BURNHAM ON SEA 17 - CREDITON 13

HAVING put 36 points on Burnham at home back in November, hopes were high of getting some sort of result in the return game.

However, the seasiders have a much better home record and have enjoyed good wins against both the University and Cullompton this season and so getting any reward for our efforts would be hard come by.

The reality is that we were in fact within a hairs breadth of gaining a victory which at times looked highly unlikely.

With the wind at our backs in the first half, we struggled to gain any possession, the home-scrum had the better of things and we spent much of the time going backwards.

The wind made life difficult for the lineout to function properly affecting both sides. However, our defence was outstanding and the coaching input in recent weeks from Premiership players Sam Hill and Ali Hepburn has been of huge benefit in that area.

Against the run of play, we found ourselves 3-0 up after nine minutes with a Mark Lee penalty as Burnham were caught offside on their “22”.

The hosts always looked threatening with ball in hand and with so much possession it was a combination of superb defending and their own errors that prevented them from scoring.

Nonetheless, the try did come after 18 minutes when Burnham went through several phases close to our line and we were eventually caught out on the blind side for their winger to go over in the corner.

Within a minute we were ahead once again as another foray into the home “22” Burnham were penalised for not releasing the ball at the tackle and Lee popped over the penalty for a 6-5 lead.

The game continued with the hosts dominating proceedings although we did begin to make ground into their “22” with a little more regularity but just as things looked to be improving for us, Burnham scored again, their pacey winger making ground down the right and scoring in the corner.

Full-back Gareth Mason proved our saviour with a superb tackle out wide saved what looked like a certain score in the corner.

On reflection, it was probably something of a surprise that we were only four points adrift at the interval given the amount of possession that Burnham had enjoyed.

The second half saw us up our game and suddenly we looked the likely side to score and for the best part of 25 minutes we dominated proceedings and this time it was the oppositions turn to defend. Winger Jason Luff made a fine break up the middle and was tackled 10 metres out.

We retained possession from the ruck and set up a maul from which flanker Jake Clarke peeled off and went in under the posts, Lee converted for a 13-10 lead.

We almost scored again when a powerful run from Ben Wonnacott was brought to a halt with some desperate tackling just short of the line.

With our tails up, a penalty was kicked to the corner to set up a catch and drive opportunity. Unfortunately we took a wrong option and threw long, the wind carried the ball off course and we surrendered possession.

A throw to the front of the lineout, whilst not guaranteeing a try, would certainly have proved more accurate given the strength of the wind. The opportunity was lost and Burnham cleared up field.

Once again it was our turn to defend which we did admirably but the game turned on a somewhat controversial incident. With time ticking away, indeed we were in injury time, we were penalised for a deliberate knock on, a decision which seemed particularly harsh as the ball came off a Crediton player in the tackle.

The referee, who had had a good game, decided that we had deliberately knocked on. Burnham kicked to the corner and won the lineout although we were penalised.

This time the home side went for a scrum and again we were penalised at the scrum, that was repeated and finally the referee awarded a penalty try in what was the last play of the game.

It transpired that the penalty try was awarded when, with the ball a few inches short of the line, we dived in to touch it down a bit too early.

It was a bitter pill to swallow bearing in mind how well we had played, especially in the second half and to suffer defeat in such a way.

Granted the penalty try was probably a correct decision but we did feel aggrieved with the decision that allowed them to get into that position in the first place.

CREDITON SECONDS 22 - IVYBRIDGE 24

The ‘Quins entertained Ivybridge Seconds at Blagdon in the hope of completing the double over their visitors in Devon Merit Table One.

The first quarter was something of a stalemate with neither side being able to create any clear cut scoring opportunities.

Crediton, however, were beginning to get the upper-hand dominating territory and possession and after 25 minutes were rewarded when, following a sustained period of pressure in the Ivybridge “22” a scrum was won and the pack drove the Ivybridge eight over their line for Sam Rowe to get the touch down. Tom Ronchetti added the extras.

Ivybridge responded immediately and within five minutes they had levelled the score. A lack of concentration by the Crediton defence allowed the visitors to break their defensive line and the Ivybridge player raced in from the half-way line to score under the posts for a converted try.

Right on half-time Ivybridge took the lead and once again it was through sloppy defending by the Crediton side where several missed tackles allowed the Ivybridge player to force his way over for an unconverted try to give Ivybridge a 12-7 interval lead.

The ‘Quins were immediately on the offensive at the start of the second half but the Ivybridge defence was strong and well-organised.

On 55 minutes however, Crediton levelled the score when good control close to the Ivybridge line created several strong phases of play before Sam Rowe forced his way over in the corner for his second try, with the conversion being missed.

Things got even better for the ‘Quins when they took the lead on 65 minutes. A deft kick into space by Colts player Josh Davey was chased down by Sam Shakespeare who kicked the ball on and then won the footrace to get the touchdown for an unconverted try.

Ivybridge fought back and once again it was a Crediton error which got them back in the game. Crediton lost their own line five metres off their try line and Ivybridge took full advantage to force their way over for a converted try.

Ivybridge then went further into the lead. Winning a five metre scrum their No 8 picked up and broke down the blind side to force his way over the Crediton line to score an unconverted try.

Crediton responded strongly and getting good field position in the Ivybridge 22 metres area they won good line-out ball to set up a good driving maul and Dave Rich was on-hand to get the final touch down for an unconverted try.

Right on full-time Crediton were awarded a penalty which Tom Ronchetti hit well and with the ball looking to go straight between the posts a sudden gust of wind got up which carried the ball just wide of the posts to deny Crediton a win, with the final score being 22-24 to Ivybridge.

A frustrating game as the Crediton team played some good rugby and scored some good tries, but unfortunately lack of concentration at key times and simple errors kept Ivybridge in the game.

On the positive side Colts players Deyan Tomic, Rob Guthrie, Josh Davey, Josh Goldman and Matt Pearce all had decent game time and performed well at an obvious higher level than they are used to which augers well for the future.

The Third Fifteen also included a number of Colts for the trip to Teignmouth Seconds. The 0-70 scoreline does not reflect the effort and commitment put in by the players.

Teignmouth are a very strong side and it was certainly a baptism of fire for the Colts players but they all performed extremely well and heads never dropped.

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 11, Crediton Former Players will be sponsoring the game against promotion chasing Truro.

The ‘Quins have a tough game at Barnstaple whilst the Thirds are at home against Honiton Seconds. The Colts travel to Kingsbridge for their final game in the Cup Competition.

Paul Harris