ON Sunday, September 25, Crediton RFC Ladies, in their very first league game in NC 1 South West (West), welcomed Plymstock Albion Oaks, a team who finished fourth in the league last season.
A lot of nervous energy surrounded the home side from the off, but despite this they worked hard to contain the onslaught from the much bigger Oaks side with an organised defence, crucial turnovers, strong running and tactical kicking to be able to clear their lines.
Plymstock kept pressurising with huge physicality towards Crediton until they managed to breach the home teams try line on two occasions before the break, but did not manage to convert either score, meaning Plymstock led at half-time 0-10.
The second half started much as the first half ended, with Plymstock driving over the line to touch down and this time to convert making the score 0-17.
As we all know, no Crediton side goes down without a fight and the ladies are no different.
With a strong belief and determination, the resurgence began.
Strong running from the forwards sucked in the defence to create space down the wing, with some quick and precise handling put Alice Cook to space from the halfway line, who glided past the last defender to dot down under the posts, so that Rachel Mortimer could convert to make the score 7-17.
With Plymstock starting to become tired Crediton’s finishers were released onto the field!
More and more pressure was placed on the away side until the ball landed in Alice Mahony’s arm for her to score out wide which Rachel Mortimer failed to convert, 12-17.
Crediton could now smell blood, the hunted had now become the hunter! With tails up Crediton began to turn the screw, keeping to their patterns again creating space on the wing for Alice Mahony to go in under the post to give Rachel Mortimer an easy conversion to take the lead for the first time in the match 19-17.
In the last minute of the match Plymstock launched an attack that resulted in a scrum to Crediton, inside Crediton’s “22” and being the last play of the match, the home side retained the ball and managed to kick to the touchline to end the game.
Forward of the match went to Holly Yeandle and the back of the match went to Alice Mahony.
You may notice that there are few references to individuals this week, as this was VERY much a squad performance, that has brought the team even closer together and has shown that we can meet the physical demands of the league, which is very promising for the rest of the season.
Thank you to all that came and supported the ladies I am sure you would agree this was a cracking game of rugby.
The next game on Sunday, October 2 is away to Devonport Services please go along and cheer them on.
Kev Ellis