CREDITON RFC 1ST XV 33-17 IVYBRIDGE

BY many accounts in the bar, this was as good a game and as good a performance as we have seen at Blagdon this season.

It certainly provided great entertainment for those who decided against watching a lacklustre England fall to Ireland!

Once again talk before the game seemed to focus on those who were unavailable to play but, as skipper Ben Wonnacott articulated in his pre match talk to sponsors and vice presidents, the players were confident of getting the result.

For 35 minutes there was no score as both defences soaked up everything that was thrown at them.

The tackles were ferocious and the intensity was high. It was the visitors who took the lead just before the break, after capitalising on a rare defensive lapse while we were down to 14 men with hooker Harry Gulley in the bin.

We started the second period with real intent and levelled the scores quickly. Moving the ball well and stringing together some phases, the ball was worked wide to winger Tom Hunt.

While in the act of scoring, he was illegally bundled into touch and the referee awarded a penalty try and reached for a yellow card, reducing Ivybridge to 14.

Looking the stronger side, we continued to play an expansive game with both forwards and backs combing well.

Winning a lineout five metres out, the forwards sensed an opportunity although after a couple of pick and go attempts fell short, the ball was set loose and Josh Woodland, playing at full back, found a gap in midfield and went over for a try. Josh Davey slotted the conversion to make it 14-7.

Immediately from the restart we gave away a penalty and Ivybridge opted to go for the posts. The attempt was successful and it was 14-10.

If there was any danger of Ivybridge getting a hold in the game, we quickly stamped that out.

Woodland broke up the left touchline from halfway and went over in the corner for his second of the afternoon.

Next up, young winger Charlie Cookson broke up the middle, beat a couple of defenders and scored under the posts. Davey converted for a 26-10 lead.

We weren’t done there and after a strong scrum, which was dominant all afternoon, Jake Clarke broke and offloaded superbly to Cookson who was on hand to dive over for his second. From the touchline, Davey added the extras.

With time running out, the visitors went over for a consolation score and a couple of late penalties gave them a chance to attack.

However, we stood firm and secured an impressive win, 33-17.

After defeat at Okehampton, this was a fantastic response from all involved, and sets things up nicely for a mouthwatering home derby against second-placed Tiverton next week.

Coming up on Saturday, February 28 (ex-players day): 1st XV v Tiverton (H), 2nd XV v South Molton (H), 3rd XV v Withycombe (A), Colts XV v Ivybridge (H).