THE girls of Crediton Rugby Club continued to do the town proud last weekend with yet another clean sweep of victories.

The older girls, in the U15 and U18 squads were in action in the RFU’s National Cup, while the U13s travelled North with the U15s to South Molton for their match.

Crediton U18s - With a restricted squad of 19, against a Sidmouth squad of 14, Crediton used their numerical advantage to overcome their South Devon opposition.

The use of rolling subs meant Crediton had the upper-hand of fresh legs to call on but it was the identification of where and how they should counter the strengths of Sidmouth by the players off the pitch that helped the Kirton side enormously.

The advantage of watching from the sidelines then taking that knowledge into the game was a real bonus for the Black and Ambers.

This was however by no means the easy game the score may suggest.

Sidmouth were an aggressive side in the breakdown, clearing out and turning over the ball on occasions, they challenged the rules of hands in the ruck and coming in at the side which the Crediton side seemed to counter. But with the Crediton girls giving more than as good as they got in the other aspects of the game their superior all round abilities shone through.

The girls called on the power of their strong running game, supplemented with some excellent tackling, (from Jaz in particular and try saving tackles from Clara and Emily), and fantastic support play, which lead to a try from Fiona, meant that whilst they had to work hard for it, the Crediton Girls proved too much for their opponents and finished the game worthy 37-15 victors.

Crediton U15s - There was confusion aplenty in the build up to the Crediton U15s Girls second National Cup game with opponents, South Molton, battling to get numbers for the match with Crediton having to lose two of their squad the night before the game.

On arrival, Crediton were greeted with the news that their North Devon opponents could only field a starting 11.

The Crediton Girls, 19 of whom had made the trip North, decided amongst themselves that they would lend South Molton four of their own team so that a 15-a-side game could be played and ensure that everyone would have a full game.

Perhaps frustrated by the pre-match shenanigans, perhaps because they had to lose team-mates, perhaps because they were playing on South Molton’s main pitch in front of a large crowd; Whatever the reason the girls in Black and Amber put on a display of almost complete dominance. In the whole 60 minutes of the game they allowed the South Molton girls only two glimpses of their try line and on both occasions denied them access to the scoring area.

It wasn’t an easy victory though with the teams being evenly matched in the rucks but continued driving runs, support play and off loads set the Kirton girls foundation for the win. It seemed like every time that a Crediton girl was tackled she had support, mostly in twos and threes, to help her out and keep the teams unyielding forward momentum.

With four tries and two conversions the half-time score of 24-0 didn’t flatter Crediton at all and it’s more credit to the girls that the levels of performance didn’t drop in the second half which they won 21-0 with three tries and three conversions for a final score of 45-0, the result ensuring that they will be in the next phase of the competition.

The Crediton girls showed variety in their approach, grit and steel when it was required, guile and flair whenever the opportunity was there to use it and they thoroughly deserved both the score that they ran up and the clean sheet earned by keeping their opponents at bay.

Crediton U13s - As the Crediton girls lined up against their hosts, it was clear to the coaches that it was going to be a different test. And so it proved as South Molton scored three unanswered tries to open their account, using their power and size to good effect.

With half-time approaching a penalty was awarded to Crediton five metres from the try line. With a quick pass the Crediton youngsters drove forward and over the line to get themselves on the scoreboard. This was just the tonic the Black and Ambers needed as the half-time whistle blew. ?The coaches had their work cut out and the half-time brief consisted of; improving rucking, run straight and hard, kick and chase if the opportunity arises, and as always pass it out wide.

And the briefing paid dividends.

The Kirton Girls, from the start of the half to the end of the game, did just as they were asked. The new found belief in their rucking proved an awesome weapon, they carried the ball at their North Devon opposition hard and fast and topped off their display with superb passing. ?The Captain for the day was Lucy, who led by example with some exemplary body positions at the ruck. Due to the nature of the come back and the teamwork involved, picking a player of the day was impossible as it really was a total team effort today.?Final score South Molton 25 - Crediton 35.