 10-5 lead at the interval.
We began the second half well and it was not long before Marshall Street scored the try to level the scores. Back came Ivybridge and another converted try took them to 17-10 and they were on the verge of celebrating.
However, they did not reckon with the power and pace of centre Kofi Firth who broke tackles to score at the posts to give skipper Louis Gulley a simple conversion to level the scores again.
With time running out we were certainly on course for the semi-final on try countback, three against their two.
However, it was not going to come down to that as, in their effort to get downfield, a wayward free kick fell beautifully for winger Kai Shanks and he gratefully accepted the opportunity to outpace the stretched Ivybridge defence to score out wide.
The conversion was missed but it mattered not as we did manage to hold out for the last few minutes although not without a couple of scares as we conceded a couple of penalties inside our ‘22’ after last play had been called.
Fortunately, they came to nothing much to the delight of all concerned. This was an excellent victory it was a game between two very good sides, Ivybridge do not lose very often but on this occasion they came off second best in a closely fought encounter.
Crediton Under 14s will meet either Topsham or Torquay in the final at Topsham on April 7.
Paul Harris