Devon Second XV Cup

Cullompton Seconds 22 - Crediton Seconds 36

A WEEKEND away from league rugby and a day off for the Firsts.

For the Seconds though whilst it was not business as usual, there was the matter of a Cup game at Cullompton against their Seconds.

This was always going to be a tough battle, Cully have also won their opening three league games and to predict the outcome would not have been easy.

Given the additional fact that we had a number of players not available, the potential difficulties mounted. Certainly for the opening 15 minutes things looked positively gloomy as the home side raced into a 12 point lead and looked to be heading for a comfortable victory.

However, this squad of players are not a group to simply cave in and they rallied brilliantly.

As the pace was picked up, so the tries began to come, Skipper and No 8 Chris Hooper bagged a hat-trick and there was one apiece for Macca Jones, Josh Atkinson and Ben Rodd with Owen Cooper landing three conversions.

An excellent all round performance and, as coincidences will happen, we have to go back to Cullompton on Saturday for a repeat performance in the league, let us hope for a similar outcome.

Crediton Colts 19 - 24 Bideford Colts

As the only game at home, the Colts played on the main pitch in front of a decent crowd who were treated to a cracking game between two evenly matched sides.

For the fourth game running there was only a single score separating victory from defeat but unfortunately on this occasion, Crediton fell just short.

Bideford started the game strongly, using their big forwards to good effect. Within five minutes they were 0-7 ahead and it looked like Crediton might be in for a long afternoon.

The Crediton lads aren’t ones to give up easily and after this early setback started to find their way into the game.

For a period, Crediton were able to control territory and possession, keeping the ball away from the strong runners of Bideford.

With a quarter of an hour gone, after some pressure on their line, skipper for the day, Brady May, powered over. Tom Cooper added the extras and it was 7-7.

Crediton continued to have the edge, just about, but a couple of penalties gave the visitors easy exits and they were able to advance into Crediton’s territory.

A quickly taken penalty caught Crediton off guard and a converted try put the team behind again, 7-14.

The game continued at quite a pace, with both sides looking to play an open game.

As half time approached, a tap penalty five metres out gave Charlie Clark the opportunity to barge his way over the line to make it 14-14 at the break.

The second half continued much the same as the first.

Bideford scored on 10 minutes to take the lead again before Crediton responded on 20 minutes with a superbly taken try from centre, Tariq Sayers. Neither score was converted and it was 19-19.

It was another game that could go either way and with time running out Crediton put themselves under pressure by giving away a series of penalties (a consistent theme from recent weeks) and Bideford were able to cross for another unconverted score.

Crediton thought there would be time for one final push but as the conversion sailed wide, the referee blew for full time with the final score at

19-24.

Despite the result, there were so many positives to take from the game.

Eleven of the starting 15 were first year Colts and there were some big performances from several players.

It’s back to cup action next week when Crediton play their final group game of the first phase of the competition against Exeter Saracens at Blagdon.

On Saturday, October 15 the First XV resume league business and travel to Newton Abbot, the Seconds also have a league game when they return to Cullompton for the second successive Saturday.

The Thirds travel to Bideford for a Merit Table fixture and the Colts entertain Exeter Saracens Colts in a Cup fixture.

Jay Harris