CREDITON 14 - ST IVES 28

NOT for the first time this season we have come up against a side that had moved to the top of the table the previous week and with player unavailability through a combination of injury and other reasons, we were forced to field an inexperienced team as we dug deep into the Second Fifteen for players.

St Ives arrived with several players with Cornwall County experience and were probably the best part of a stone per man heavier.

However, the Crediton players were by no means overawed by the occasion and certainly not outplayed. In the scrum, where it looked as though the visitors would have a huge weight advantage, we coped admirably and didn’t give an inch.

When asked to defend we were up to the challenge and for half-an-hour the scoreboard was redundant. When it did come into action it was our side of it that showed seven points.

They came from a superbly worked try from nothing when the visitors were turned over in our half and centre Devon Hosegood opted for a break up the short side which caught the visitors cold.

Tremendous support from winger Andrew Smerdon and scrum-half Ed Brady took play up the touchline and some smart handling back and forth between the two ended with Brady going over for, what was generally agreed, the try of the season, a view even held by the visiting support.

Hosegood landed the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

We continued to show some neat touches in attack and continued to take the game to St Ives, with fly-half Josh Davey putting in some excellent kicks when needed in order to relieve pressure.

The visitors levelled the score when a chip over the top of their defence was gathered by their centre who broke clear before putting the winger in for a try, which was converted.

St Ives then began to gain some control but their second try came from an interception and this time it was the other winger that raced clear for a converted try.

Right on half-time, they bagged their third score when, having kicked a penalty to the corner, they won their lineout and after a couple of phases their flanker was over, the try again converted.

At 21-7 down, things were looking ominous and when the visitors bagged the bonus point try early in the second half, it looked as though they would run away with the game.

However, the spirit in the Crediton side cannot be overstated and for a while we were unable to get much possession, the visitors could not make much headway either.

The defence was outstanding and we gradually worked our way back into the game and posed a few questions to the St Ives defence and they began to concede a few penalties.

We did kick to the corner but were unable to drive over their line. With minutes left, we got the score that we had deserved and again it was some superb passing along the left touchline, a break by Smerdon and a pass inside to Hosegood who went over and converted himself.

No bonus point forthcoming from this result but enormous pride in the performances of so many players with little previous first team experience.

Make no mistake this was a powerful St Ives team with players who last season were playing in the Championship for the Pirates and who have put some huge scores on other teams this season.

No-one likes to lose but certainly on this performance there are reasons to be cheerful.

IVYBRIDGE SECONDS 29 - CREDITON SECONDS 14

Having lost so many players to the First Fifteen, the ‘Quins were forced to draw from the Third Fifteen to make the daunting trip to Ivybridge for this Devon Merit Table fixture.

Although second from top in the Merit Table, Ivybridge are far and away the highest scorers in the competition and have rattled up scores in the 60s and 70s this season.

Once again though the Kirton spirit shone through and the players earned a well-deserved bonus point.

Lock Richard Gray grabbed the try and fly-half Tom Ronchetti kicked three penalties.

The Third Fifteen, despite the number of calls on their squad still put a team out but unfortunately the game against Wessex Seconds had to be abandoned due to a serious leg injury to Crediton’s Jack Martin.

Hopefully Jack will be on the mend and although not a break as first feared, he will still be out for quite a while and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Pete Vallance scored the try in a shortened 5-5 draw.

The Colts struggled at Barnstaple and yet another injury, this time a broken jaw for Conrad Saunders, marred the game.

Although defeated by a strong Barnstaple side, heads never dropped and no doubt they will bounce back.

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 9, the First Fifteen travel to near neighbours Tiverton and whilst it is too early to call this a “must win” game, both sides will be desperate for the victory.

We are level on points just above the relegation places which should add a bit of spice to the local derby.

The ‘Quins entertain Tiverton Seconds at Blagdon whilst the Colts have a home game against Tavistock.

The Third Fifteen are having a day off.

Paul Harris