The Clive White Cup

Crediton seconds 20

North Tawton 7

AGAINST all the odds this match went ahead on a very muddy pitch although the rain held off for most of the game.

The sides were evenly matched initially and it was 20 minutes before Crediton had a scoring chance with a penalty kick. The kick was pulled across the posts in the wind which was to prove tricky for kickers throughout the match.

They kept up the pressure on the North Tawton line and from a scrum 10 metres out Crediton's Ben Rogers went over for a try which was not converted.

North Tawton responded well and their pack started to dominate in the set pieces, giving their three quarters the opportunity to attack the Crediton line. After a series of penalties close to the line, Tawton opted for a scrum and shoved on to produce a good push over try, credited to Simon Quick at number eight. The conversion was well struck into the wind by Jamie Stevens to take Tawton into a 7-5 lead at half time.

Crediton struck back early in the second half with a try out wide on the left by winger Nathan Jackson; the conversion failed to carry.

A good break down the right flank by Crediton showed that they were back in the game and Tawton had to defend strongly. A penalty for a high tackle against Crediton led to a speculative penalty attempt from about 40 metres and even with the following wind it never made the distance. Once again Tawton were forced back and defended well, holding up the ball as Crediton crossed the line again. When a maul developed close to their try line they finally cracked and Crediton bundled over the line with the touchdown going to Henry Gavin.

Again the conversion was missed and the score moved on to 15-7 to the home side.

With fresh players coming on Crediton were in the ascendancy; Tawton's cause was not helped by losing a player through injury, having used their substitutes already. A good move off the back of a Crediton scrum found the gap and right wing Sam Andrews went through for another unconverted try.

North Tawton had a last chance to make their mark in the closing minutes with a penalty kick to a lineout on the Crediton five metre line. A well-judged throw over the top by their hooker Marc Kerswill was collected by Craig Dennis in the centre but his run was held up and the match ended with a 20-7 win for Crediton, who regain the Clive White Cup from North Tawton.