Crediton 26 - Teignmouth 15

CREDITON RFC made it nine wins from nine games, but this was by far the toughest test of the season to date.

Teigns have made rapid strides during the past four games having lost their opening five and Crediton were never really comfortably ahead.

Certainly, the late withdrawal of scrum-half Ed Brady through illness created a bit of a reshuffle in the backs, which disrupted things slightly but in general Teignmouth proved to be a tough nut to crack.

The opening 15 minutes were indeed dominated by the visitors both in terms of possession and territory, but despite some promising attacks, they failed to break through.

It was against the run of play when Crediton took the lead, an attack down the right and new signing Josh Hall cut inside to score under the posts for a debut try. Ollie Avery-Wright converted.

Teigns continued to control territory and on 25 minutes were rewarded with a penalty as Crediton were caught offside in front of their posts for an easy three points.

With half-time approaching, two tries in two minutes narrowed the gap.

Firstly, an excellent break down the right by fullback Josh Davey followed by some good interplay ended with hooker Dan Yendell, who was playing his 101st game in the First XV, touching down in the corner.

Within a minute, Teigns kicked a penalty to the corner and the resulting lineout catch and drive saw them over for a converted try to leave Crediton ahead at the interval 12-10.

Things looked much better with an early second half try when Crediton stole a Teigns lineout five metres from their line.

Dan Lee broke clear before offloading to flanker Ben Wonnacott who dashed over to celebrate his 200th first team game with a try, Ollie Avery-Wright added the extras to put Crediton two scores clear.

The game continued pretty evenly with both sides looking threatening but defences were looking secure and kept scoring opportunities to a minimum.

On 65 minutes came the try of the match when, from a scrum, Crediton spread the ball wide and centre Ollie Clark outpaced the covering defenders to score and this at a time when Crediton were reduced to 14 players after hooker, Dan Yendell was yellow carded for a minor indiscretion.

Ollie Avery-Wright added the extras to ensure that Teigns would need three scores to win. However, they did have the final word with another try late on, which was not converted.

Another bonus point win to keep the Crediton team at the top with St Austell hot on their heels, and where Crediton shall visit on Saturday, November 12.

It was certainly a tough game and Teignmouth deserve credit for their performance, I don’t imagine they will lose many more games this season.

It was a test of their character too, and the players came through with a victory where they didn’t have things all their own way. This will give confidence for the trip to Cornwall on Saturday, November 12.

Congratulations to Dan Yendell who made his 100th First XV appearance the previous week at Sherborne and of course to Ben Wonnacott on his 200th against Teignmouth.

It was also a nice way to welcome new signing Josh Hall into the Club and for him to grab a debut try to get the scoreboard moving.

In addition, it was really good to see Ollie Down in his first game back in club colours having recovered from injury after returning from Taunton.

Crediton Quins 18 - Okehampton II 12

A somewhat flat opening quarter as both sides struggled to find any rhythm although it was Okehampton who got off the mark first with an unconverted try but much of the play took place in midfield with neither side particularly threatening. However, once Crediton got into their “22” it was flanker Sam Rowe who broke through a couple of tackles to level the scores.

Crediton set scrum dominance from the restart and took play to their line and forced a five metre scrum which saw Chris Hooper get over to give Crediton the lead, Tom Ronchetti added the extras.

In the second half, defences continued to be on top and penalties began to flow with Rob Leach eventually getting a yellow card when his hands accidentally played the ball at a ruck, well he took one for the team!

Okey continued to press and they levelled things up with an unconverted try.

The game was forced to go to non-contested scrums when Okey lost their hooker through injury and they had no replacement. That naturally negated Crediton’s strength in the scrum. However, a couple of Tom Ronchetti penalties late on secured a hard earned win.

It was a really good game and Okehampton deserve praise as they turned up with no replacements and of course they are never a side to give up.

That said Crediton deserved the win which keeps them in touch with league leaders OPM whom they meet at home on Saturday, November 12.

Ilfracombe 7 - Crediton Thirds 17

The Third XV were determined not to be outshone by the First and Second XV as they gained a tremendous victory away at Ilfracombe.

It was only back in April that Crediton had been defeated 54-0 there, so yet another remarkable turnaround was completed.

In what is probably the longest trip for the Thirds and certainly the highest altitude, the dismal weather did not dampen the spirits of the squad.

The home side had the benefit of the slope in the first half and came out all guns blazing and ran at Crediton, but such were the defensive qualities of the side who tackled like their lives depended on it.

Crediton were made to struggle in the scrum but certainly at the lineout they met their match in James Timms who had a great game on his return from injury and snaffled many of their throws.

The solitary score of the half was a well worked try for Ilfracombe when on this occasion, their quick hands got the ball out wide for a converted score in the corner.

Confidence in the camp was high and the general feeling was that the game was there for the taking as Crediton had the slope advantage.

The pack was reshuffled and Crediton began to dominate the scrum and as they drove the scrum back, it was flanker Travis Baker who picked up at the base of the scrum and forced his way over for his first ever senior try, Elliott White landed the conversion to level the scores.

The pressure Crediton was applying forced the home side into conceding a succession of penalties eventually earning themselves a yellow card.

White landed a penalty and Crediton were three points ahead.

Ilfracombe then staged something of a comeback and as they moved the ball through the hands a try looked almost certain, but flanker Ashley Bradnock intercepted and went almost the length of the pitch before being tackled.

However, he managed to offload to fly-half Aiden White, who in turn found newcomer Sam Anderson to finish the job off, which allowed brother Elliott a simple conversion.

Chris Baker suffered an injury and the squad wish him a speedy recovery. Grateful thanks to the referee for making the trip and ensuring 40 or so players could enjoy a game of rugby.

Saturday, November 12 is what may be termed Super Saturday as the First XV travel to second placed St Austell in the top of the table clash.

The Quins entertain unbeaten league leaders OPM First XV in a third v first battle, the Third XV host Merit Table leaders Barnstaple Thirds and the Colts travel to Newton Abbot in the first of the Cup games.

Big games for all teams and for supporters - it is not an easy decision as to which game to watch.

Paul Harris