Crediton 28 - Sidmouth 7

IT was nice for Crediton RFC to get back to winning ways with a thoroughly deserved and hard earned bonus point win.

The solid platform for victory was laid by a powerful display from the forwards despite missing two regular props in Lance Palmer (injured) and Will Cole (not available).

However, both Phil Holmes and Rob Leach proved more than capable deputies as Crediton punished the visiting eight throughout the game with total dominance in the scrum.

Whilst the rain held off for most of the game, the conditions were still pretty wet and it has to be said the ground staff have done an excellent job in providing a pitch that was in such good condition as to enable some free flowing rugby from the backs.

Sidmouth has been renowned over recent seasons for having an exciting back line but today their threat was more or less snuffed out by some outstanding defending and they rarely made it to Crediton’s “22” during the first half.

It was a Dan Yendell try on eight minutes that got things moving as he was on the end of a driving maul, Ollie Avery-Wright converted for an early 7-0 lead.

Crediton continued to maintain the pressure and with Sidmouth going backwards at almost every scrum, it was no real surprise when Josh Lee was on-hand to get the touch to the pushover try midway through the half.

However, that was it for the first half scoring and perhaps Crediton could have reached the interval with a few more points in the bag.

Sidmouth upped their game in the second half and certainly played more in Crediton’s territory but again the defensive efforts kept them at bay.

Crediton were still creating opportunities but the Sidmouth defence was equal to the task.

A few phases close to the visitors line kept the pressure on until Crediton were turned over, however, the attempted clearance was charged down by scrum-half Ed Brady who then won the race to touch down for try number three, Ollie Avery-Wright adding the extras.

Crediton then went in search of a bonus point try but it was Sidmouth who got themselves back into the game with a try, surprisingly through their forwards.

Crediton conceded a few penalties and the kick to the corner gave them the opportunity for a line out five metres out.

Sidmouth’s driving maul proved difficult to stop and they reduced the arrears with a converted try as Dan Armstrong drove over, Cole Monaghan added the extras.

Crediton did strike back almost immediately and this time the provider was wingman Josh Woodland who seems to thrive on games against Sidmouth. He had already spread a bit of panic with dashes down the left touchline taking on and generally beating defenders until numbers crowded him out.

It was on one such trademark burst that, realising there would be no way past the covering defence, he put a neat grubber kick through for Ollie Avery-Wright to run on to and touch down. He converted that one himself to round off an excellent win.

Both sides made a tremendous effort in wet conditions to provide some entertaining rugby.

That is now half way through the league programme and Crediton have played every team once and there is certainly a gap opening with St Austell leading the way with 50 points, but Crediton are hot on their heels with 48 and Truro in third place on 43.

There is then a 10 point gap to Wadebridge on 33.

There will be some difficult games ahead starting with a trip Wadebridge on Saturday, December 3.

There are a few sides that have been improving as the season has progressed and there will be some tough games ahead but as has been proved, Crediton do have the strength in depth to cover most positions.

Sidmouth Seconds 24 - Crediton Quins 29

FOR the second game running the Quins have managed to overcome opponents in pretty tough games although instead of clinging on for the win, this time it was a case of chasing the game and only taking the lead for the first time with the final score of the game.

In the first half, the Quins had the advantage of the slope but were against the elements and for the opening quarter were under pressure with the home fly-half keeping Crediton in their own half with some clever and well judged line kicks.

Sidmouth opened the scoring with a converted try and Crediton soaked up pressure from then on.

However, scrum-half Fenton Davies picked up a loose ball and went through a couple of tackles to score, Tom Ronchetti landed the extras to level things. The Quins then gave away a penalty in front of the posts and Sidmouth were three points ahead, but winger Joe Dodge then outpaced the home defence to put us 12-10 up.

With half-time approaching, the home side regained the lead with a converted try to give them a 17-12 interval lead.

Another seven pointer for Sidmouth came early in the second half and it looked as though Crediton were heading for their second defeat of the season.

However, such is the resilience of this Quins side, they will always battle to the end.

Despite a succession of penalties against them, the home side were unable to capitalise and Crediton gradually pulled things together as the brothers Ronchetti pulled back seven points with Sam bagging the try and Tom adding the conversion, and when he then struck over a penalty it became a two point game.

Fortunately, it was fullback Devon Hosegood who forced his way over to claim the bonus point try with Tom Ronchetti landing the extras to complete the comeback.

It has not been very often this season that the Quins have been taken to wire but two consecutive games have certainly tested their resolve in different ways, firstly in hanging on to a lead as against Exeter Athletic and then battling back from a two score deficit to snatch victory.

The latter was even more impressive with a few regulars missing from the side but such is the strength in depth, the changes were virtually seamless.

Victory keeps the Quins at the top of the Counties Three Tribute Devon East League on 40 points, one point ahead of OPM First who were surprisingly given a walkover by Cullompton Seconds.

There is then a 12 point gap to Tiverton Seconds.

The combined efforts of the First and Quins at the half-way mark have produced 18 wins from 20 games, a remarkable statistic which is a tribute to coaches and players and is unmatched by any other Club in the County.

Crediton Colts 7 - Sidmouth Colts 12

SIDMOUTH Colts came out on top in this Devon Colts Cup fixture that certainly had the “e” factor being entertaining, exciting and enjoyable.

It could certainly have gone either and the way as both sides showed tremendous spirit and commitment.

In the end it was a try from Harry Grigg converted by Freddie Blackburn that at least earned the Colts a losing bonus point.

On Saturday, December 3, the Firsts travel to Wadebridge, the Quins travel to Buckfastleigh and the Thirds are at home to Exeter Engineers.

Paul Harris