OPM 1ST XV 37-0 CREDITON RFC 2ND XV

WE travelled to OPMs this week and, despite the weather conditions, put in a spirited performance.

The first half started very positively for us. We controlled possession well for long periods and played some good rugby, keeping OPMs under pressure. A couple of opportunities were held up over the line and, on another day, those scores could easily have gone our way. Unfortunately, we couldn't quite get over the whitewash and went into the break trailing just 5-0.

The second half proved much tougher. OPMs used the conditions to their advantage and their fly-half controlled the game well, using the strong wind to keep us pinned back in our own half. We continued to work hard and looked to launch attacks whenever we could, but a number of handling errors at key moments prevented us from building any real momentum.

Credit to OPMs, who made the most of the conditions and capitalised on their territory to pull away on the scoreboard. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from the game. Our effort and commitment never dropped, and considering the challenging weather, it was a competitive contest and certainly not a bad game of rugby.

Chris Hooper