Crediton’s unbeaten run ends in 20-14 defeat at Wadebridge
Crediton's unbeaten run in Two South West ended at Wadebridge, where they lost 20-14.
Defeat cost Crediton their share of top spot in the division, which is now occupied solely by Topsham.
The only score in the first 39 minutes was a Wadebridge penalty. A converted try made it 10-0 to the Camels at half time. Another try and conversion stretched the Camels’ lead to 17-0 with 51 minutes gone on the watch. A Matt Arnold try on the hour, converted by Josh Davey, got Crediton on the board. Wadebridge increased their lead with a second penalty three minutes from time.
Crediton had the last word with a second try from Arnold that was also converted by Davey.
Stuart Lowe, the Crediton coach, said it may have been a below-par performance but there were positives to take from it.
“After three good weeks this was way off,” said Lowe. “Our decision-making, game-management and attack were well below the standards we have set.
“We defended for 60 minutes of the match so the big plus was limiting Wadebridge to 20 points, and very few try-scoring chances.”
Crediton have no league game this Saturday. The focus switches to the Devon Senior Cup and a home game against Barnstaple in the first round.
“With no league rugby we welcome league-higher Barnstaple, which will give us opportunities to look at a few options,” said Lowe.
The winners will be at home to either Exmouth or Topsham in the last four. The winning streak that helped take Tiverton to promotion into Two South West finally ended when they were defeated 17-10 at Winscombe.
It’s been almost nine calendar months since Tiverton last lost a game, which was a 48-17 reversal at Paignton on the first Saturday in January.
Tiverton had won 11 on the trot on arrival at Longfield – plus a walkover against Bude – but were never ahead against the north Somerset side.
Winscombe were 6-3 up at the break – Henry Sellick kicking points off the tee for Tiverton – and went 9-3 then 14-3 ahead after the switch.
Tiverton got back in range with a Dave Harris try that Sellick goaled, but a penalty put the village side a score clear.
Lewis Podpadec scored Winscombe’s only try. Sam Dearsley kicked three penalties.
Tiverton finished the game on the front foot with Adam Curtis just a few feet away from the try line before being tackled and jackalled.
Jon Hill, the Tiverton coach, said his side did not do enough to feel hard done by.
“Sometimes you just have to give credit to the opposition,” said Hill. “Winscombe have a narrow pitch and they know how to play it.
“We did not play very well, and did not deserve to win, but we could have scraped a draw. Although we got up to Winscombe’s line – and over it – three times, we could not get the ball down.”
Defeat dropped Tiverton down to third in the table.
Crediton, Tiverton and Cullompton all take a break from Two South West action this Saturday with games in the first round of the Devon Intermediate Cup.