CREDITON RFC 3RD XV 24-15 DEVONPORT SERVICES RFC

AFTER a run of impressive victories and some high-scoring performances, we knew we were due a sterner test, and that's exactly what we got when we welcomed Devonport Services 3rd XV to Blagdon.

Having not played them for a few seasons, we weren't quite sure what to expect. What we do know now is that they gave us the wake-up call we probably needed. Spirits were high in camp following our recent success, and perhaps there was a touch of complacency in the air. That disappeared quickly once the whistle blew.

Devonport travelled with just 16 players, but what they lacked in numbers they more than made up for in quality. They came out firing and, after several phases of hard, direct running, crossed in the corner within the opening five minutes. From there, the game developed into a bruising battle up front, with both sides delivering some bone-crunching tackles and defending resolutely on their own try lines.

After sustained pressure and several attempts to force our way over, Zach Yeandle eventually picked from a ruck and crashed through to score around the half-hour mark. Devonport responded with another well-earned try before the break, leaving us trailing 10-5 at half-time.

Captain Ben Rodd and coach John Gurzynski delivered some strong words of encouragement and clear game-management instructions at the interval. We knew we needed to make changes, and to the lads' credit, we did exactly that.

The second half started strongly. Veteran Kevin Ellis entered the fray to add his experience alongside Matt Moyes, Zach Yeandle, Richard Gray and Sam Cliff, and we soon began to take control at scrum time. Macaulay Jones added his power to a pack that was starting to gain the upper hand, while Harry Poole and Elliot Butterfield continued to put in huge shifts in the back row.

Our growing pressure paid off when Richard Gray powered over five minutes into the second half. Hayden Hill, pulling the strings at fly-half, looked to unleash Ben Rodd and Kieran Jones in the midfield and also threatened himself, picking off three intercepts during the afternoon, only to be stopped short by some determined Devonport defence.

Elliot Butterfield was next to get the reward his performance deserved, crossing for a try on the hour mark, with Hill adding the extras to put us 17-10 ahead. Devonport refused to go away, however, and struck back with an unconverted try five minutes later to close the gap.

Rather than rattling us, it only increased our determination. With five minutes remaining, Ashley Bradnock, back on after a strong first-half showing, crashed over for the decisive score of the afternoon. Hill again added the conversion to give us a 24-15 advantage.

With the evergreen Wayne Reed helping steady the ship and plenty of experience on the pitch, we managed the closing stages well and saw out the game to secure a hard-earned victory.

Credit must go to Devonport Services, who were phenomenal opponents. To travel with almost a bare squad and compete as strongly as they did was hugely impressive. They were physical, well-drilled and pushed us all the way, making for a fantastic game of true 3rd XV rugby. We wish them all the best for the rest of the season and look forward to the return fixture in Plymouth in March.

While we've enjoyed some big wins this season, this was probably our toughest test so far. In many ways, that made the result even more satisfying. Sometimes it's the games where you have to dig deep that tell you the most about your team, and this group showed plenty of character when it mattered most.

Scorers: Tries – Zach Yeandle, Richard Gray, Elliot Butterfield, Ashley Bradnock; Conversions – Hayden Hill (2).

John Gurzynski