THE Girls of Crediton Rugby Club, at last, got to hand out their awards for last season after the inevitable delays caused by Covid-19.
The gathering of players, coaches and parents to celebrate their achievements was delayed and delayed so, recently, they took the bull by the horns and held an impromptu prize-giving before training.
With a variety of impacts from the weather to a global pandemic the 2019-2020 rugby season ended up being short but sweet for the girls of Crediton Rugby Club.
A perfectly normal season prior to Christmas, the cold and rain that came after the festive period dominated the condition of pitches throughout the county, with swathes of matches being cancelled and, just as the girls started to get going again, the spectre of Covid reared its head and the season was over in mid-March.
And, what a shame for the female Black and Amber’s. All three of the age groups had won the vast majority of their games, played some scintillating rugby and impressed opposition coaches and supporters the length and breadth of Devon.
What sets the Crediton Girls sides apart from many other clubs is the spirit in which they play the game.
Throughout all of the age groups last season, the major source of pride for coaches were the compliments and recognition for how the club approaches the game as a whole.
No girl really wants to play for the opposition but, on many many occasions this had to be done so that games could go ahead.
And without fail the girls who swapped a Black and Amber shirt for something else never let themselves or the club down, putting in the efforts that they would have for their own team.
It’s this attitude that sees the female side of the club continue to go from strength-to-strength, with numbers increasing year-on-year. This season already, three of the squads are now at capacity and the squad limits mean they have had to establish waiting lists to join!
But it’s not just the girls themselves that create the community feel that Crediton RFC thrives upon, there are a host of others that play their part in providing training and games from August to May.
There was a big thank you from the girls to the coaching teams for the efforts they make to plan and deliver training and organise and encourage on match days. The coaches retorted by saying “not only is it a pleasure to be associated with these girls but that the whole coaching ’squad’ really is a team. Swapping ideas and helping each other out across age groups shows a camaraderie and sets an example that is fantastic to be a part of.”
The Club passed on a "Thank you" to all of the parents of the girls; Car sharing, kitchen duties, First Aiders, Subs collectors and, of course, vociferous support both home and away are just some of the ways that allow the Girls teams to function and flourish. They have been stars!
There was also a special word for the Girls Manager, Suzy Keast, for the incredible amount of work that she does behind the scenes.
It’s not a rare occurrence to find that when you get home from training you find that Suzy has sent a couple of Whatsapp messages, an email and some Facebook posts in the time it took to get home. And she does this for Devon too.
Last year’s ’cluster games’ that allowed clubs with smaller numbers to be involved in as many games as possible was her concept and shows her commitment and outlook for the good of the game as a whole as well as representing Crediton RFC at the highest levels and with the right attitude.
As mentioned, each of the teams had established an enviable record across the part of the season that could be played out. Not only are they well respected for their attitude but also for the way that they play the game. The squads vary in ability from Academy and County levels to players that were playing their very first season of the oval ball game.
And every girl gets their chance to shine because the club, even before it became mandatory, gives every girl that attends on a match day at least half a game. It is this inclusion of all that is one of the roots to the success of the female game and is attracting girls from other clubs where this is not necessarily the case.
And so, onto the Awards. The three age groups have four categories per squad and what follows are the descriptions of the teams performances and the individual player write ups for the award presented.
Crediton Girls U13s
An absolutely outstanding season from last year’s U13 squad. Fearless and talented the girls swept pretty much everyone before them, losing only two (shortened games) in the season.
This and the fact that the coaches, John and Chris, report that they were a joy to coach with hard work, smiles and an ability to take on board new idea lead to the club awarding the squad.
Crediton Girls U13s - Crediton Rugby Club Junior Team of the Season.
Individual Honours
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
ELLIE-MAY JOHNSON
Crediton Girls Rugby knew Ellie was a good player last season but she lacked confidence in matches. From the beginning of this season Ellie has improved game-on-game. She punches well above her size and has a kick which opens up the game for the rest of the team.
BEST TACKLER
LIVVY HARDING
A player new to rugby this season, Livvy’s commitment to the tackle and the force that she enters contact with makes her tackling stand out. From the very start of the season she keeps asking in training, "is it contact yet?". Definitely not shy of contact.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
POPPY HARRISON
Stand out performer this season, whose efforts often go under the radar. Great quality in her play and a great attitude whether playing for Crediton or helping out opposition, (requested specifically by Camborne RFC on occasions. Popular with her team mates both on and off the pitch.
PLAYERS PLAYER
CHARLOTTE WREFORD
A quality player who has fantastic skills both with the ball in hand as well as with her feet. Deserves this award as recognition of what an outstanding team player she is.
