THE 2021-22 season finally got under way at least for the Second, Third and Colts XV’s.

The Firsts will have to wait until tomorrow, Saturday, September 11, a week longer as our scheduled first opponents of the season, Stroud, have withdrawn from the league.

However, the Seconds faced a stiff challenge at Brixham for their first Merit Table game for 18 months. The match squad included nine players whose last game for the Club was in the Colts and who have now moved into the seniors.

Brixham were first to get on the scoreboard after only two minutes of play when their backs created an overlap in the corner and a missed tackle enabled them to touch down for a converted try.

The response was fairly swift with a catch and drive try from a five metre lineout, prop Joe Rees got the final touchdown but the conversion was not successful.

It soon became apparent that we had a significant advantage in the forwards but the Fishermen looked much sharper in the backs which caused us problems.

Brixham increased their lead on seven minutes when again they created a good overlap to score an unconverted try in the corner.

They scored their third try after 33 minutes when, from a set scrum in the Crediton five metres area, they spun the ball wide for their centre to crash over for an unconverted try.

Shortly before the interval, Crediton reduced the arrears when, following good line breaks from Chris Hooper and then Macca Jones, created pressure on the Brixham try line.

Lock Callum Anthony finally touched down although the try was unconverted, making the half-time score 17-10 to Brixham.

Brixham increased the tempo at the start of the second half and following a series of good threequarter moves, they broke through the Crediton defence to score a converted try on 46 minutes.

Within 10 minutes the lead increased even further when, after winning good line-out ball their backs once again ran strongly and broke through several missed tackles to go over for another converted try.

Crediton replied on the hour with a good training ground move. A short line-out in the Brixham five metres area saw the forwards set up a strong drive to go over the Brixham line with Nathan Karea getting the touch down for an unconverted try.

Crediton added to their total after 72 minutes when Liam Newstead took a quick tap penalty and showed great strength to power over for an unconverted try.

Brixham had the final say when just before the final whistle their backs once again broke through several tackles to touch down under the posts for a converted try, making the final score 38-20 to Brixham.

This was a very creditable performance from a young Crediton squad which showed great potential against a much more experienced Brixham side, and although there are things to work on, this squad will continue to improve which augers well for the future.

Crediton Third XV 3 v Exmouth Third XV 63

A very young and inexperienced Crediton side came up against a very experienced and powerful Exmouth side and there was only ever going to be one winner.

Sadly, the game was marred by a serious injury to Crediton’s Guy Courage who suffered a broken ankle less than a minute into the game.

Such a shame having waited 18 months to get a game, this happens within seconds of the start, fortunately, Guy was in good spirits when he left in the ambulance.

Once the game got under way, Exmouth began to dominate possession but initially found it difficult to break down the Crediton defence.

However, once the initial breakthrough was made, the floodgates opened during the second quarter and by half-time the Cockles had rattled up four converted tries to our solitary penalty slotted over by Elliot White.

After a couple of changes in the second half, we did enjoy a bit more possession and the forwards began to dominate the set scrum earning a few penalties along the way.

However, the Exmouth defence managed to snuff out our attacks and as the game entered the final quarter and with a few fresh legs off the bench, they ran in another five tries. Certainly, tiredness had crept in but the players showed tremendous spirit and resolve, heads never dropped and it is doubtful if they will come up against sides stronger than Exmouth.

Barnstaple Colts 29 v Crediton Colts 10

The Colts opened their season with a trip up the A377 to Barnstaple on a sunny September Saturday.

With half of the squads having missed their first year of Colts rugby and the other half having missed their final year in junior rugby, both sets of players were chomping at the bit to get going.

Being the only game at Pottington Road, there was a decent home crowd, but the Kirton lads were buoyed by good travelling support. All those spectating were treated to an entertaining game and the future of both clubs looks to be in safe hands.

We started really well and it was clear that the return to full blooded rugby was welcomed by all the players! We were dominating the collisions and with good ball being secured, we were looking to play an expansive game.

After 10 minutes we got ourselves in a good attacking position with a line-out deep in the opposition “22”.

