CREDITON RFC 1ST XV 27-10 TEIGNMOUTH

AFTER a run of poor results and mixed performances, this was a crucial fixture to breathe life into our league campaign and we delivered a performance full of determination, composure, and belief to secure a vital victory.

From the very first whistle, our intent to win the game was obvious. We set the tempo early, playing with real purpose and energy.

After several weeks of working hard on our structures, our attacking shape finally began to click. The ball movement was sharp, our support lines were strong, and we consistently looked dangerous when we carried with width and ambition.

However, it took the best part of half an hour before the scoreboard got moving, courtesy of an Ollie Avery-Wright penalty. This was quickly followed by another to give us a 6-0 lead.

A couple of try scoring opportunities had gone begging but, on the stroke of half time, Dan Yendell crossed in the corner following a good lineout catch and drive. Avery-Wright slotted the touchline conversion and we had a 13-0 lead at the break.

Teignmouth had chances themselves in the first period. They were certainly not out of the game and it was the visitors who scored first in the second half with a penalty to make it 13-3.

We responded quickly when, from good lineout ball, scrum half Ed Brady set off on a trademark run and a perfectly timed pass put Josh Woodland in under the posts. Avery-Wright with the conversion made the score 20-3.

We weren’t quite able to put the game to bed at this stage and, on an afternoon where our defence was solid, a rare lapse allowed Teignmouth to break through and score a converted try. At 20-10 and with half an hour to go, it didn’t feel totally comfortable and both sides were desperate for the next score.

It took another 25 minutes for that score to come and when Luke Jones dived over from close range, victory was in sight. Avery-Wright added the extras and we saw out the final few minutes and record a 27-10 win which could not have come at a more important moment.

Had we slipped to defeat, we would have been pushed into a league position that would have brought lots of pressure and made the weeks ahead far more challenging. Instead, the result gives us both breathing room and a platform to build on.

It was our defence that truly defined the performance. Time and time again, we displayed outstanding resilience, none more so than during the spells spent defending on our own try line. The commitment and grit shown in those moments were exceptional. The defensive efforts lifted our confidence and belief in each other.

The game was played in good spirit between both sides, with plenty of physicality but mutual respect throughout.

As well as taking four valuable league points, we also retained the Geoff Warne Memorial Trophy, which is played for twice a season between the two clubs.

Fixtures this coming weekend: Friday night – Women’s XV v Ivybridge (H); Saturday – 1st XV v Penzance & Newlyn (H), 2nd XV v Dartmouth (A), 3rd XV v Penzance & Newlyn (H), Veterans XV v Barnstaple (A) and Colts XV v Bideford (A).

Rob Avery-Wright, Chris Hooper, John Gurzynski and Jay Harris