WINSCOMBE RFC 49-14 CREDITON RFC 1ST XV

WITH late pull-outs on Saturday morning forcing a reshuffle to the squad, it wasn’t the best start to the day.

However, once the game started, we could have no excuses. We were beaten by the better side on the day.

We were out-muscled and we were out-paced, two things that we have prided ourselves on over the last three seasons.

The open Winscombe pitch gave Storm Amy plenty of opportunity to impact proceedings and, despite having the wind at our backs in the first half, she proved to be no advantage to us as Winscombe exploded out of the blocks.

Their ruck speed and offload game was impressive, and our missed tackle count contributed to our demise. We went into the break 27-0 down with a mountain to climb.

After an appropriately toned halftime chat, the second half did see some reaction.

But the damage was already done. The game ended 49-14 in what was a bad day for the club.

Losses like this has been a rarity in recent years. The challenge now is seeing how the players respond to this set back.

North Petherton travel to us next week and both sides will be desperate to win. Try-scorers were Josh Woodland and Luke Mingo, with Ollie Avery-Wright slotting two conversions.

TOPSHAM RFC 62-0 CREDITON RFC 2ND XV

THE 2nd XV also endured a tough afternoon at Topsham, where we were comprehensively beaten. The Tops were incredibly organised and well drilled and put us to the sword.

Bright moments in the game were hard to come by and, all in all, this was a hugely disappointing display and result which, like the 1st XV will need a response from the players.

Credit to Topsham, they certainly put on a ruthless performance.

CREDITON RFC 3RD XV 31-22 BARNSTAPLE RFC

THE last time these two sides met was in last season’s final of the David Butt Memorial Trophy when Barum ran out winners so it was some sort of revenge as the 3rds got back to winning ways against a strong Barnstaple outfit.

We got off to a flier with Charlie Conner crashing through the centre from inside our half. Stopped just short of the line, an offload to fellow centre Tariq Sayers saw the latter crash over for the opening score and a 5-nil lead. That was two tries in two games for Sayers who put in a solid performance.

Conner was a menace all afternoon, causing Barum all sorts of issues on the attack and thwarting them with his defence.

The score seemed to spring the visitors into life and, before we knew it, we were 5-10 down after conceding a couple of tries. Barnstaple looked strong in attack but showed some frailties in defence and, after weathering bit of a storm, we began to take control.

Skipper Ben Rodd crashed over for a score before John Gurzynski did the same. Owen Cooper successfully converted both.

Winger Sam Borthen got himself on the scoresheet, gathering a loose ball and beating the defence to touchdown. Again, Cooper converted for a 26-10 lead at halftime.

Our lead was extended after the break when Conner broke through again from deep. This time he had the legs to make it all the way! The conversion was missed but at 31-10 the game seemed done and dusted.

Barnstaple had other ideas though and two tries in quick succession made it 31-22. We were guilty of trying a bit too hard and it needed some calm heads to get some control back. We managed that and the game played out without any further scores.

In an evenly contested game, this was a fantastic display of what the lads can do when that put their minds to it with communication being key. Everyone put 100 per cent into everything and it paid off!

Special mentions this week to Matt Moyes, returning to rugby after a few years off and looking like he'd never been away. Also, to Owen Cooper who took Storm Amy by the horns and slotted three conversions out of five in very windy conditions. Finally, Danny Parcell who looked rapid on the wing!

Thanks to Barnstaple for the game, we look forward to the return fixture.

This coming Saturday, the 1st XV host North Petherton, the 2nd XV head to Withycombe and the Colts XV entertain Barnstaple. Crediton Milling Company are our Match Day Sponsor and we look forward to welcoming them and their guests.

Jay Harris