CREDITON COLTS XV 29-12 SIDMOUTH

THE Colts maintained their unbeaten record in the Devon Colts Cup competition, making it four wins from four, with a hard-earned win at home to Sidmouth.

The opening quarter of the game belonged to the visitors as they came out of the blocks quickly and were able to dominate territory and possession. Their cause was helped by us frequently coughing up the ball and giving away a high number of penalties. However, our defence was solid, and we were able to soak up the initial onslaught without conceding.

In fact, it was us who got the scoreboard moving first. Breaking from a scrum on our own 22, the backs worked the ball to winger Charlie Cookson who flew up the touchline in front of the grandstand. He was stopped on the Sidmouth 10-metre line but, a couple of phases later, the ball was back in his hands on their 22 and he used his pace and power to finish for a 5-0 lead which was somewhat against the run of play.

The balance of play was turning but it was Sidmouth who scored next, to make it 5-5, once again benefiting from easy territory through our ill discipline.

Our response was quick, with Cookson going over for his second before Archie Bridgman powered over on the stroke of half time. Jake Kibbey converted the latter, and we were 17-5 up at the break.

The half time talk from the coaches did the trick and in the second half our discipline improved considerably. While lineouts were 50/50, we had the better of the scrums and both sides were looking to play expansive rugby whenever they had the opportunity.

Sidmouth got the next score when, from a scrum on halfway, their flyhalf spotted a gap in behind and chipped over cleverly, regathering to score, making it 17-12.

Again we came back quickly and a successful lineout set up a couple of phases of pick and goes with Jake Kibbey burrowing over. With 10 minutes to go it was 22-12.

We had the final word when Bailey Adams darted over after some good interlinking play from the forwards and backs. Ollie Harris added the conversion making the final score 29-12.

This was another very good performance from the Colts in a game where, not for the first time, they didn’t make life easy for themselves. Cutting out some basic errors and reducing the penalty count could see the team shift to another level!

This coming Saturday, November 8 the 1st XV make the short trip to Tiverton in the league, the 2nd XV head to South Molton 1sts, the 3rd XV host South Molton 2nds and the Colts are away at Exeter Athletic. Your support would be greatly appreciated!

Chris Hooper, John Gurzynski and Jay Harris