CREDITON 29 - NORTH PETHERTON 25

PROMOTION to a higher league always brings with it new challenges but as we ended last season with four successive league victories, so we began this one with two on the trot. An impressive beginning which proves that the players are ready for those challenges that lie ahead.

The opening game against North Petherton, a side firmly established in this league having finished fifth last season and were indeed difficult opponents but by half-time we had raced to a 29-5 lead having played some of the best rugby seen at Blagdon for some time.

The opening 10 minutes saw us take the game to them and we were 6-0 up in even time courtesy of two Ollie Avery-Wright penalties as the early pressure told on the visitors. On 11 minutes, a trademark Mark Lee break down the middle was halted but not before the offload to scrum-half Ed Brady who then made further ground deep into the ‘22’ before being tackled.

From the ensuing ruck, play went down the short side where full-back Jason Luff came into the line and dotted down close to the posts. Avery-Wright added the extras and another penalty for a 16-0 lead after 18 minutes.

North Petherton were a big side and began to get into their stride with No 8 James Taylor becoming a bit of a thorn in our side. A powerful man often taking three opponents to bring him to ground and on one of his runs deep into our ‘22’ gave an excellent offload to winger Lewis Allen who scooted over.

Whilst that showed the sort of threat they posed, it did not dent our confidence and we continued to batter away at them. Another penalty just inside our own half and when Avery-Wright decided he could have a pop, well to be honest we all thought it was a bit adventurous to say the least.

However, his decision proved the correct one as he landed it for another three-pointer on the half-hour. Within minutes another penalty even further away also found its mark. Two magnificent kicks that ultimately would prove decisive.

Shortly before the interval, the visitors attempted to move the ball away from their ‘22’ but a dropped pass was pounced on by flanker Andy Brown who got his pass out to Mark Lee whose power saw him over the line, Avery-Wright converted.

A couple of injuries meant Phil Holmes came on to prop in place of skipper Henry Gavin and Tom Mortimer on for lock Josh Lee. Mortimer soon earned himself a 10-minute breather when the referee adjudged he had deliberately knocked the ball on in the tackle. The resulting penalty brought the score to 29-8.

North Petherton began to make full use of their numerical and size advantage putting us under enormous pressure. The penalties began to come for them and the kicks to the corner produced opportunities for the catch and drive.

They reduced the deficit further when they drove forward off a lineout but we defended superbly. However, they did get the ball out to the backs and centre Bert Cowley went over, the conversion failed.

Another score soon followed, this time winger Allen going over for his second, and again the conversion was wide of the mark.

We did manage to get back into the game for a brief period and spurned a couple of good opportunities to seal the victory but a misplaced pass enabled NP to clear their lines and a dropped pass close to the line kept the visitors in the game.

The pressure continued and we were forced to defend which we did exceptionally well but another catch and drive ended with replacement prop Jake Caulfield forcing his way over, this time fly-half Charlie Smith landed the conversion and there were only four points in it with five minutes remaining.

Fortunately, the clock was run down and the victory was ours and on the balance of play well-deserved.

SIDMOUTH 28 - CREDITON 30

A week later it was a return trip to Sidmouth, not a happy hunting ground for us last season having been comprehensively beaten in both the league game and the Intermediate Cup Final.

Of course, both those games are consigned to history and this season we start again with a clean slate. The performance never reached the level of the first half against North Petherton, in fact both sides seemed to struggle and made hard work of things.

Two Ollie Avery-Wright penalties put us 6-0 ahead after we had dominated the opening spell.

Sidmouth were outgunned at the scrum but an error in midfield allowed them in for a converted try and by half time they had added another eleven points against our try from Josh Woodland to be 18-11 up at the break.

The second half was very much a seesaw affair with the lead changing hands and with never more than a few points between the teams. Two tries from winger Lewis Warren, another product of the Junior section, one of which was converted by Avery-Wright put us 23-18 ahead.

The home side thought they had snatched victory with 10 minutes remaining with a converted try and a penalty to lead 28-23. However, with two minutes remaining, the pressure on the Sidmouth scrum proved too great and they were unable to control the ball.

The sharp thinking scrum-half Ed Brady pounced and dashed up the touchline to level the score. Avery-Wright added the extras for a 30-28 victory and we saw the game through to the final whistle.

Torrington Firsts 26 - Crediton Seconds 24

The ‘Quins travelled to Torrington for a friendly and gave the Devon One side a bit of a scare before losing to a score in the closing stages by the home side.

One or two things to work on notably in the contact areas where we need to assert ourselves a bit more. Nonetheless a very encouraging start for a side which promises much for a good season in the Devon Merit Tables.

Veteran prop Wayne Reed bagged a brace of tries and there was one apiece for Chris Hooper and Gav Down. Gareth Kinch landed two conversions.

Crediton Seconds 27 - Exmouth Seconds 43

The ‘Quins suffered an early setback when Exmouth opened the scoring straight from the kick-off to lead 7-0 after 30 seconds. However, we battled back and after 20 minutes held a 20-7 lead.

The visitors with a wealth of experience in their side looked particularly sharp and recovered from the shock of being behind, hitting back strongly to lead 21-20 at the interval.

Exmouth took control in the second half and despite some good defence at times, did add three further tries and points from the boot took their total to 43. We did have the final word when centre Oli Coupe intercepted on the Exmouth 10 metre line and raced in to have the final word.

Crediton Thirds 28 - Newcross 59

The Third Fifteen’s also came up against opponents who currently play in Devon League One and gave a very good account of themselves. There were a number of last year’s Colts in the side, all of whom played with commitment and there was no shortage of skill.

The first half was dominated by the visitors and they did rack up a fair score with the advantage of the slope.

However, the Thirds hit back in the second half and can take consolation from the fact that they did win the second period running in four tries through Harry Trelawney, Mark Small, Nial Davies-Hale and Scott Baker. Owen Cooper landed three conversions and Hayden Hill one.

Crediton Thirds 5 - Sidmouth Seconds 45

In all honesty this is not the sort of fixture that the Thirds should be playing. Sidmouth having declined promotion at the end of last season and preferring to stay in their comfort zone, proved too strong.

The young Crediton side battled hard and kept the Sidmouth side from scoring in the opening quarter. Unfortunately, four tries in relatively quick succession, dampened spirits a little.

The second half was again well-contested and we did pull a score back but Sidmouth did not take their feet off the pedal and added three more tries.

The Seconds and Thirds have quite a few youngsters in the side, fresh out of Colts but they certainly competed well and as they adjust to the rigours of senior rugby the results will come. Plenty to look forward to from these two sides.

Crediton Colts 12 - Exeter Saracens Colts 12

The Colts were held to a 12 all draw against Exeter Saracens Colts and a highly entertaining game. This was the opening fixture in the Colts Merit Table and both sides look to have some promising young players coming through.

Withycombe Colts 40 - Crediton Colts 19

Despite the scoreline, this was regarded as an improved performance in a friendly against one of the strongest Colts sides in the County.

Paul Harris