CREDITON RFC 3RD XV 19-17 TORRINGTON

THE mighty 3rds sealed a great win and got revenge for an earlier defeat in one of the most physical games so far this season.

We welcomed Torrington to Blagdon on Saturday, fully aware of the challenge ahead.

Our trip to their place back in November saw them dominate the set piece - especially at scrum time - and they ran out comfortable winners.

With that in mind, the lads were determined to put things right on home turf.

As expected, Torrington arrived with their usual physicality, strong in both attack and defence, but this time our set piece stood firm.

We took the upper hand at scrum time, even pinching a couple against the head, and our line-out was outstanding throughout. Elliot Butterfield was in inspired form, stealing multiple throws and disrupting their platform brilliantly.

Torrington struck first after a spell of heavy pressure inside our 22, eventually crashing over to take an early five‑point lead.

We responded well. Owen Cooper, in superb form from the boot all afternoon, drilled a penalty deep into their half, and from the resulting pressure the ball found its way to Callum Yeandle, who powered over to level the scores.

Torrington hit back quickly, using the slope to their advantage and pinning us in our own 22.

A sharp move from their backs created space out wide, and they finished clinically for a converted try.

That left us trailing 5–12 at the break, but the determination and physicality we’d shown in the first half made it clear we were very much in this contest.

With reinforcements in the tight five - Wayne Reed, Matt Moyes, Joe Wreford and Andrew Griffiths - we really turned the screw at scrum time.

The added power told immediately, driving Torrie backwards on their own ball and earning a turnover.

Camped on their five-metre line, we forced two more penalties at the scrum, the pressure mounting with every shove.

Eventually something had to give, and it was Joe Wreford who smashed his way through the stubborn defence to score under the posts. Cooper added the extras to bring the scores level.

Torrington came back at us fired up, launching another determined attack.

They worked their way up field, stretching us from left to right before finally crashing over in the corner for an unconverted try, nudging the score to 12–17.

Under the posts, Captain Ben Rodd gathered the lads and delivered a few words of pride and purpose. The response was immediate.

From the restart, Cooper sent a booming kick deep into the Torrington 22, and we kept them pinned down.

Sustained pressure brought another penalty, followed soon after by a yellow card for the visitors.

Cooper kicked to the corner, setting up a five-metre lineout and what followed was something special.

The front pod sold the dummy jump, Griffiths fired the throw to Paul Ratchford at the tail, and he dropped it neatly into the hands of Ashley Bradnock, who charged straight through the heart of the defence to score and level the game.

Then came the moment. A tricky conversion out wide, the pressure on, but Cooper stepped up with ice in his veins and struck it cleanly between the posts to put us ahead.

With time running out, Torrington launched another sweeping attack, catching us off guard and slicing through several gaps as they surged almost the length of the field.

With only two defenders left to beat, it looked certain they would score but the ever-improving Danny Parcell produced a superb, try-saving tackle just short of the line, winning us a crucial penalty.

Cooper once again sent us downfield, but after a successful catch-and-drive maul, Torrington managed to wrestle back possession and, to their credit, powered their way upfield once more.

Camped on our try line, they hammered away with hard, direct running.

Under the posts, Captain Ben Rodd demanded one last effort, urging the lads to dig deep and protect the lead they had fought so hard for.

Torrington mounted one final charge and crossed the line — but a wall of Crediton bodies wrapped around the ball and held it up brilliantly.

The referee blew for full time, and Blagdon erupted. Players, coaches, and supporters alike celebrated one of our most resilient, under-pressure performances of the season.

A special mention must go to Owen Cooper, the cleanest shirt on the pitch and the calmest head under pressure.

His superb clearance kicks, game management, and, of course, the match-winning points were absolutely vital.

This coming Saturday there is no game for the 1st XV. The 2nd XV host Withycombe while the 3rd XV head to Brixham. The Colts complete the group phase of the Devon Colts Competition away at Sidmouth.