Tiverton RFC 48 - Crediton RFC 1st XV 14

AFTER defeat away at Weston-super-Mare last week, we hadn’t expected to be in this play-off game but, with our rivals for 5th place playing out a draw, here we were!

Without wishing to sound like a stuck record, we were dealt a tough hand with a large portion of the regular 1st XV squad unavailable due to injury and other commitments. With players pulling out during the week, and even two on Saturday morning, it was always going to be a challenging day against a Tiverton side who deservedly and comfortably finished runners up in the league.

Frustrating as it was, the focus was clear for the assembled squad, play for the badge and play for the pride of the club.

We embraced a more unstructured approach, encouraging the lads to trust their instincts. For large parts of the game, our young side, including four current colts (Charlie Cookson, Ollie Harris, Ozzie Kent and Jake Kibbey) more than held their own, showing real grit, passion, and character.

Ultimately Tiverton were more clinical than us and well worth their win – the fourth over us this season.

While that is a bitter pill to swallow we wish them all the best in the next play-off game against Wadebridge Camels.

For us, we finish the season with greater depth than ever before, and we look forward to welcoming back a number of players who’ve been sorely missed.

To go from 10th place in mid-November, sitting 18 points off 5th place, to finishing 5th and reaching the play-offs is a huge achievement and a sign of what this group is capable of.

As we’ve said to the lads, high league finishes are great for the ego but it’s seasons like this where the real lessons are learned. We will take a hard earned rest, returning more hungry than ever before to regain form of seasons gone by.

Scorers – Tries; Charlie Cookson, Chris Hooper – Cons; Josh Davey (2).

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Jay Harris