CREDITON U13s 75 WINSCOMBE 55

THE Under 13s followed the footsteps of the Crediton first team with a win.

Playing 10s, Crediton with no subs and Winscombe with lots, Crediton had the perseverance and determination throughout the game.

On the attack, aggressive and strong running, with good support to allow quick offloads created a number of try opportunities.

The girls showed excellent handling of the ball, in passing, the receiving of high balls after kick off and setting up the ball well at breakdowns.

There was development from last week’s game on the defence lines, being maintained most of the time and they were quicker moving forwards on the whistle. 

With improved communication from all throughout the game, it allowed ball carriers to know where the support was and improvements in tackling stopping a number of opposition running through the defensive line.

Even when two players were taken off injured towards the end of the match, the girls continued to dig deep, work hard and maintain the lead.

Play of the day was Abigail’s try saving tackle, with Charlotte turning over possession, offloading to Abigail for a full length of the pitch try.

What a great game and brilliant team effort.

Try scorers: Lucy Cross, Charley Baker, Tilly Pulfer, Charlotte Wreford, Jess Denham Hill and Abigail Adams.

CREDITON U15s 19 WINSCOMBE 29

CREDITON U15 girls can hold their heads high after their first defeat of the season.

In a magnificent game, enjoyed by everyone that was there, the Crediton U15 girls suffered a close defeat away to Winscombe.

The Crediton Girls fought hard and to the very end in an attempt to stave off the defeat and earned the platitudes of both the opposing coaches and referee for their sterling effort.

All of the early part of the game was spent in the Winscombe half and most of that in their 22 area as Crediton pressed and pressed for the first try. But it wasn’t to be as Winscombe, with a single breakaway from their fly-half, ran down the pitch to make the first score.

Unabashed, Crediton again took the game to the hosts, playing and pressing in their half and gained parity with an opportunist try from a penalty, taking the lead with the conversion from it.

Frustratingly for the Black and Gold’s, in an almost deja vu period of play Winscombe again broke out of constant Crediton pressure to get their second try but this just seemed to fire up the Creddy girls and they took back the lead, which they then held until half-time, with the best try of the match.

They kept the ball moving, rucked well and a series of quick passes saw a run to the line from 10 yards out to finish a fine move.

The main difference in the sides came early in the second half. A string of injuries within a five-minute period meant that Crediton had to re-adjust their side and, unfortunately, Winscombe capitalised on this, scoring two quick tries shortly after and then a third before the Crediton girls got the bit between their teeth again scoring their third try and pressing hard for another right up until the final whistle.

The 29-19 defeat was harsh on a team that could easily have won by a similar scoreline had the breaks gone the other way.

Coach on the day, Andrew Drayton said afterwards: “Obviously I’m a bit biased but I honestly thought we were the better side today. We were unfortunate that they took full advantage when we had to shuffle around our side, but the grit and determination that the girls showed made us incredibly proud of them.”

He continued: “I’d like to thank every single one of the girls for their efforts today. When we had to change things around everyone offered to pitch in, girls offered to play positions they weren’t familiar with and the team spirit that they showed in the last 10 to 12 minutes when they were fighting back was inspiring.

"We have so many positives to take out of this game and into the rest of the season.”

Try scorers: Holly Keast, Katie Salter and Laura Cooper. Conversions: Holly Keast (2).

A TOUGH AWAY GAME

Crediton U18 girls suffered another tough away game.

Missing some of the experienced players, Crediton were outplayed physically and struggled at the breakdown against a good and well-organised team.

As the game progressed the tackling improved and Crediton managed to keep the ball for longer periods but ultimately were shown a lesson in how to tackle and ruck.

The way the girls have reacted to the quality of the opposition in the last two weeks will help the development of the team and individual performances as they look to emulate the skills that have been met at Devonport and Winscombe.

The opposition coach praised the girls for their positive attitude throughout the game and said the U18s had the makings of a really good team.

Libby Baker was nominated player of the match by the opposition.

Try scorers: Grace Eckford and Lena Agreda.

Suzy Keast

Girls Manager, Crediton RFC.