WHEN we arrived at Torquay on Saturday, April 21 there were so many permutations that would have relegated any one of six teams but, the simple matter was that both sides needed a victory to guarantee survival in this league (South West Division - Tribute Western Counties West).

Some might say we achieved that “by the skin of our teeth” but in reality it was far closer than that! A pleasantly warm afternoon greeted the players and the many supporters who made the trip which all added to the atmosphere.

No doubt there were nerves in both camps and, having lost the home game at the start of the season, we were certainly the underdogs in this game but whatever the outcome it was going to be a tight game.

The early exchanges were fairly even although we did take the game to them and earned an early penalty to provide an opportunity to open the scoring. Unfortunately the kick drifted narrowly wide.

That gave a bit of impetus to Torquay and, with the game just 12 minutes old, they did set the scoreboard in motion with a simple try.

Having won ruck ball, their fly-half Ed Barnes popped a deft pass for centre Bevan Armitage to burst through and score at the posts, James Wood landing the conversion.

A disappointing try to concede but it did not dampen spirits and we once again took the game to them. After conceding a lineout 10 metres out, our throw was long and found lock Josh Lee who made the yards to crash over and score, the conversion from brother Mark was wide.

Shortly before the interval and with the penalty count against the home side mounting, their skipper, lock Jon Woodhead was sin-binned, the resulting penalty dissected the uprights and we were ahead for the first time.

The lead did not last long however as the Tics attacked down the left and found space for their winger to go over and they were ahead 12-8.

Again, a bit disappointing to give them five points when they were a man down. However, once again we hit back almost immediately and another Josh Lee try, taking out three defenders in the process plus the conversion from Mark Lee put us 15-12 ahead at the interval.

Such was the intensity of the relegation battle, the mobile phones were somewhat frantic during the interval with different clubs ringing each other to see how they were getting on in an effort to see how the picture at the foot of the table was panning out.

At that stage we were moving up three places and Torquay going down. There were more twists and turns to come and for much of the opening 15 minutes we were unable to get our hands on the ball and it probably came as no surprise that the home side regained the lead with a converted try, 19-15 to them and they were in the safe zone and we were on our way down!

The final quarter was more about our pressure and them conceding penalties, kicks at goal were of little value and the lineout option seemed to be the favoured choice.

A kick to the corner, clean catch and drive over their line - job done. It did not go quite as planned on the first attempt, nor the second with time ticking away.

Torquay were then penalised for an offence at a maul and we opted for a scrum but that was defended albeit at the cost of another penalty, the time was looming where the hosts had to be whiter than white as the potential for a penalty try would possibly have been on the cards.

The kick to the corner and good clean lineout set up the driving maul and almost every player joined in; Mark Nott was on-hand to get the ball to ground and the try was awarded.

The elation, relief and exhaustion from the players and the spectators, was clear for all to see. It was the last play of the game, the conversion, although successfully popped over from out wide by Mark Lee, was something of an irrelevance.

The final whistle went and we were in the safety area and Torquay relegated. It was that close that had the final whistle gone 30 seconds earlier, the positions of the two clubs would have reversed.

It has to be said that both sides put huge effort into the game, the stakes were high in a genuine “winner takes all” battle.

The lead changed hands five times and neither side could get more than a score ahead to gain some breathing space. We felt that perhaps the momentum was with us both during the game when our energy levels appeared higher than one or two of their players who were visibly flagging.

Also the momentum that carried us into the game with four wins, a draw, and one defeat in the previous six games, all of them tough ones that were pretty close, we had learned how to win and string a few victories together.

If we do that at the start of next season, perhaps we could all be spared the stress, in the meantime we have the entire summer to grow our fingernails again!

A note too for the unbelievable support of the many who made the trip, granted it was a nice day, but to see so many Crediton faces on the touchline, it was almost like a home game.

Special mention must be made of the Third Fifteen who themselves turned down the opportunity to play Torquay at home but instead requested an early kick off at Torquay in order to lend support to the First Fifteen.

Their colourful appearance on the touchline was brilliant and the First Fifteen clearly rose to the occasion.

The cheering never stopped despite mouths becoming dry, the after effects of Pete Vallance’s paint stripper cider being the main cause.

TORQUAY SECONDS 31 - CREDITON THIRDS 19

The early kick off for the Third Fifteen’s against Torquay Seconds provided a hugely entertaining game. Full credit to our players who bounced back from being 0-19 down at half-time to draw level mid-way through the second half.

Sadly, two very late tries gave Torquay victory in the final Merit Table game of the season.

The spirit of the team certainly had an effect and their support for the First team was immeasurable.

Paul Harris