CULLOMPTON SECONDS 17 - CREDITON ‘QUINS 8

THE ‘Quins made the short trip to Cullompton for a Devon Merit Table One fixture last Saturday and once again allowed what should have been a victory slip from their grasp.

The early signs were certainly not good as the ‘Quins conceded a soft try before a minute had passed. Failure to gather the ball from the kick off allowed a Cullompton player to hack the ball deep into the Crediton “22”.

Under pressure from the chasing Cullompton players, the Crediton defender tried to fly-hack the ball into touch but only succeeded in kicking it straight into a Cullompton players hands.

He took full advantage of the situation to touch down for a converted try before any ‘Quins player had touched the ball with his hand.

Crediton took a while to recover from this early setback but gradually regained their composure and put pressure on the home defence.

With 10 minutes gone, the pressure told as the home side conceded a penalty in their own and full-back Phil Anning stepped up to convert the penalty.

Crediton had now settled into the game and were playing some good rugby but the Cullompton side were not only defending strongly, they were also attacking with pace and power when the chance arose.

After 25 minutes Cullompton went further into the lead and once again it was as a result of a Crediton mistake. Having won a scrum in their own 22 metre area Crediton attempted to clear their line but the kick was charged down for a Cullompton player to follow up and touch down for an unconverted try.

The ‘Quins were now having to chase the game and although having a good share of territory and possession they were finding it difficult to break down a very good Cullompton defence and the first half closed out 12-3 to Cullompton.

Both sides made changes at half-time but it was Cullompton who added to the scoreboard first and again it came from a Crediton error when they failed to secure ball on the ground and allowed the home side to fly-hack the ball deep into the Crediton half.

Chasing his own kick, the Cullompton player won the foot race to get the touchdown for an unconverted try to put his side further into the lead and in control of the game.

After 58 minutes Crediton finally got over the Cullompton line. Winning a scrum in the Cullompton half the Crediton No 8 broke down the blindside and the ball passed through the hands of a couple of Crediton players before winger Brad Baker went over to touch down for an unconverted try.

Crediton were now throwing everything at Cullompton but they could still not break the Cullompton defensive line. Although they were tiring they still held firm to protect their score and the game ended 17-8 to Cullompton.

Simple errors gifted Cullompton three easy tries and gave the Crediton team a hurdle too big to climb especially against a Cullompton team that defended vigorously.

Although every player gave their all and there were some very good periods of play, it was still a game that was lost mainly through our own lapses rather than the home side creating the chances.

TOPSHAM SECONDS 7 - CREDITON THIRDS 15

The Third Fifteen took advantage of Torquay losing at Exmouth and extended their lead at the top of Devon Merit Table Two table with a solid performance against a much-improved Topsham side.

Their success over the past couple of seasons has taught the Third Fifteen players how to close out a game. They were never in total command or comfortably ahead but they will learn more from narrow victories than they will from easy games.

Prop Macauley Jones went over for a try as did lock Gav Down, fly-half Gareth Kinch landed a conversion and a penalty.

They have a couple of testing games against Exmouth Thirds, away on February 13 with the return game a fortnight later.

The Cockles are a few games behind but, with only two defeats, they look the most likely candidates to catch us.

The weather put paid to any home games on Saturday. The Chiefs were due to play Cullompton but the pitches were certainly unplayable. That game is likely to be rescheduled for March 12.

Tomorrow, February 6 the First Fifteen entertain Penryn, the game having been postponed on January 2.

A win will at least give us a bit more breathing space as we try and pull away from the relegation scrap that could involve anything up to six or seven clubs.

PH