IT was a mix of fortunes for the girls from Crediton RFC on Sunday, October 17.

With the U18s National Cup Game being cancelled and the U13s not due to play, some hard work behind the scenes managed to get both these sides fixtures and they joined the U15s at Blagdon for their National Cup opening group game v Exeter Saracens.

In conditions again more like a good summer’s day than the start of autumn it was fabulous to see more than 90 girls from across Devon at Kirton for some quality, exciting and hard fought rugby.

U15s - National Cup - First leg

Crediton U15s 30 - Exeter Saracens U15’s 15

Having played Exeter Saracens already twice in friendlies this month we welcomed them again to Crediton for a National Cup game.

Sarries arrived with a sense of urgency missing in their last two matches, which could have come as a surprise to the Crediton girls.

However, no matter how hard Sarries attacked, Crediton were resolute in their defence, Crediton continued to defend well, keeping good shape, remaining patient.

Their patience was rewarded when a turnover was passed out of the crowd for Gracie to beat three or four players to score.

This turned the game in Crediton’s favour with tries coming steadily through the remainder of the half.

One of these was a result of a dominant tackle from Kaitlyn, causing the Sarries player to knock the ball on.

Crediton playing with the advantage ran through to score a fantastic try. Immy, Poppy Symons and Kaitlyn getting on the scoresheet in the first half.

In the second half the match was much closer, knowing the game was lost Sarries started to play for pride.

They were much quicker to the tackle and much more committed to the rucks. Even with this new approach from Exeter, Crediton were able to score two tries courtesy of Immy and Natasha.

As Crediton started to tire the game opened up allowing Exeter to score three consolation tries towards the end of the match. But with the game already in the bag the Crediton girls can be very proud of their performance.

A big thank you to all of the spectators for cheering us on, it really makes a difference.

U13s 40 - Barbarians Oaks, Devonport Services and Teignmouth 50

In bright and sunny conditions the Crediton girls prepared for a game with three cluster sides.

The girls, who were joined by two from Paignton, kicked off only to concede a try almost immediately with some strong running from the opposition. The girls then kicked into gear scoring the next try after going through a few phases with positive carries over the gainline.

The game then settled into a back and forth affair with both sides scoring freely neither side able to build a solid lead or defend the slim lead they had. Both sides battled hard as both sides felt the heat towards the end.

It was a brilliant game full of everything you could want out of high scoring running rugby. In the end it finished 40-50 to the visitors. Both sides can be pleased with their performances and hope to build on the momentum at training this week.

U18s 34 - Barbarians - Teignmouth, Exmouth, Paignton and Newton Abbot 17

In what transpired to be Crediton U18 Girls biggest test of the season so far and the only thing that threatened to spoil the occasion was the unrelenting summer conditions.

There was much discussion before the game - a hastily arranged fixture to replace the scheduled National Cup Game - about the format for the day but as the numbers settled down a 15-a-side game ensued. And a great game it turned out to be.

The opposition, a Barbarians Team made up of Teignmouth, Exmouth, Paignton and Newon Abbot girls, were the physically bigger team and presented the Kirton crew with a set of problems that they had yet to face this season.

The defence had to be quick to stop runners building momentum and rucks, especially when our ball, had to be defended quickly and in pairs to stop them driving us off of the ball.

And, in the main, this is what happened. The Amber and Blacks continually combined to provide safe ball from breakdowns and good communication provided good ball to release the Kirton runners again.

But a stern test it was and a half-time score of 17-5, highlighted that Crediton were not going to have it all their own way and would be toiling in the heat to maintain their slim advantage.

As the second half started Crediton had switched tactics and used their speed advantage to chase down ball kicked over the heads of the opposition.

This paid off when a kick was received by the widest Barbarians player who immediately was surrounded by four Creddy support runners, the ball was stripped and fed out for a try, scored with a run down the touchline before the cut in under the posts.

This was the first of four tries shared between the teams during the opening 15 minutes of the half.

The heat and handling errors from both sides saw possession and territory ebb and flow and with the game being played on the expanse of the main Crediton pitch. The application from both sides had to be admired.

One more Crediton try, a smart move worked down their left hand side, turned out to be the last score of the game but the closing encounters saw the visitors camped in the Crediton half and only some fantastic defence - tackles, pressure from the defensive line and kicks away - allowed the 34-17 score turn into the final result.

And, for girls of both sides, a much needed treat at the end as lollies were given and very gratefully received.

The Coaches were impressed yet again today with what these girls can achieve.

With six or seven girls playing in positions for the very first time they helped each other with constant communication, superb support for runners and when they were eventually stopped, support at the breakdowns.

The performance, bearing in mind the quality of the opposition and our re-jigged line up, was at times the best the Kirton girls had played so far this season.

New problems solved by a new arrangement of personnel on a pitch they’d never played on before and everyone giving their best. And lollies to finish!! What another great day of rugby.

Thank you, more than usual, to the parents that ran the kitchen. To have a great team come together at such short notice was fantastic.

Andrew Drayton