CREDITON 3RDS 18 - TIVERTON 3RDS 12

THE Third Fifteen gave Crediton RFC its first action at home in 2020 and, with derby rivals Tiverton, served up a great advert for grassroots rugby which was a credit to both clubs.

We started the game strongly and after some early pressure were awarded a penalty. A good kick to touch gave us a decent attacking position and with a well-worked lineout catch and drive, hooker Andy Griffiths burrowed over for the opening score.

The conversion was missed but we were looking good for our 5-0 lead at this early stage.

Tiverton hadn’t travelled over the hills just to make up the numbers though and they responded almost immediately with a catch and drive try of their own to make it 5-5.

This seemed to stir the visitors into life and, in all fairness, they dominated the remainder of the first half. They were well-organised, with a decent lineout and a set of backs who wanted to give it a go.

With the first half drawing to a close and having had two players sin binned, we’d have been happy going into the break all square.

As it was we were over the moon when Hayden Hill intercepted a pass on our own “22” and ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts.

He added the extras and having been on the back foot for most of the half we were 12-5 up.

The second half was more even in terms of possession and territory. Tiverton opened the scoring with a length of the pitch try themselves. Having been under the cosh from our pack, their defensive effort earned them a scrum deep in their own “22”.

A break by their No 8 drew in some defenders and the ball was worked wide for their full back to run in from some distance.

The conversion was successful, and it was 12-12.

The game continued at quite a pace and with 20 minutes to go we were awarded a penalty which Hill slotted to make it 15-12.

The final quarter saw both sides working hard in attack and defence and play swinging from end-to-end.

With a few seconds remaining after another period of forward pressure, we won another penalty. Hill again converted and the final whistle blew for a 18-12 victory.

This really was a thoroughly entertaining and competitive game. At a time when Third Fifteen rugby in general is in decline, this was a tremendous advert for lower Fifteen rugby and both clubs are fortunate to have people prepared to put in the time and effort to get games on!

TIVERTON 2NDS 17 - CREDITON 2NDS 24

The Second Fifteen completed the double over Tiverton in what was a tight affair played in very muddy conditions.

We had the edge up front and held a slight advantage 7-5 at the interval courtesy of a Josh Woodland try and a Tom Ronchetti conversion.

The lead was extended early in the second half when No 8 George Savage touched down.

The home side hit back with a try to reduce the arrears to two points before scrum-half George Guthrie, with a sniping run, added a third try converted by Ronchetti.

Savage bagged his second and the bonus point try before Tivvy had the final word with a converted try.

Paul Harris