THE girls teams from Crediton Rugby Club headed west on Sunday, October 13 and again returned unvanquished from their travels.

The squads from the Under 18s, Under 15s and Under 13s wound their way west to converge in Plymouth to play against teams from Devonport, Tavistock and a mix of Cornish teams who had come together from across the border.

And yet again the Black and Amber sides, playing shorter but more numerous games, thwarted all attempts to interrupt their current run of dominant results.

UNDER 13s - Heavy wins across the board

With a squad of 21 players, the Under 13s girls split into two teams and played 10-a-side against Devonport and a combination of Liskeard, Launceston and Bude.

With both teams playing at the same time it was really difficult to keep track of scores and scorers whilst at the same time coaching the teams; especially as the Crediton girls were so commanding in both fixtures, running out winners by good margins in all the games that they played.

All the girls should be commended on their great effort again and especially the way they reacted when certain things were not going their way. Try scorers: Katie, Lucy, Charley, Poppy, Harrison, Livvy, Anna, Charlotte, Martha, Holly S, Imy and Maisie.

Players of the day, voted for by the players, were Captains Livvy and Katie.

UNDER 15s - A change of style proves to good for opponents

In perfect conditions for running rugby, the Under 15s girls showed that they are not just a power side with some superb rugby. In patches it was arguably the best rugby they have played this season.

In the first game against a Cullompton side, very much improved from a few weeks ago, the game was delicious with both sides looking to move the ball around, bring supporting runners into the game and recycling the ball before going to ground whenever possible.

Despite some festival-style rugby from both teams the 20-0 victory was earned as much by stout defence as it was the brilliant run and support rugby the girls delivered.

The second game, against an amalgamation of five teams, the same striking support and move game proved as effective but the opposition defended their lines magnificently, on two or three occasions holding up or stopping certain tries just inches from their line.

The Kirton girls twice managed to puncture the valiant defensive work for tries and conversions and almost went the whole day without conceding a point but for a brilliant individual try from one of the Launceston contingent to end a very very tight game 14-7 winners.

The coaches were very very proud of the girls, saying: “ It’s wonderful to see the hard work that they put into training pay off so well in a game environment. Make no mistake that both opposition sides today took some effort to beat, and as well as the great rugby going forward, the defence of our own try-line and refusal to concede may not have been so eye-catching but was equally important in fantastic all around display.”

UNDER 18s - Unbeaten and unbowed

The older group of Crediton Girls squads produced a commanding performance to see off a Cornish Barbarians side, consisting of Bude, Launceston and Liskeard by 26-5.

Four tries and three conversions was the least that they deserved in overcoming the team from across the Tamar, with the result never really being in doubt.

It can be argued that the result of the day, across all squads, was the 7-7 draw against the girls from Devonport Services.

Crediton were defeated heavily here last year, but having gone behind, the girls took it upon themselves not to repeat that experience. They scored a try of their own to tie the game up and consistently pressed the opposition into frantic defence from the Crediton side’s successful rucks and mauls.

In the end they were desperately unlucky not to come out of the game as victors with a few small handling errors that interrupted their attacks and allowed the Plymouth-based team to re-group.

As this side progresses through the season their attitude, communication and most importantly, self organisation, are improving week-on-week and with the small technical improvements that they make in training they continue to grow in confidence, as can be seen in their results.

All of the coaches would like to thank all of the parents that volunteered to collect subs, provide first aid cover, supply oranges, take pictures and cheer their teams on from the sidelines. It is not just the numbers and attitude of Crediton’s Girls teams that impress other clubs, it’s the supporters that travel with them as well.