CREDITON RFC COLTS XV 12-62 BARNSTAPLE RFC

THE Colts have had a tough start to the season with three away games against strong opposition, in which we were on the wrong side of the scoreline each time despite playing some good rugby.

Welcoming Barnstaple to Blagdon was always going to be another tough game but the team rose to the occasion and dominated the opening minutes with strong forward carries, intelligent kicking, and some clever backs play.

The early pressure got us into a great position, only 10 meters from the Barnstaple try line. As we pressed to open the scoring, a do or die interception was made by the Barnstaple defence who then went the length of the field to score.

Our heads went down and a second try followed quickly after. Unfortunately that set the tone for the first half.

Despite some strong play in patches We were unable to get any continuity in their possession and handed the ball back to Barnstaple too easily. Half time came with a 0-45 Barnstaple lead.

The second half started as a much more evenly matched contest and we gained some confidence and began to show what we can do. With scrum, lineout and maul all working well we looked to build pressure and take the game to Barnstaple.

A turnover penalty and a good kick downfield gave us field position just outside the Barnstaple ‘22, the lineout was won and the resulting maul started to make good ground towards the Barnstaple line. Momentum was nearly halted 5 metres out, but the backs joined in and added their weight, with second row for the day Jack Burrow dotting down over the line. Charlie Broomfield added the conversion.

Twice more we found ourselves in scoring positions only to be held up over the line once, and a technical infringement at a 5-metre lineout costing us on another occasion.

However, our second try came following a period of sustained pressure, with attritional forward carries linking with flowing backs play getting us to within 5 metres of the Barnstaple line. Strong Barnstaple defence kept us out for a few phases until Will Lewis picked close to the line and crashed over

The game finished 12-62, but we can take a lot from our second half performance. The game was effectively already over at halftime but we kept fighting and looked the better team in the second half despite the 2 tries to 3 scoreline.

We are also proving to be a versatile team with players who are willing to do what they can for the team. We started the game with a scrum half on each wing, a hooker at second row, and a prop at No.8, and ended the game with a similar configuration but with the addition of a flanker playing at centre!

While the first win has eluded us so far, there is plenty to be positive about, and this young Colts team should be proud of how they conduct themselves and the determination they show, even when things aren’t going their way.

Scorers: Tries – Jack Burrow, Will Lewis; Conversion – Charlie Broomfield.

Next Saturday: 1st XV v Okehampton (H), 2nd XV v Topsham (A), 3rd XV v Topsham (H), Colts XV v Exeter Saracens (A).

Next Sunday: Women’s XV v Penryn (A).

Guy Courage