BRIXHAM RFC 7-40 CREDITON RFC 3RD XV

THE 3rd XV travelled down to Brixham for another true display of 3rd team rugby. With a seriously sloping pitch, we had the advantage of playing downhill in the first half and were hoping to make the most of it.

However, Brixham's strong side flew out of the blocks and immediately put us under pressure. They did everything they could to keep us playing from deep inside our own 22, putting in some big tackles, winning turnovers at the breakdown and making it clear we were in for a tough afternoon. Despite that, we dug in, fronted up physically and worked hard to stay in the contest against a well organised home side.

With availability once again on the light side, a few lads found themselves wearing unfamiliar numbers on their backs. An early injury to James Dunn forced a reshuffle, with Elliot Butterfield stepping in at full-back for most of the afternoon and putting in a solid performance.

It's safe to say our wingers didn't see too much of the ball, with flanker and captain Ben Rodd joining second row Ashley Bradnock in an improvised centre partnership!

Our scoring started when captain Ben Rodd produced a superb jackal on the Brixham 10-metre line. After a number of strong phases, the ball found its way back into Rodd's hands and he barged through the defence to touch down beneath the posts. Owen Cooper added the extras.

With 20 minutes gone, we were awarded a penalty on halfway. Some strong carries from Callum Anthony and Josh Burnison punched holes in the home defence before the ball found Rodd once again. Spotting a gap, he powered through and ran in the final 20 metres to score under the posts for his second try of the afternoon. Cooper converted.

Brixham responded with a well-executed cross-field kick, which their winger gathered brilliantly before darting through our defence to score under the posts and keep the hosts in touch.

Next on the scoresheet was number eight Tom Ayre. Having spent most of the half battering the Brixham defence with a combination of strength and youthful enthusiasm, he eventually smashed his way over the line for a deserved try. The conversion drifted wide, leaving us 19-7 ahead at the break.

At half-time, we knew there was still plenty of work to do. The daunting slope was now against us and Brixham introduced some fresh legs, but the first ten minutes of the second half remained evenly contested. Captain Rodd demanded more from his side and the response was outstanding.

Harry Poole and Callum Anthony dominated the line-out, while the front five of Lewis Cook, veterans Kevin Ellis and Richard Gray in the front row, with Josh Burnison and Callum Anthony behind them, made scrum time their own. Time and again they forced Brixham backwards and suddenly things were becoming very uncomfortable for the home side.

Following a well-worked line-out on the 22, Paddy Brady moved the ball quickly to Rodd, who crashed over beneath the posts to complete his hat-trick. Shortly afterwards, Ashley Bradnock burst down the left wing with Rodd in support. Although the defence managed to halt their progress, Brady reacted quickest and whipped the ball out to Ayre, who powered over for his second try of the afternoon. Cooper added the conversion.

The pressure continued as the mighty 3s pinned Brixham back at the top of the hill in their own 22. After a crunching tackle forced a loose ball, it was Rodd once again who reacted first, gathering possession and slicing through the defence to score his fourth and final try of the match.

With around ten minutes remaining, the referee decided enough was enough and brought proceedings to an early close.

This was a true display of what Crediton 3rd XV has become. Faced with a strong and youthful Brixham side, featuring former Crediton veteran Andy Hawkes, we refused to play their game. Instead, we made the game our own, dominated the set piece in the second half and took control across the field. Not bad for what many would describe as a scratch side!

We thank Brixham for their hospitality, wish them well for the rest of the season and look forward to welcoming them to Blagdon in the New Year.

A special mention must go to the legend that is Victor Oldland, who played his final game for the club before heading off to New Zealand for the next chapter of his adventure.

Victor has been a huge part of the 3rd XV for the last six years and has poured his heart and soul into every game he has played. No longer the shy young lad who first arrived at the club, he has grown in confidence season after season, something that is obvious every time he pulls on the Black and Amber shirt. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knows him, particularly his teammates in the 3s, and we wish him all the very best for the future.

Scorers: Tries – Ben Rodd (4), Tom Ayre (2); Conversions – Owen Cooper (5).

John Gurzynski

Next Saturday: 1st XV v North Petherton (A), 2nd XV v Honiton 1st XV (A), 3rd XV v Honiton 2nd XV (H), Colts XV v Tiverton (H).

Next Sunday: Women’s XV v Paignton (A).