KIRTON’S U18 Girls bounced back from recent defeats with a rousing victory over Exeter Saracens in the Devon Cup.

The Black and Ambers flew into the match and drove down the pitch from the kick off using hard carries and passing across the back line to get down to the Sarries try line before a pick and go from the base of a ruck saw the first points on the board inside five minutes.

The game then settled into a rhythm of periods of possession for both sides turned over by errant handling or quick jackling at the breakdown. Slowly Crediton worked the ball forward again and increased their lead with another opportunistic off load and crash through for the try.

As has been the case with the visitors in the previous games this season, they do not give up lightly, if at all, and they forged back into the game with some great rugby of their own.

Taking advantage of some indiscipline from the Kirton girls which led to a couple of penalties, the Red and Black shirts almost scored from a line break and then sealed the deal forcing themselves over the Kirton line for the score that led to a half-time 10-5.

With a tantalising second half looking to be on the cards, Crediton took the wind straight out of Saracens sails with another early try and then another score to set up a healthy lead.

But as earlier, Saracens refused to lie down and doubled their efforts, bringing impressive drive and some great use of their backs to keep the Black and Amber shirts honest in their endeavours.

Indeed, this period of pressure brought just reward as they made the next score to keep themselves in the game.

However, this just seemed to gird the loins of the Creddy girls who then became relentless in their pursuit of more points. The black and amber wave came with added fortitude and they ran in three final tries in the closing period to stretch out the final score to a deserved 39-10 victory.

The Crediton Coaches were more than pleased with the girls’ performance, saying at the conclusion: “We loved the variation that the girls showed today.

"Our last two games were very attritional so to be able to bring other elements to our game today was very satisfying. Our off-loading game came together really well and ended up being our biggest weapon today”, they continued: “This was the third time we have played Sarries this season and their improvement was marked and gave us new problems to solve. They never give up, play with great spirit and provided a good test again for us today.”

Team Manager Anna, was delighted with the turnout at the game, played on the club’s main pitch: “Thank you to everyone that came along to watch. It’s brilliant for the girls to play in front of such great support, it gives them such a lift. Thanks also to our Kitchen Volunteers for the day, it’s always appreciated.”

Andrew Drayton