CREDITON 17 - KEYNSHAM 8

CREDITON First Fifteen players knew the only way to bounce back from the hefty defeat at Hornets was to record a victory of some sort over visiting Keynsham on Saturday, November 16.

The objective was achieved and whilst it may not have been pretty the players showed plenty of grit and determination to overcome a resilient Keynsham side in a game where defences dominated and scoring opportunities were few and far between.

The opening quarter was a pretty even contest although we did dominate up front as the visiting pack creaked and almost buckled every time the two sets of forwards came together at scrum time.

However, at the lineout, we did struggle and on occasions lost good attacking positions when we failed to win our own ball.

Keynsham actually took the lead on 18 minutes with a penalty from fly-half Olly Coneybeare as we encroached offside at a ruck and that is how the score remained until four minutes from the interval.

Both sides tried as best they could to create something but with defences on top of the game became something of a stalemate. However, as the interval approached, Ollie Avery-Wright popped over a couple of penalties as the frailties of the Keynsham scrum were exposed yet again.

A 6-3 interval lead was probably a fair reflection of the first half.

The visitors came out of the traps in determined mood and for 10 minutes or so threw everything at us and were eventually rewarded with the first try of the game when winger Marlon Dorsett squeezed over in the corner, the conversion failed but they had a lead of two points.

We then began to get a foothold in the game again and forced a couple of penalties which were kicked deep into their ‘22’ but sadly the lineout failed to function properly and the opportunities were lost.

The game entered the final quarter and from out of nowhere, scrum-half Ed Brady conjured a try from nothing as he dashed 40 metres up the left touchline without a defender able to catch him, the touchline conversion drifted wide but we were back in the lead.

Brady then became the saviour when an interception saw the Keynsham winger race away from their ‘22’ and looked certain to score until Brady made ground and brought him down and into touch.

That was the signal for an all out offensive and we camped in the Keynsham ‘22’. Their defence were forced to concede a few penalties and, as the referee played advantage, Ollie Avery-Wright knock over a drop goal on 72 minutes and three minutes later slotted a penalty to make the game safe.

Not the best game that we have seen this season but ultimately it was the result that mattered and it has to be said that two moments of brilliance from Ed Brady ensured we gained the four points and deprived Keynsham of a bonus point.

TEIGNMOUTH 2NDS 22 - CREDITON 2NDS 14

The ‘Quins battled hard at Teignmouth in the Devon Merit Table One game and on the balance of play probably should have won. Unfortunately, we were unable to take the chances that came our way.

Dan Yendell and Maca Jones grabbed a try apiece with Tom Ronchetti landing a couple of conversions.

CREDITON 3RDS 5 - EXETER ATHLETIC 2NDS 28

Somewhat disappointingly, the visitors arrived without a front row and the game was forced to start with non-contested scrums and this immediately negated any advantage that we would have had in the forwards.

The youthful Exeter backs were able to make use of easy possession to take the game by a considerable margin. Newcomer Chris Hearn scored our try.

TORQUAY COLTS 28 - CREDITON COLTS 24

An entertaining and evenly matched game saw the home side come out on top by four points. Each side scored four tries but Torquay managed to convert all of theirs.

Liam Bayley bagged a couple of tries for the second week running and there was one apiece for Tobias Whittaker and Cameron Storey. Ryan Styles converted two.

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 23, the First team travel to Lydney, the first time that we have ever played the Gloucester side. The Seconds travel to Barnstaple for a Devon Merit Table One fixture and the Thirds visit Topsham in a Devon Merit Table Two NE game. The Colts host Wthycombe.

Paul Harris