CREDITON SECONDS 0 - OKEHAMPTON SECONDS 50

CREDITON Rugby Club’s Second Fifteen welcomed Okehampton Seconds to Blagdon for a local derby in a Devon Merit Table One League fixture last Saturday, November 19.

Okehampton started the game playing at a very high tempo and within five minutes of the start they got over the Crediton try-line for an early converted try.

Ten minutes later, following a line-out in the Crediton half, Okehampton won possession and moved the ball across the width of the pitch to put their winger over in the corner.

Whilst Crediton were matching Okehampton in many facets of play, and to some degree had the advantage, it was the Okehampton backs that were causing the Crediton defence so many problems with their high tempo offloading game, coupled with intricate patterns of running.

Okehampton added a further three tries to their total before half-time, each being created by pure pace and support of the ball carrier making the half-time score 0-29 to Okehampton.

Crediton were pleased to hear the half-time whistle in order to be able to review and regroup after an explosive first half from Okehampton.

Crediton started the second half with a lot more confidence and it was only strong defending by Okehampton which stopped them getting onto the scoreboard.

Whilst Okehampton were still playing at a high tempo, the Crediton defence were much better organised and proving more difficult to break down.

For 25 minutes the second half score remained at 0-0 and Crediton were making the Okehampton defence work hard to keep a nil scoresheet.

Crediton then suffered a couple of injuries which forced a further reshuffle to their side and Okehampton took full advantage of this by running in a further three tries during the final 15 minutes to make the final score 0-50 to Okehampton.

This was one of the best Okehampton Second teams to visit Crediton for many years with a good blend of youth and experience, and it was clearly obvious that they trained regularly together as a team based on the understanding they have of each other, and the patterns of play they play with ease.

Paul Harris