DEVONPORT SERVICES 28-26 CREDITON RFC 2ND XV

AFTER a tough couple of games, it wasn’t going to get any easier for the 2nd XV with the visit of high flying Devonport Services to Blagdon.

We rose to the challenge though, and after an immense performance, managed to secure two valuable bonus points.

We flew out of the blocks and put real pressure on Devonport in the early stages. We were rewarded when Charlie Conner scrambled over for a try. Tom Ronchetti converted for a 7-0 lead.

Devonport showed why they are top of the league and came back into the game. Two converted tries in quick succession gave them a 7-14 lead.

Play went back and forth in the first half and when a Devonport charge was halted on halfway by Matt Pearce, he pinned his ears back and galloped down the wing to cross in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful.

With half-time approaching, the visitors scored again with a converted try making the score at the break 12-21.

We got within two points when Chris Hooper picked from a five-metre scrum and cross the whitewash, Ronchetti converting. This was cancelled out soon after with another Devonport score.

We were working hard to gain control and after some good play got within striking distance of the line. Hooper picked again from a scrum but this time offloaded to scrum-half George Baxter who darted over. With the conversion successful, we were back and the score was 26-28.

With a few minutes left on the clock, we were awarded a penalty, but unfortunately the effort from Ronchetti, in what were tough kicking conditions, went wide and the game ended 26-28.

While the victory just eluded us, it was a fantastic game and the lads did themselves proud.

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