CREDITON 3RD XV 31-10 EXETER SARACENS 2ND XV

CREDITON RFC’s 3rd XV welcomed a strong club team from Exeter Saracens to Blagdon for a Merit Table fixture and, from the off, we knew it was going to be very physical with both teams smashing into each other!

Unfortunately, on the 10-minute mark a Sarries player was badly injured and play was stopped, whilst we waited for the ambulance. Both teams and supporters made the short walk down to the river pitch and after a half-hour stoppage we started again down at the River Pitch.

Sarries opened the scoring with a great clearance kick and chase to gather in the corner and score. We bounced back and Charlie Conner went on a trademark run, crashing through the defence to score. Both tries were unconverted, and we went into the break 5-5.

Both sides were able to bring on fresh legs at half time and Sarries came out the strongest, scoring a great try out wide. Unfortunately for them, that was it as the mighty 3rds started to take control of the game.

Firstly, Ben Wallis was in the perfect position to receive a scoring pass, after the ball went through at least eight pairs of hands, to dot down in the corner.

Skipper Ben Rodd then darted in from 10 metres, knocking down several defenders in the process.

Next up, Euan Philip found himself a gap to run through and score, to cap a great all-round performance, and to finish things off Chris Hooper showed off with a fantastic dummy to fool the defence and touch down.

The ever-consistent Owen Cooper was great at controlling the game from fly half, with some fantastic clearance kicks and he defeated the harsh wind to slot three out of five conversions. As always, Ben Rodd led from the front, driving his men with purpose to a great victory.

We thank Sarries for the game and we wish them all the best for the season. We also wish their injured player the best and hope he has a speedy recovery.

Next Saturday the 1st XV have a week off, the 2nd XV are away at Ivybridge in the quarter final of the Devon RFU Shield, the 3rd XV head to Barnstaple in the Merit Table, the Colts XV entertain Sidmouth in the Colts Cup and the Veterans open up their campaign with a trip to South Molton.

Rob Avery-Wright, John Gurzynski and Jay Harris