CREDITON Under 18s were thrown straight in at the deep end following their extended festive break.

Unfortunate to lose by just two points in their last outing before Christmas (and unable to arrange alternative fixtures), it had been nearly a month since the Kirton girls had had a chance to play competitive rugby and an away match against close rivals Sidmouth in the Devon Cup was always going to be a baptism of fire as the second half of the season restarted.

And the crowd were treated to a cracker. Playing down the slope for the opening half, the girls in black and amber started with some trepidation, their normally reliable scrums suffered early teething problems and they found themselves, although closely, being beaten at the breakdowns.

Handling errors in the opposition and some outstanding tackling kept the half equal with most of the action between the 22’s and each side having only limited time and opportunity to take an early lead.

When the half-time whistle eventually blew, the 0-0 scoreline was testament to how closely the teams were matched and the sterling efforts of individuals and teamwork in the defences.

Playing uphill in the second half Crediton dominated the early exchanges, spending the first 10-15 minutes forcing the girls in green to defend but the momentum swung following an intercepted pass that took Sidmouth flying down the pitch with only a great cover tackle and defensive re-organisation from the Kirton girls denying the opening score.

This seemed to shake the Kirton girls though and as Sidmouth pressed and pressed again a score looked forthcoming.

Indeed the ball did get over the Crediton line only to be ruled out for not being grounded properly. With the game still being fought out in the Crediton half, a penalty went the way of the home side which they elected to kick to get the first points on the board.

For the last 10 minutes the mission for the black and ambers was clear. Score to win.

And they threw themselves into the task repeatedly driving forward, now winning breakdown ball and going again. And again.

A penalty of their own gave them the chance to draw level but the girls backed themselves to get that elusive try and drove again. And, mere seconds later, went for it again from another penalty.

Credit must be given to Sidmouth for the resistance they continued to provide and as they held their own final scrum and eventually managed to get the ball into touch, just a couple of yards from their own line, their victory arrived as the referee brought an end to the contest, Sidmouth winning by that single penalty 3-0.

It was a thrilling encounter between two extremely even sides which raised the heart rate of everyone attending, and whilst defeat was painful for Crediton the effort that the girls put in cannot be faulted and to keep going for the win, fighting until the very end is a credit to their determination and how they want to play the game.

It must be mentioned that, such was the quality of technique in tackle, breakdown and contact overall that the whole game was played with only a small break in play for an accidental errant thumb in the eye. Fantastic attitude from girls of both sides and a game played in a fantastic spirit.

Thank you to everybody that travelled south to provide the support the girls deserved and whilst the result wasn’t what we wanted the excitement the girls provided made the trip worthwhile.

Andrew Drayton