WADEBRIDGE 20 - CREDITON 43

THINGS looked ominous when we fell behind to a converted try after four minutes in this game played on Saturday, September 1.

A charged down clearance was pounced on by the home sides new recruit and No 8 Darren Livett for a debut score, converted by fly-half Danny Thomas. We hit back immediately as second row Tom Mortimer chased and superbly regathered the kick off.

Wadebridge infringed and a kick to the corner gave us a great attacking platform. The resulting catch and drive lead to a try for Wayne Reed.

Wadebridge then extended their lead with a Thomas penalty to put them ahead 10-5 but for them that was as good as it got as the remainder of the half was totally dominated by Crediton.

Despite what appeared to be a size advantage, the Wadebridge pack were struggling against the Kirton eight. Indeed for much of the time they seemed only to have a reverse gear.

This enabled No 8 Ben Wonnacott, who put in a big shift throughout, to pick from the base twice in quick succession and drive powerfully over to score.

Two successful Oli Down conversions saw us build a nine-point lead although just before half-time, a second Thomas penalty took the score to 13-19 at the break.

If we thought scoring three tries in the first half was good, we were really pleased to get four in the second period!

Andrew Smerdon was the first to cross the whitewash after a quick tap penalty from Ben Wonnacott and good hands from Ed Brady gave him the opportunity to beat the last defender and touch down.

Replacement back row forward Jake Clarke was next, driving over from close range after a strong break by Mark Lee. Neither try was converted but our tails were up as the score reached 13-31 and a bonus point safely tucked away

The sixth try of the afternoon was scored by new arrival Barny Carter. With several of his backline team-mates screaming for the ball from a breakdown, Gareth Mason totally ignored them and put up a box kick into the opposition 22 much to their displeasure!

His chase though was excellent and he put in a crunching tackle on the kick receiver who spilled the ball. Barny was on-hand to gather and dive over. Down converted to make it 13-38.

Wadebridge hadn’t given up and to be fair, put us under some considerable pressure for the remainder of the game.

Our defensive effort was immense but after several phases of play, the home side did get their reward when player coach Mike Rawlings drove over for Thomas to convert.

We weren’t going to let them have the final word though. Second row Gavin Down, sporting a new experimental haircut (either that or his barber doesn’t like him very much!), found himself with ball in hand and with wide open space in front of him.

It looked like he would race to the try line but alas his legs gave up. Fortunately, Clarke was in support to drive over for his second score of the afternoon.

The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but signalled the end of the game and an emphatic bonus point victory.

This was an excellent start to the season and one to enjoy. The team played with great spirit and it was clear everyone had total confidence in each other.

The scrum was dominant and, despite a couple of mishaps in the second half the lineout was effective. The backline looked dangerous and in defence we were outstanding.

We know this league (Tribute Western Counties West) will be a tough one but if the players continue to put in the work they have done during pre-season then surely there will be more ups than downs.

Wadebridge have finished in the top five in this league for the past two seasons and undoubtedly have high hopes of maintaining that standard this season.

The victory was our biggest away from home for three years and augurs well for the future although I am sure there will be no let up at training as we try and ensure that we are not battling relegation next April.

CREDITON SECONDS 8 - LAUNCESTON SECONDS 19

The Second Fifteen battled hard against a very strong Launceston Seconds team. As with the First Fifteen the defence was excellent and restricted the visitors to very few chances. Indeed we held the lead with a Tom Ronchetti penalty after 30 minutes although Launceston responded with a couple of penalties either side of the interval.

On the hour mark, the Launceston right winger did manage to outpace our defence for an unconverted try wide out.

Another penalty put them 14-3 ahead but an excellent try from skipper Dan Cooper after good handling between Sam Rowe and Ben Lumley.

At 14-8, we were still in the game and put pressure on the Launceston line but their defence was equal to the task and they eventually cleared their lines.

In the final minute, a scrum on our five-metre line led to a pushover try for the visitors which went unconverted. That was the final play of the game and the score flattered Launceston.

We did play very well although certainly in the first half we could have looked after the ball better at the breakdown, an area where the visitors did have the edge.

CREDITON THIRDS 21 - BUCKFASTLEIGH 30

The Third Fifteen also put up a great display against a side that plays in Devon One. Tries from Will Goodman, Scott Baker and John Gurzynski plus three conversion from Hayden Hill made up our 21 points.

CREDITON COLTS 17 - OKEHAMPTON COLTS 16

The Colts had a magnificent victory over local rivals Okehampton and indeed had to withstand considerable pressure in the second half as the visitors piled on the pressure.

The Crediton side held on so see the game out with single point victory.

Fixtures tomorrow, Saturday, September 8: First Fifteen v Wellington (home); Second Fifteen v Okehampton (away); Third Fifteen v Okehampton (away) and Colts v Bideford (home).

Paul Harris