Crediton 49 - Teignmouth 20

THIS league fixture at our Blagdon ground with Teignmouth on November 18 doubled up as the second Geoff Warne Memorial game, and no doubt Geoff would have certainly approved of the quality of rugby produced by both sides in a very entertaining encounter.

We were also able to welcome the referee, Mike Lawrenson, who is on an exchange visit from America and who did an excellent job.

The scoreline does not necessarily accurately reflect the game itself and Teignmouth will have gone away feeling somewhat hard done by.

However, whilst most of the skills involved in the game can be taught or coached but ultimately, there is no substitute for pace, that is something that is a natural asset, you either have it or you don’t.

We had it in abundance on Saturday in the shape of winger Jack Arnott whose four tries brought his total for the season to 15 in seven games.

After an evenly contested opening 10 minutes, it was scrum half Ed Brady who created the first opening with a break down the right touchline and an offload to Arnott who cut inside to score at the posts, skipper Ollie Avery-Wright landed the simple conversion.

Teignmouth had some strong runners in their three quarters but, defensively, we were well in control and stifled any threats to our line.

However, they were dominating territory and possession for long periods and did look after the ball well in the contact area without really creating any problems.

On 20 minutes our score was doubled when another break and offload found Arnott in support and he made no mistake as his pace was too much for the visiting defenders, OAW converted for 14-0.

His hat-trick was completed nine minutes later with yet another show of speed and yet another try from deep, OAW again landed the additional points for 21-0. That looked to be it as a contest, all that was needed was the bonus point try and the job would be done.

Teignmouth kept up the pressure and we began conceding penalties and visiting fly half Jack Mayne reduced the arrears with a couple for 21-6.

That seemed to inspire the visitors and with the interval approaching, centre Jack Bond found space and crossed over, Mayne added the two points and at 21-13, Teignmouth were back in the game.

The next score would prove vital as it would either put us almost out of reach or bring Teigns back to within a point.

Fortunately, it went our way with some neat play through the middle with Ben Wonnacott at the centre of things as he rounded off the move with the bonus point try. OAW converted for 28-13.

Teignmouth bounced back and camped on our line and again we had to defend although at the same time a few penalties were given away until the referee had had enough and it was lock Tom Mortimer who was given a 10 minute breather with a yellow card.

From the penalty Teigns opted for a scrum and spread the ball wide for a try in the corner which Mayne converted for 28-20.

Playing a man short could have seen us up against it but when a visiting attack broke down in midfield, we countered and quickly got the ball out wide to Arnott who chipped over the oncoming defenders and then won the footrace to touch down, OAW landed the conversion from out wide and at 35-20 we looked far more comfortable.

Back to full compliment and with the bench emptied, an opportunity for new signing Jasper Cockburn-Miller to get a first taste of rugby at Level Six as a replacement for Joe Rees at prop, Josh Pearce on for Sam Westcott in an effort to disrupt the Teignmouth lineout and provide more options for our own and Matt Arnold also coming into the pack.

From here on, we did dominate proceedings and try number six came from a lineout catch and drive which allowed winger Josh Woodland to get in on the scoring act as the pack drove over the lane with his help. Arnott took over the kicking duties and landed the conversion.

The final try was another lineout variation, this time a quick ball off the top and the ball moved out for Wonnacott to crash over for his second of the day, Arnott converted for a final score of 49-20.

It was indeed an excellent game in which both sides contributed in equal measure and Geoff would certainly have approved.

Added to that we enjoyed the company of many of Geoff’s former playing and teaching colleagues and friends from around the county.

Some of the County’s playing legends were present including John Lockyer, Bob Staddon, John Baxter, Trevor Harvey and Mike Maynard to name but a few and of course a welcome visit from Bob Brewer and Bob Eames.

Great to see all these rugby people and many more besides on what was a great day.

Teignmouth Second XV 0 - v Crediton Quins 62

THERE was some concern that the rain we had endured and also was yet to come might cause a postponement but fortunately, it went ahead and the Teignmouth pitch held up pretty well.

A problem did arise when influential fly half Tom Ronchetti was unable to get to the game due to unforeseen work commitments.

Experienced fullback Matty Dayment switched to fly half and Freddie Borthen came off the bench to start at fullback.

The reshuffle was seamless and perhaps missing Ronchetti concentrated minds.

In the past few games we have been slow starters and strong finishers but on this occasion things panned out somewhat differently as we were out of the blocks quickly and probably the longest gap between tries was the 10 minutes it took to register the first one.

With forwards and backs linking well we unleashed a barrage of attacking play that produced 10 tries in total. 

We did not have things all our own way as at times the home side had us pinned within five metres of our line and we did cough up a few penalties and were fortunate not to have conceded a penalty try, we could not have grumbled had they been awarded one.

Other than that, the defence held firm and it is always good to maintain a clean sheet in the points against column.

Throughout the game, the scrum was solid and we certainly had the edge taking a few strikes against the head, not often we see that with the current tolerance for feeding into the scrum!

We put almost constant pressure on the Teignmouth lineout although aside from all the plusses, there are still issues that need to be resolved in particular discipline at the breakdown and a better awareness of where the offside line is.

Unnecessary penalties give the opposition easy exits and can put us back 40 metres and if we do that in our next game, against Topsham on December 2, then they will no doubt make better use of our errors than Teignmouth did.

For the record, Josh Atkinson scored three tries, that makes six in the last three games for him, not bad for a Second Row!

Freddie Blackburn and Bobby Jenkin each had two and there was one apiece for James Dodge, Bobby Saunders and inevitably, Chris Hooper. Matty Dayment landed six conversions.

The victories for both Firsts and Quins has now seen them move to the top of their respective leagues but with tough games looming, both will be tested to the full in the run up to Christmas.

This Saturday is a designated blank weekend and so December 2 sees the First XV at Topsham whilst the Quins are at home against Topsham.  It should be an interesting day.

The Thirds are at home v Exeter Engineers in a Devon Merit Table fixture.

Paul Harris