CREDITON RFC Ladies travelled to Plymstock Albion Oaks on November 12 for their league fixture, which is not always the easiest place to play, as we found out last season drawing with The Oaks away from home. They received the kick-off, playing down the slope and within the first five minutes of the match Rachel Mortimer found space to break through the line and score under the posts.

She converted her own try to make the score 7-0. The Oaks replied, with some strong running to put Crediton under pressure, before scoring a try of their own near the post.

The home side failed to convert the extra two points. This was the way it stayed throughout the rest of the very frustrating, penalty ridden first half, leaving the score at the break Crediton 7 - Albion Oaks 5. At half-time Crediton Ladies took a zen like approach, reflecting on the first 40 minutes and what they could improve on in the second half?

After taking some deep breaths, they were ready to go to work! Playing up the slope, Crediton looked revitalised and started pressurising the home side’s set piece and open play, meaning that the only option for the Oaks was to kick deep down field.

Katie Salter collected the ball and passed to Alice Scully who raced 60 metres up the pitch to score once again under the posts.  Rachel Mortimer stepped up to add the extra two. With the score standing at 14-5 to the visitors, you could feel there was a different atmosphere, the wind seemed to have been taken from the home team’s sails.

When they were given a penalty just inside Crediton’s 22, they opted for the penalty kick which converted, however, made it very big statement about Crediton’s defensive line. Crediton could smell blood and went for it from the restart, they applied more pressure until the ball became theirs, and with some hard running from Grace Gillard and some quick hands, Sarah Kingdon stormed through to score her first of the day.  Rachel Mortimer kindly added the conversion. Crediton, now in dominant form, retained the ball from the kick-off, to camp themselves in the home side’s half, probing Plymstock’s defence and looking for weaknesses.

This was found by Sophie Phillips, who broke through to score after several phases of play.

Once again Rachel Mortimer stepped up to add the extra two points. With Crediton now 20 points in front, the writing seemed to be on the wall for the home side.

Crediton launched another attack, and it was now down to Holly Keast to finish a well-worked move to score out wide, unfortunately the kick went wide. 

With little time left on the clock and the home side faltering Crediton raised a final assault into the oppositions 22.  With some excellent phase play which perforated Plymstock’s defence, we saw Sarah Kingdon crashed through to score the final try of the day.

Final score was Plymstock Albion Oaks Ladies 8 – Crediton Ladies 38.

Forward of the match went to Grace Gillard and Back of the match went to Alice Scully.

Please join us for our next match which is at home on December 3.

We see a top of the table clash with Exeter Athletic Women’s and all support will be welcomed to help the Ladies seek victory.

Kev Ellis