Crediton 29 v Wadebridge 17

FOR the second successive week, Crediton Rugby Club took on Cornish opposition and, like a good strawberry jam, came out on top!

Wadebridge were promoted last season with 26 wins from 26 games and actually only dropped two points all season and indeed, had not lost in the league since March 2021.

Of course, records like that are there to be broken and this was Crediton’s time to do just that. The early pressure paid off after just four minutes and a defensive scrum a few metres off the Wadebridge line, Crediton set the tone for much of the game by winning their put in and scrum half Ed Brady was quick to dash over for the opening score.

Crediton began playing some attractive rugby but in fairness to the visitors, they defended pretty well, but eventually the deadlock was broken on the half hour when Crediton opted for a scrum after Wadebridge were penalised. The ball was spread wide to winger Andy Wright who had come on as replacement for Devon Hosegood, who sustained a leg injury.

Wright broke a couple of tackles to score, Ollie Avery-Wright landed the extras for a 12-0 lead.

The visitors showed that they would not simply be rolled over and within two minutes had reduced the arrears.

A penalty to the corner was followed by a catch and drive try which was not converted. However, it took two minutes for Crediton’s response and it came via winger Josh Woodland in a way that only he can, brushing off defenders and scoring in the corner.

Scrum time was good for Crediton throughout the game, irrespective of whose put in and once again Crediton stole another Wadebridge scrum and this time it was back row replacement Dan Lee who forced his way over, 22-5 and the bonus point try was in the bag.

On 65 minutes, another scrum was won and Crediton patiently went through several phases before flanker Jake Clarke broke the defensive wall to touch down, Avery-Wright converted and that was it, or so we thought.

Misfortune dogged Crediton a bit during the latter stages, injuries to Andy Wright and Dan Lee forced them out of the game and Crediton played the final 10 minutes a man down.

Wadebridge were able to take advantage and a well worked try out wide and right on time, earned a penalty try for what was considered a deliberate knock on which prevented a try scoring opportunity.

On the whole, this was a really good performance, in the final 10 minutes Crediton surrendered 12 points which produced a scoreline that probably flattered the visitors.

Sadly, the scheduled game for the Third XV was called off when the opposition were unable to raise a team.

The next league game takes Crediton to Bridgwater and for the Seconds it is a shorter trip to Tiverton for their first league game of the season, indeed the first ever league game for them.

Disappointingly, Tiverton is unable to raise a third team so at the time of writing, Crediton are looking for an alternative fixture.

Paul Harris