CREDITON 24 - ST AUSTELL 17

ST AUSTELL’S promotion ambitions were severely dented on Saturday, March 17 whilst our survival hopes were certainly raised with this result.

However, with all the other results on the day, the situation in the battle to avoid the drop has become increasingly tense with a mere six points separating seven clubs and with four games left we are all scrapping for our lives!

It was important that we built on the performance that earned a valuable two points at Sidmouth the previous week and the players certainly did not disappoint in a game that was as tight as the league itself and, although we were never behind, neither were we sufficiently ahead to feel comfortable.

We did have the benefit of a strong breeze for the first half and a penalty for failing to release at the tackle allowed centre Oli Down to get the scoreboard moving in the third minute.

Another penalty inside our half produced a superb kick to the corner from full-back Jason Luff and the resulting catch and drive off the lineout ended with lock Josh Lee touching down. Down added the conversion and when he added a second penalty we were 13 points ahead in the opening 20 minutes.

Indeed, it could have been even more as a couple of chances came our way but eventually stopped by some last ditch defending.

Winger Bobby Jenkin caused a few problems with his pace as the back line was looking sharp. St Austell had looked dangerous on occasions but our defence was in no mood to give any ground.

However, on the half-hour they did reduce the arrears with a try and conversion leaving us 13-7 ahead at the interval.

The Saints had all the early pressure in the second half but were unable to find a way through and on 55 minutes Down increased the lead with another penalty to put us two scores clear.

A St Austell penalty found touch inside our “22” and we were caught napping by a cheeky throw to the front man whose pass back to the thrower gave him a clear run down the right for a simple score, the conversion failed.

Down landed a further penalty to give a bit of breathing space but we knew a converted try would bring the scores level and on 70 minutes the visitors reduced the arrears with a try wide out but again the conversion failed to find its mark.

The score gave them the boost that they needed as they went in search of a bonus point victory. However, an infringement allowed us to relieve the pressure and another superb clearance kick from Luff took play well into the Saints “22”.

The driving maul off the lineout was held up over the line and there followed three five-metre scrums as we got over the line but could not ground the ball.

The fourth scrum saw the ball out wide left where Luff picked his way through the defence to score the vital try which sealed the victory.

Without doubt this was a well-deserved victory against a side battling for the promotion play off spot. Once again the defence was outstanding but when we attacked we did look dangerous.

So far as the scrum was concerned, the early signs were not as promising as the first couple of scrums as we were forced backwards.

However, once things had settled, it became an even contest. The lineouts worked extremely well despite the strong breeze and hooker Dan Yendall found his mark with almost pinpoint accuracy.

With only four games remaining, three of which are against clubs in the same situation as ourselves, the battles ahead will undoubtedly provide excitement for all and disappointment for some but having taken six points off two of the in-form sides in the past two games, there is every reason to believe that we can gain sufficient points to keep out of the relegation places.

For the record, two clubs are relegated. Firstly, the team with the highest number of wins will be placed higher, if that is equal then the team with the highest number of draws will be placed higher and if that is also equal then it does get a bit complicated!

The regulation is a bit contradictory as on the one hand it says the next criteria will be points scored but later refers to points difference! However, I don’t anticipate that will be an issue that should concern us.

CREDITON SECONDS 48 - BATH SARACENS 0

The ‘Quins proved too strong for the touring Bath Saracens who nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed the game and the hospitality provided by CRFC.

The ‘Quins gave opportunities to one or two Colts who did not disappoint, with first year Colt Josh Woodland touching down twice and landing four conversions.

Flanker Dan Vanstone bagged a try hat-trick and former Colt Wayne Reed also scored twice with Andrew Smerdon making up the list of scorers.

CREDITON THIRDS 17 - SOUTH MOLTON SECONDS 7

These two sides produced a tremendous game of rugby in the battle for points in Devon Merit Table Two.

The thirds came out on top with tries from Jack Reed, Josh Woodland and Maca Jones. Woodland landed a conversion.

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 24 the First Fifteen have the crunch game with Paignton where a victory should at least bring us level on points or possibly overtake them depending on whether bonus points are earned by either team.

The game is sponsored by the CRFC Former Players.

The ‘Quins travel to Paignton for a Merit Table game and the Colts have a home friendly with Okehampton.

Paul Harris

• See more pictures in today’s Crediton Courier.