Crediton Girls U15s
Last year’s U15s had a successful season with some eye catching results, not least the 45-0 win away to South Molton where they put in pretty much the perfect performance. One of the characteristics of the side was the willingness to just play the game and they received many many compliments from other sides when they had to lend players to get a match going.
As well as the hard work put in, training was always fun and coaches Dan, Stef and Andrew thoroughly enjoyed their time with this group of girls.
To underline the talent in the squad, the 10 girls that entered the Devon selection process all made the final trial and eight of those the final Devon squad. Comfortably the highest club representation in the County.
Individual Awards
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
SCARLETT WONNACOTT
It’s always going to be daunting moving up an age group and being the younger girl in a two year age category. When your position is prop and this is your first year contesting full scrums, that learning curve is both steep and unforgiving. Scarlett has gone from a “Half Game”, “Non-contested” front row player to a First Choice Loosehead who is technically very proficient and spent the second half of the season folding up girls physically bigger than she is. If she continues to improve as she has this season she will be one of the best the County has to offer next year.
BEST TACKLER
MILLIE RICHARDS
In a squad that prided itself on the amount of “Attack Dogs” it could send into the fray to upset and disrupt the opposition, Millie was one of the leaders of that pack. Never compromising, she will chase down and bring down player after player in the cause of the team. What has set Millie apart this year though was an unfortunate broken collarbone that she received in a “dubious” tackle on her. There was a certain amount of consternation amongst the coaches about how she would be after her recovery but this was dispelled within minutes of her return to action when she made three crunching tackles one after the other and we could see that, if anything, she was more ferocious than ever.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
ALICIA STEBBING
A genuine all rounder but with specific skills that help the team. Plays and trains at a consistent and high level and can always be relied upon to give her best. Is fearless in both the tackle and breakdown and has a great reading of the game to put herself in the positions she’s needed in, when she’s needed there. As Hooker for the team she has an accurate throw-in. She was the teams “go to” conversion girl and has a signature out of the back of the hand pass that the whole squad refer to as “The Alicia”.
PLAYERS PLAYER
LILLY PLOWMAN
A worthy choice from the girls and very well deserved because Lilly genuinely leads by example on and off the pitch. Has attended virtually every single training session and game and never gives less than 100 per cent in either. Is popular and ready to give and take advice to improve her game and that of her team-mates and always with a smile on her face.
Crediton Girls U18s
Last Years U18s side took great strides forward over the course of the season. Under the coaching team of Suzy, Matt, Paul, Des and Morley. The squad worked hard to come together which is always a challenge with three different year groups, and as the season went on the girls went from strength-to-strength. The squad had ability and drive all over the field and could adapt their game as required. Hard fought forward battles, flowing back moves and intelligent kicking aligned to team moves meant that this group of girls were a side to be reckoned with wherever they played. They too made their mark in the County side with nine girls donning the County Green and White, again the highest representation of any club in the county.
Individual Awards
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
CLARA JOHNSON
Clara gained in confidence this season. Unaware of her own abilities she brought another dimension to the team. Not only did she improve her own individual skills but helped improve the quality of the whole team.
BEST TACKLER
EMILY BLATCHFORD
Emily made many a try saving tackle over the course of the season. Being one of the tallest players her fantastic technique meant she could go low to cut down opponents. She was also a strong leader of the team and led by example with the quality and quantity of tackles that she made.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
HOLLY PICKETT
Holly showed outstanding commitment to the squad last season. She played 100 per cent of the sides games and missed only one training session all season. Eminently coachable due to her commitment, attitude and willingness to improve, she plays as a prop, which is not favoured by most girls. Never moans and has continued that commitment to the game and the club by now representing the Crediton Ladies and joining the coaching team for this years U13s.
PLAYERS PLAYER
LUCY STEPHENSON
Lucy was an outstanding and popular player last season. The ability to go into the tackle and come out with the ball showed both her tenaciousness and skills. A superb team player, committed and a real character off the pitch. The only girl last year to turn up for training in dressing gown and slippers. In the middle of winter! Like Holly, she too has taken her enthusiasm to the Ladies Team and is passing on her skills to this years U13 squad.
The 2020/21 season has, of course, got off to a strange start, and will carry on in this vein for the foreseeable future. But, so far, the Girls sides have seen great numbers continue to turn up for training, despite the restrictions the club have to work under. Very limited contact means that coaches are being very creative in planning sessions to keep the girls interests high and provide variation to each session.
New players have already joined, both from other clubs and as brand new players, and the girls coaching teams will continue to provide the best environment that they can to allow the girls to enjoy, develop and improve because it’s no more than they deserve. Long may their successes continue.
Andrew Drayton