CREDITON 38 - WADEBRIDGE 26

AS we went into the final league weekend on Saturday, April 13 all that was needed was a victory to ensure at least a place in the play-offs although to gain promotion as Champions it would require Sidmouth to lose at Saltash.

In the end, the status quo was maintained as each of the top three sides gained bonus point wins and so we retained second place and will travel to Midsomer Norton on April 27 to decide who goes up.

Of course, for those who are fans of Inspector Barnaby, it begs the question – are there still enough people left in Midsomer to raise a team!?

Having got the better of Wadebridge on their own patch in the first game of the season (43-20), there was no reason to believe that we could not win the return game and indeed two minutes into the second half it looked as though we would have a cricket score.

However, the visitors must have taken heart from the Scotland performance against England in the Six Nations as they rallied in the second half and threatened to emulate the Scots as they pulled the score back to within five points to make the final 15 minutes somewhat nerve-wracking.

The opening minutes saw Wadebridge retain most of the possession but they were stunned in the fourth minute when home centre Jason Luff went for the interception and raced from halfway to score under the posts, Ollie Avery-Wright converted for a 7-0 lead.

Having settled into the game, we began to play with some real flair as the backs were looking sharp whenever we had the ball and with Avery-Wright orchestrating from fly-half it was no surprise when on 14 minutes we doubled the lead.

A shortened lineout on the Wadebridge 10-metre line was won and the ball was quickly sent wide with the Lee brothers linking well to put Luff away down the left touchline and his perfectly timed pass inside to full-back Ollie Down took out three defenders.

Down used his pace and clever footwork to race in to score at the posts, Avery-Wright added the extras.

Wadebridge continued to battle away and put pressure on our line all to no avail and in the 24th minute an Avery-Wright penalty increased the lead to 17 points after the visitors were caught offside.

Wadebridge had their moments too and were certainly making life difficult for us at scrum time and their strong running backs created a few problems with some inter-passing that at times was perhaps a little too intricate.

However, on 30 minutes, they kicked a penalty to the corner and the resulting catch and drive was well-defended although another penalty was conceded and a quick tap and go was again held up but the resulting ruck produced a try for hooker Matthew Ballard. Fly-half Danny Thomas landed the conversion.

As half-time approached, we had exposed the visiting defence a couple of times courtesy of the pace of the backs but each time Wadebridge managed to get the cover across to snuff out the threat.

Once again though, we put pressure on their line and through pressure and patience we went through the phases before the ball found its way to the lurking Ben Wonnacott who battled his way over. Avery-Wright converted for an interval lead of 24-7.

Within minutes of the second half, another attack down the left followed by some excellent rucking saw Avery-Wright with a trademark long pass out to the right where Luff managed to get an offload to winger Devon Hosegood, who managed to get the ball down amongst a melee of players, not a straightforward score for the bonus point.

An excellent touchline conversion from Avery-Wright and to all intents and purposes, it was game over…or was it?

Throughout the game, Wadebridge had been very competitive and the score had not accurately reflected their performance and for the next 20 minutes the game was almost turned on its head.

Their mauling game had looked pretty strong and a penalty kicked to the corner brought another catch and drive try for hooker Ballard which was not converted. This was followed by an interception try for winger Dominic Hawkey who picked up a loose Crediton pass on the visitors 10-metre line and raced home unopposed for a try converted by Thomas.

Things got really tense when we botched our own line out five metres out and visiting player coach Mike Rawlings went over and again Thomas converted to reduce the deficit to a mere five points.

Inevitably, the next score would be crucial, we had the bonus point but that would be no good without the win. We seemed to regain our composure having been somewhat rattled by the Wadebridge comeback and when lock Josh Lee made a superb break from half-way to take play to the five-metre mark, before a high tackle prevented his progress.

We opted for a scrum five meters out and after a few resets the ball was sent out to the backs where centre Mark Lee used his strength to shake off a couple of tackles and score, Avery-Wright converted and the relief was clearly visible from the home support.

It was indeed another entertaining high scoring home victory to follow on from the Tiverton game a couple of weeks ago.

The backs have looked so sharp in recent games and have been a joy to watch but of course they cannot do what they do without the forwards doing the hard yards.

Defensively, we have always looked pretty sound although it has to be said that conceding four tries at home could well have given the game a different outcome but of course so long as we score more points than the opposition then it is job done.

The second place finish means we will travel to Midsomer Norton on April 27 to decide who goes up.

The importance of bonus points cannot be over stressed, we actually came second in the league having won more games than any other team and lost fewer, but to go through the season with 21 wins from 26 games is hugely impressive.

Of course, Wellington will rue their lack of knowledge or understanding of the competition regulations as they did incur a five-point deduction which, in the promotion stakes has cost them dearly.

Away from the league, we have the little matter of the Devon Intermediate Cup Final with a trip to Sidmouth tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, kick off 3pm. The players will appreciate your support.

It is appropriate that the winners and runners-up of the league should contest the final and I am sure we can look forward to an interesting game.

The Second Fifteen returned to winning ways with a good victory over Ivybridge Seconds 23-14 whilst the Thirds lost to Tiverton Thirds 19-32.

The Colts enjoyed a tour to Cornwall.

The Under 14s 15-a-side season ended with an appearance in the Devon RFU Cup Final on Sunday, April 14.

The team had overcome Barnstaple, Devonport High School Old Boys and Ivybridge on route to the final where Topsham were the opposition and hosts.

There was a large contingent of travelling support who cheered the boys on and the game was a real tight affair.

With 10 minutes go the scores were tied at 5-5 and it could have gone either way but two late tries for Topsham sealed the win.

While they were disappointed with the result, the Kirton boys can take comfort in the fact that they have had an outstanding season and they should be extremely proud of their achievements.

The side has developed incredibly well over recent seasons and their style of play and conduct, both on and off the pitch, has drawn many compliments from opposition clubs.

Well done boys, you are a credit to Crediton RFC!

Paul Harris