WELLINGTON 30

CREDITON 18

IT took four attempts to get this game played due to weather problems on Saturday, March 16, and ultimately it was the home side that thoroughly deserved their victory.

Certainly they are the best side we have played during the campaign and were strong in all departments and no-one could argue they were good value for their win.

That said, we did suffer some considerable disruption, especially in the pack where back rowers Ben Wonnacott and Jake Clarke had their games cut short just before half-time with injuries and the loss of second row Phil Holmes also to injury midway through the second half.

We began the game with the slope in our favour but against the wind and the home side showed their attacking intent early on but defensively we were pretty solid and they were unable to capitalise.

The breakthrough came after 25 minutes when No 8 Cam Venn was driven over from a driving maul.

We responded almost immediately with a superb effort from centre Mark Lee who received the ball wide out on the left 30 metres out and then cut inside wrong footing the home defence to score at the posts. Fly-half Ollie Avery-Wright added the extras and we were ahead.

With the interval looming, home second row Martin Walker was the beneficiary of another driving maul but Avery-Wright landed a penalty to square things up at the break.

The second half belonged to Wellington and we were forced onto the back foot soaking up pressure and eventually we began to fall off tackles.

The home side found themselves 18-10 ahead with a well-worked try from fly-half Paddy Jarman and a penalty from full-back Alex Davey.

Avery-Wright landed a penalty and we had hopes of at least a bonus point. However, the final 15 minutes victory was sealed for the home side with two mauled tries, one of which was converted.

By now we had Mark and Josh Lee in the second row and a completely revamped back row and the final five minutes were spent camped on the Wellington line.

We were by now shoving them back in the scrum and indeed took two strikes against the head. Several pick and go’s edged us ever nearer to their line and we forced a couple of penalties opting firstly for another scrum and then a line out.

Eventually, we did get the ball out wide and Jason Luff went over, the kick proved a difficult one and was marginally wide off the mark.

That did bring an air of respectability to the score and whilst the home side were worthy winners, the score would have been somewhat closer had we not suffered the injuries.

To lose players of the calibre of Ben Wonnacott and Jake Clarke for half the game was a big blow, they are both continually at the forefront of our defensive lines and their absence was a major blow in the second half.

The second half performance was disappointing. We fell off tackles and the energy and intensity that we have been so accustomed to seeing just wasn’t there.

That’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of effort, it was just one of those days! We haven’t had many days like it this season but sometimes you just have to accept that you were second best.

No excuses though, Wellington were deserved winners and probably the best side we have faced to-date.

The result combined with Sidmouth surprisingly losing at Winscombe has left us still at the top of WCW by a single point but the battle between the top four has become so much tighter with only four points separating them and we all have 20 points to play for.

Although St Austell have lost twice as many games as ourselves, they have made up the difference with bonus points earned and of course we travel there tomorrow for another tough encounter.

Dust yourselves down lads and move on from this one. It’s all to play for and we’re right behind you!

Thanks and well done to Under 16 Liam Bayley who did a great job running the line!

CREDITON SECONDS 27

BUDE SECONDS 3

This was a well-contested game with the ‘Quins doing well to take a four-point lead into the second half, having played against the slope and almost a gale.

Using the conditions to their advantage, we then dominated the territorial play in the second half and, with fitness and organisation becoming more apparent, dominated the later stages of the game.

Sam Harris, Hayden Hill, Tom Luxmoore, Charlie Slade and Jonny Butt scored the tries with Josh Davey adding a conversion.

CREDITON COLTS 54

EXETER ATHLETIC 22

The Colts continued their good form with an impressive eight-try victory over Exeter Athletic. They will now meet either South Molton or Tavistock in the Plate Semi-Final at Crediton on March 30.

Cameron Storey touched down twice and there were further tries from Jacob Turner, Josh Woodland, Ethan Power, Harry Poole, Oscar Voysey, and Lewis Warren. Owen Cooper landed six conversions and Story one.

Paul Harris