Crediton 6 - Keynsham 21

February 12

ANOTHER disappointing result from a game where we had plenty of possession and for long periods dominated territory but failed to capitalise by taking our chances.

Keynsham on the other hand took their chances and at the same time defended really well.

They were ahead very early with a try when their No8 broke off a maul before shifting a pass outside for a score wide out, the conversion was successful to put them ahead by seven points.

From then on, the game was fairly evenly balanced and we did pose threats without being able to take full advantage. Josh Woodland looked dangerous whenever he received the ball but Keynsham managed to close him down before he had got close to their line.

A couple of penalties from Ollie Avery-Wright, the second from well within our own half, reduced the lead to a single point by half-time.

The second half saw the wind advantage with the visitors and they too had pace on the wings and a couple of tries from long distance secured their victory.

They did go in search of a bonus point try but we did manage to keep them out.

Centre Ollie Clark was red carded after a minor scuffle between the players although it was not really that sort of game. Had the entire fracas been spotted by the referee then other protagonists in the fracas might also have been dealt a similar card.

Over all, it would be harsh to say we played badly, and certain aspects of our game have improved over the past few weeks, most notably the lineout where we secured all of our own ball and nicked a couple of theirs.

The line speed of the Keynsham defence caused problems for us which we did not really overcome.

Paignton Seconds 12 - Crediton Quins 34

The Quins returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory at Paignton to complete a double and maintain our position of fourth in the Merit Table.

The pack proved too powerful for the home side and laid the foundation for the five try victory.

This was a good result for the Quins as Paignton had shown a resurgence of form in their last couple of games.

Chris Hooper led the try scoring from No8 with a brace and there was one apiece from scrum Half Joe Dodge, flankers Josh Atkinson and Sam Rowe.

Crediton Thirds 14 - Bude Seconds 33

The Third XV started the week with no game as their scheduled opponents were unable to raise a team.

However, Bude Second XV were looking for a fixture and were happy to travel.

The Kirton Thirds are a bunch of players who, irrespective of their opponents, are never ones to shirk a challenge.

The North Cornwall side have had a pretty successful season in the Cornwall competitions and certainly proved a little too good for us on the day.

That said, the 26-0 interval lead with the advantage of the slope was not insurmountable. With no game for the Colts, Exmouth being unable to raise a team, two of them came off the bench for the thirds.

Fullback Freddie Borthen and Ben Gillard both took advantage of their time on the pitch and showed up extremely well, Borthen capping a fine display with a try.

Another newcomer to the club, Lee Irvine scored the first try and Hayden Hill converted both. It was another good performance all round against good quality opposition.

On Saturday, the Seconds entertain Okehampton and the Thirds travel to Honiton. The Colts have a game against Wellington School.

Paul Harris