CREDITON RFC 3RD XV 40-26 PENZANCE AND NEWLYN 2ND XV

IT was a Devon versus Cornwall double-header as Penzance 2nds travelled up with their 1sts for a friendly.

The Pirates were a tough outfit but the 3rd XV ensured it was cream first again with a fine victory.

The visitors arrived with a bare 15 and, despite a long journey, came at us with everything and had us on the back foot for most of the first half. They were well drilled but struggled in the scrum where we showed an immense improvement from last week.

Our front row of Deyan Tomic, Matt Moyes and Lewis Cook lead the charge, with the ever-trusty duo of Ashley Bradnock and Joe Wreford in the engine room making a hefty front five which sent the Pirates back at a rate of knots! This power was supported by a mobile back row of Harry Poole, Joe Crocker and Ben Rodd.

Joe Wreford was the first to score for us. Following some good pressure in the visitors ‘22 he crashed over for a try which Owen Cooper converted. Not to be outdone by his partner in crime, Ashley Bradnock then dashed through the tough defence to score.

At half-time we were 12-26 down so it was time for reinforcements! The evergreen Wayne Reed entered the fray, to stamp his dominance in the front row, along with fellow veteran Barny Butterfield, playing for the first time with his son Elliot, both of whom caused havoc for the visitors’ defence.

Club Chairman Chris Baker, playing against the Penzance chairman, was unlucky not to score in the first half but made up for it in the second, cutting a fine line to score. Harry Hustwayte was on fine form again, both in defence and attack and he managed to make his way over for a five-pointer.

Reed, with a trademark pick and go, barged his way over for a try and Elliot Butterfield capped a very good performance with a try. Owen Cooper was in good form from the tee again slotting five out of six conversions!

Huge credit goes to Penzance for bringing a tough squad up to Blagdon and we look forward to the trip down to Cornwall for the return fixture at the end of the season.