The catch and drive worked well, allowing Tom Gulley to break from the back of the maul and power over.

The conversion was missed and it was 0-5. We continued to apply pressure and, on 15 minutes, Kofi Firth fielded a Barnstaple clearance and set off on a counter. Quick ruck ball gave the backs an opportunity to run and when the ball got to Freddie Borthen out wide, he bounced off a couple of defenders to go over in the corner to make it 0-10.

Confidence was high but we seemed to get on the wrong side of the referee and, by giving away a number of penalties, we were allowing the home side back into the game and on 25 minutes there was a swing in momentum as, after several phases and good play, Barnstaple scored and it was 5-10.

This score certainly got the Barnstaple tails up and on the stroke of half-time, they crossed again and scores were level, 10-10.

The second half began as the first finished, with Barnstaple looking to take control. Our defence was solid but we were tending to cough up the ball a little too easily when we had possession. We were certainly still in the game and were unfortunate not to regain the lead when, after a flowing move the ball was pulled over the line.

Three tries in 10 minutes killed the game for us as, between 55 and 65 minutes, Barnstaple moved 29-10 ahead. We rallied in the final few minutes and the game ended with us being tackled into touch after another decent passage of play.

This was a really positive outing for the lads, their first in 18 months and their first as a Colts squad. While there are things to work on, the attitude, commitment and energy were all excellent and we look forward to seeing how this squad develops over the season.

Crediton Colts 29 v Exeter School 0

The Colts bounced back from their disappointing result at Barnstaple with a superb performance against another very good Exeter School team on September 7.

This annual fixture is something that we look forward to and in all honesty, the School usually come out on top.

However, on this occasion it was the Colts who came out on top. Early Exeter pressure was defended very well and the game was evenly balanced in the opening quarter.

Crediton opened the scoring with a well crafted try for Ethan Dickinson and was soon followed by a second touch down by Will Conner, both converted by fly-half Haydn Gosling.

The Crediton side had some real pace in the threes and posed several problems for the School whose defence was always solid. As an attacking force, the School had their moments but the Colts defence stood firm.

In the latter stages, Freddie Blackburn, Freddie Borthen and Matt Weeks all scored tries for the Colts in what was a really enjoyable game, both sides deserve credit for the way they approach the game, with both sets of backs enjoying plenty of opportunities to show their paces. The Colts made better use of their chances in what was an excellent game for which both sides should be congratulated.

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 11, the First XV travel to Thornbury for the opening league game. The Quins have another difficult game at home against Barnstaple, the Thirds visit Westcountry Wasps and the Colts host Bideford.

Paul Harris

Walking Rugby Festival Kingswood, Bristol.

Saturday, August 28.

Players: Ivan Phillips, Kate Wodge, Laura Ford, Paul Faulkener, Martin Rich, Colette Frost, David Evans, Phil Thicthener and Peter Burks.

We all have our foibles. The beauty of walking rugby is that the inclusive ethos of the game makes plenty of allowances for all our minor weaknesses and eccentricities.

As a scratch side assembled for the first time on Saturday morning at Kingswood RFC the prospect of six games of walking rugby should have been daunting. Not a bit of it. We jelled quickly to play our best tournament rugby to-date. Two wins, one draw and three losses.

A stern defence was forged with Colette Frost, Paul Faulkener and Martin Rich commanding the midfield. Wingers Ivan Phillips, Kate Wodge and Laura Ford put some real pace onto the ball stretching defences while the pacy Phil Thicthener scored three valuable tries, with the elusive Pete

Burks ghosting through to score once and David Evans adding to the tally. Apologise if any try scorers have been missed out – we all have our foibles.

Patience, communication and the elimination of errors is central to success in walking rugby and our twice-a-week training regime led by Martin Rich and supported by Ernie Lloyd is beginning to pay dividends. Above all the game is great fun with plenty of opportunities for a laugh and making friendships.

Congratulations must go to Kingswood RFC for a superbly organised festival. The refereeing, in particular, was consistently firm but fair allowing Crediton RFC to show their true colour by winning the Fair Play Award.

David Evans