FALMOUTH 22 - CREDITON 22

THE trip to Falmouth on Saturday, October 6 proved less fruitful than the three previous away games due in part to a disappointing performance, one that certainly fell below the standards that had been set in our opening five games.

However, it is impossible for players to be on top form every week and in fairness if someone had said we would have five wins and a draw from our opening six games, I suspect we would have called the men in white coats to take them away.

The real disappointment was our defence, we slid off tackles and probably missed more in one game than the previous five altogether.

The set scrum worked well though and we dominated our hosts throughout albeit there seemed some confusion with the officials’ interpretation of the law on binding as the Falmouth No 8 seemed to break from the scrum early at almost every put in.

The lineout functioned adequately for most of the game but, as the home side got into the game they began to create chances as we simply fell off tackles and all four of their tries were a result of poor defending, our strength of previous weeks suddenly became our weakness in this game.

We opened the scoring on 17 minutes when a period of pressure on their line as we went through several phases, ending with lock Josh Lee going over, brother Mark converting from wide out.

The euphoria lasted about two minutes as the hosts attacked down the left and some neat passing ended with a try in the corner, converted for 7-7.

Falmouth were finding their feet and sensed the fragility of our defence when another attack through their backs ended with a second try in the corner, this time the kick failed to find its mark, this was only the second occasion this season that we found ourselves behind in a game.

With the interval approaching, once again the forwards put pressure on the home line and after several phases, it was hooker Dan Yendell who forced his way over to level the scores.

The second half began with the home side taking control of the game and we were finding difficulty in getting hands on the ball. However, when we did there was an immediate score, a good move down the left ended with centre Devon Hosegood going over in the corner.

The swirling wind had made kicking difficult for both sides and, whereas there was a slight advantage for Falmouth in the first half it had changed sufficiently not to be of help to us in the second.

Falmouth hit back strongly and dominated possession and bagged two unconverted tries to move five points ahead with five minutes remaining.

Once again it was forward pressure that took us close to their line and as we went through the phases, we conceded a penalty giving the hosts an easy exit.

However, we kept up the pressure and it was full-back Jason Luff who broke a couple of tackles and made it to the line taking three tacklers with him.

It took a while but the referee eventually did award the try to bring us level again. The kick at goal was just a couple of metres in from touch and against the swirling wind, and it was a huge effort from Mark Lee which went extremely close but could not add to the score.

The final play was called by the referee and the draw seemed inevitable and yet the home side were gifted a golden opportunity to take the spoils when we conceded a penalty 30 metres out and directly in front of the posts. It was a heart stopping few seconds as their kicker prepared for the kick followed by a huge relief when he missed it.

Two points for the draw and a four-try bonus point was a decent return from probably our worst performance of the season. There was no shortage of effort and the players deserve credit for sticking to the task despite the various frustrations that had crept in during the game.

Although we dropped a place to second in the table, it should be remembered that of the six games played, four have been away from home and we have scored 21 tries in those away games.

Things are looking quite good but there is still a long way to go and we have already gained more than half the total of points that we finished with last season.

With no first team game on Saturday, the league takes a break for a week, the focus will be on the Seconds, Thirds and Colts.

CREDITON QUINS 40 - BRIXHAM 0

So turf beat surf as the Kirton Farmers sent the Brixham Rugby Club Fisherman home with empty nets!

The Seconds have been improving each week and on Saturday put in a performance that was impressive to say the least.

Playing up the slope in the first half and with a favourable wind we kept the ball well and when Brixham had opportunities our line speed in defence forced them into errors.

Brixham were visibly (and audibly) rattled and we began to dominate upfront. The scrum was solid, we were making good ground off rucks and the backs were provided with some great ball to work with.

Two converted first half tries saw us turn around 14-0 up.

Without doubt Brixham felt, with the wind behind them, that they would get back into the game in the second half.

Our boys had other ideas and as the dominance of the home pack increased further, Brixham had no answer.

The power of the Crediton scrum tested the Brixham eight to destruction as they caved in completely.

Several more tries were scored and the game finished with a 40-0 victory. This really was a very good performance and the players should be proud.

Try scorers were Mark Nott and Chris Hooper with two apiece and there was one each for Tom Luxmoor and Rob Leach. Hayden Hill added a good return with the boot, landing five of the six conversions.

CREDITON THIRDS 39 - EXETER ENGINEERS SECONDS 37

The Thirds had a great result at home too, beating Exeter Engineers RFC Seconds. By all accounts we only had one back in the squad so that was a top effort!

In an end-to-end game Crediton managed six tries though from Deyan Tomic, Joe Rees, Richard Grey, Jack Reed, Owen Twigg and Jon Gurzynski with Ashley Bradnock adding four conversions.

SOUTH MOLTON 15 - CREDITON 26

The Colts continued their run of success making it six wins from six games but South Molton made them work hard for their victory.

Will Crang bagged two tries and there was one apiece for Tom Mann and Oscar Broad-Voysey. Josh Woodland landed three conversions.

The win meant that the Colts won the North Devon section of the Colts Cup competition and they will compete in the Colts Shield, the final of which will be played at Sandy Park, Exeter - a great incentive to keep the momentum going.

Fixtures tomorrow, Saturday, October 13: Second Fifteen away at Tiverton Seconds (Friendly); Third Fifteen home v Exeter Athletic Seconds and Colts away at Bideford (Friendly).

Paul Harris