September 3

Truro 18 - Crediton 22

IT was the day that all rugby followers have been waiting for, would the dry weather create problems with pitches or could we just get on with it as normal.

In most instances of course it was the latter and we could not have got the new season off to a better start, three sides playing and three wins recorded and the last time all teams won on the opening day was in 2003-04, although in 2008-09, two wins from two games was recorded.

Throughout pre season, we have felt that we had a First XV that would compete with anyone in the league, Truro had recruited well during the Summer and would be the perfect opening test. Needless to say we passed with flying colours.

The wet conditions certainly did not deter either side from playing some positive rugby and we started particularly well opening the scoring with only four minutes on the clock.

We won our lineout and a quick ball was moved out wide and Devon Hosegood cut a good line, breaking the home defence before putting centre Kev Dennis in for a try, the conversion drifted wide.

Truro came back strongly and after 13 minutes they were ahead when from a quickly taken tap penalty they moved the ball wide and an inside pass allowed them in for a converted try.

The scoring seemed to keep pace with the speed of the game as within four minutes we were back in the lead when Josh Woodland fielded a drop out wide out on his wing and he carried the ball strongly back deep into the Truro half beating several defenders, and then putting Ben Wonnacott, who was up in support, over for a try, with Ollie Avery Wright adding the extras.

The hosts then reduced the arrears with a penalty on 28 minutes and we reached the interval with a 12-10 advantage.

We seemed to be incurring the wrath of the referee especially at the breakdown and within nine minutes of the second half, Truro were ahead with a penalty.

We began to exert pressure on the home defence which itself was in good form and proved difficult to break down.

However, on 62 minutes we managed the breakthrough that we deserved.

We went through multiple phases inside the home “22” and it was Ross Toms who cut a good angle to go in at the posts, Avery-Wright landing the extras for a 19-13 lead.

It was a lead that was soon reduced to a single point when the Truro forwards were camped just metres off our line and after several “pick and go’s” managed to force their way over for an unconverted try.

With time running out, it was Avery-Wright who had the final say with a smartly taken drop goal after a series of good phase plays, leaving us as winners by 22-18.

This was a quality display from the First XV and one which we hope will be repeated as the season progresses. Truro are a good side and proved hard to beat and the general feeling was that not many sides will go there and win.

For the neutral, it was a really entertaining game despite the conditions.

Crediton Seconds 59 - OPM 12

Another hugely impressive performance from the Second XV which will send a warning to other Clubs in the league that we will certainly be a difficult side to beat.

However, this was not a league fixture but a much needed friendly as both sides prepare for the rigours of league rugby that lie ahead.

The visitors arrived with a shortage of front row forwards and it was Kevin Ellis and Phil Holmes who generously agreed to play half a game each for OPMs.

Hooker Jack Ballett was the first on the scoresheet when he went over after some good power play from the forwards, Tom Ronchetti converted for a 7-0 lead with just seven minutes gone.

The Quins were looking very sharp with flanker Sam Rowe very prominent with some strong running, one of which opened the door for a quick threequarter move finished off by winger Ethan Power, Ronchetti converting.

Seven seemed to be the optimum number for the day as we scored a try every seven minutes during the first half.

Next to score was the lively scrum half Fenton Davies (on 21 minutes!) who was in support and dashed over, Ronchetti adding the extras. On 35 minutes it was Ballett again this time burrowing over from a driving maul, Ronchetti finishing off with another conversion.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, yes 35 minutes into the game, good lineout possession set up an attack through the middle and a tremendous offload to Davies, who went over for his second, Ronchetti making it another seven pointer.

The half finished with a flourish as Power lived up to his name, going past defenders for a try which, for the first time, was not converted.

If this gives the impression that OPMs were not in the game, then that is not strictly the case, they did have moments but stubborn defending kept them at bay until the last moments of the half when they scored a well worked try down the right, the conversion failed but within moments they were back again this time with a try almost under the posts which was converted to leave us 40-12 up at the interval.

Having enjoyed the benefit of the wind in the first half, we now had to battle against it in the second and it was a much more evenly contested half.

The OPM fly half put in some long touch finders to keep us pegged back but it was not long before Ballett completed his hat-trick with Ronchetti converting.

Prop Joe Rees then forced his way over, Ronchetti adding the two points and finally skipper Chris Hooper got in on the act with his first of the season, Ronchetti missed the conversion but kicking into the strong wind was always difficult.

Of course, it would be easy to get carried away with this performance but OPM who are in our league will be a much stronger outfit when those league games come along. That said, it will take a good side to get the better of the Quins and I have no doubt we shall give opponents plenty to think about as the season progresses.

Crediton Thirds 21 - Exmouth Third 17

If the world of rugby was in a state of surprise over the gradual, if somewhat temporary, demise of the All Blacks after their recent losses then the shock that is reverberating around Devon with this victory makes those Kiwi defeats pale into insignificance.

The last five games against Exmouth Thirds have produced five defeats with a 40-257 points ratio.

Add to that the Cockles Thirds were last season’s MT2NE Champions and we finished at the bottom and you will understand the reason for the surprise victory.

Rest assured, this was no fluke, this was a victory built on a solid platform based on complete dominance in the scrum, forcing Exmouth to engage reverse gear on numerous occasions.

Lineouts were also a good source of first phase possession and Brad Baker and Jamie Acton were the kingpins of the backs both in defence and attack with some deft handy work amongst the threequarters that would have impressed any coach.

The brothers White, Elliott at scrum half and Aiden at fly half, were a formidable half back pairing with Elliott bagging a brace of tries and three conversions, Acton added the third try.

With the advantage of the slope in the first half, we changed over 14-3 ahead and often that would not be a big enough lead to defend. Certainly, the Cockles responded and they won the second half 14-7 and it was down to some superb defending that it got no closer than that.

Well done the Third XV. They have already put a marker down for the newly introduced  Merit Table Team of the Month.

On Saturday, the First XV are up against more Cornish opposition when we entertain Wadebridge Camels.

The Second XV have no game and the Third XV entertain New Cross, whilst the Colts travel to Ivybridge.

Paul Harris