Match report by Steve Murley

First played second in a table topping thriller at Crediton’s Exhibition Road Ground in front of a large, noisy crowd. For Saints it was the chance to dent Crediton’s chase and put more space between the two sides, while for Crediton it felt like their last chance to stop the Saints juggernaut.

The game began at a frantic pace with the Saints keeping the ball alive, prodding and probing for gaps. It soon became clear that Crediton had done their homework as their defensive line speed and power closed the Saints down. After 10 minutes it has been all Saints, but the Crediton line remained intact, and they gradually worked their way down the field.

A cute lineout move by Crediton allowed Dan Lee to open the scoring in the 13th minute probably against the run of play. With Saints penalised for coming in from the side their kick found an excellent touch. A throw to Chris Courtier in the middle of the lineout saw hooker Dan Yendell dig the ball out and from a well-timed reverse pass no 8 Lee burst down an undefended blind side channel to touch down close to the posts. Fly-half Avery Wright added the extras
Crediton 7 – Saints 0 ( 13 mins – Dan Lees Try – Ollie Avery-Wright Conversion )

After a good period of Saints pressure Crediton cleared the ball over half way straight down the middle of the field. Fraser Nottle fielded the bouncing ball and looked to start a counter attack. The Crediton defence maintained their excellent form and a great first-up tackle saw Nottle left isolated and penalised for holding onto the ball. Avery-Wright stepped up to kick a fine penalty from 40m
Crediton 10 – Saints 0 ( 20 mins Avery-Wright Penalty )

Crediton were very quick in defence and one of the risks in that is the potential for a high tackle and on 28 minutes referee Pearce gave a yellow to Crediton no 8 Dan Lee saw yellow for just such an offence.
28 minutes Dan Lee ( Crediton – Yellow Card )

The key turning point in the match came at 35 minutes. Crediton returned a missed touch kick and with the Saints making good tackles a maul developed. Players from both sides competed heavily and following a coming together between two players it was prop Charlie Nicholson who was issued a red card.
35 minutes Charlie Nicholson ( Red Card )

From the resulting penalty Avery-Wright, added 3 without ever looking like missing.
Crediton 13 – Saints 0 ( 36 mins Avery-Wright Penalty )

Saints were reeling but worked their way back up field from the resulting kick-off. A towering leap from Joe Maunder set up a number of drives through midfield from Miles Davey, Dan Job and Cam Taylor. When the ball went wide to Chris Ashwin his inside ball was stopped by a Crediton player obstructing Matt Shepherd. The Saints needed to get some points on the board and with time running out in this half opted for the kick at goal, slotted by Shepherd
Crediton 13 – Saints 3 ( 36 mins Matt Shepherd Penalty )

CJ Boyce took a heavy tackle and left the field with a shoulder injury after 38 minutes. This was the first time that CJ had missed any game time for the Saints this season. A remarkable record for a player enjoying his best season for the Saints and someone who goes about his business in a quiet, understated but very effective way.
CJ Boyce off – Dan Tyrell on ( 37 minutes )

Saints had avoided making their forced front row substitution as no scrums were required but on 38 minutes Matt Boothby came on for the unfortunate Fraser Nottle to allow competed scrums to take place
Fraser Nottle off – Matt Boothby on ( 38 minutes )

A high tackle from Crediton gave Matt Shepherd the chance to cut the deficit from about 40m in the dying seconds of this half but the ball fell agonizingly short and the referees whistle blew.

Half-time Crediton 13 – Saints 3
The Saints knew that despite the lion’s share of possession and position in the first half they had not played as well as they wanted. Undoubtedly that was due in large part due to the tenacity and clinical finishing of the Crediton team. The message was that if they could cut out silly errors and keep the tempo high then this was a game there to be won, despite playing a man down. It would be important to start the second half well.

A great start is just what the Saints got as within the first 5 minutes Shepherd drilled a ball, turned over in the line-out by Andy Inch, some 60m downfield to earn a 50-22 lineout for the Saints
Saints didn’t win the ball as cleanly as they would have wanted but retained possession well through several phases committing Crediton players. Live wire scrum-half Dan Tyrell darted to the blind side running at the space between two defenders and putting in fly half Chris Ashwin. The extra points weren’t taken but the Saints had the start they wanted
Crediton 13 – Saints 8 ( 45 mins Chris Ashwin Try )

As both sides battled away infringements kept coming and the Crediton scrum half, Ed Brady saw 10 minutes in the bin for persistent team offending.
47 minutes Ed Brady ( Crediton – Yellow Card )

With both sides at 14 men Saints once again ramped up the pressure. Unfortunately following a lineout 25m inside the Crediton half the referee once again penalised Saints for not releasing in the tackle, a key area that he had policed consistently all afternoon with both sides falling foul of the need to react quickly around the breakdown.

Crediton kicked to half way and once again went through the catch and drive routine. Saints pulled down the maul doubling down on their previous penalty and once again showing ill-discipline.
Avery-Wright drilled the ball to within 10m of the Saints line and with the Crediton backs joining the maul gleefully celebrated a well worked try as Yendell claimed the touchdown.

Crediton 18 – Saints 11 ( 50 mins Daniel Yendell Try )

Saints emptied the bench with Rob Jeffs replacing Rory Jago in an effort to up the tempo and claw their way back in the game
Rory Jago – Rob Jeffs ( 51 minutes )

Unusually the game re-started with a penalty from half way for the Saints, a Crediton player judged to have pushed a Saints player after the try was awarded. Shepherd once again kicked the ball close to 10m from Crediton line. With the Saints in a prime attacking position much sooner than they would have thought likely there was another opportunity to get back into the game. Crediton had other ideas and soared highest to claim a crucial lineout turnover.

The clearance kick gave some respite but without great distance and the Saints came roaring back. A short lineout and drive from Matt Boothby once again saw the Saints stuttering as the ball was knocked on and a Crediton scrum was awarded.

This Saints team has great heart and continued to press hard and put Crediton under pressure. With Rob Jeffs competing at a maul 35m out the referee spotted the Crediton player holding on. Up stepped Shepherd to gather 3 points and put Saints within a converted try of parity
Crediton 18 – Saints 11 ( 56 mins Matt Shepherd Penalty )

From the restart Crediton ran the ball aggressively back at Saints but with their tails up the Saints first up tackling had more bite now. A great hit in midfield saw the ball dislodged and when Yendell fell on the ball in front of referee Pearce from an off-side position, the penalty was clear.

Shepherd once again put the Saints in a great position and after several phases of driving play, Chris Ashwin picked Sam Parsons out running an intelligent, hard line between two Crediton players to score a fine team try converted by Shepherd. The match was now all square.
Crediton 18 – Saints 18 ( 59 mins Sam Parsons Try - Matt Shepherd conversiony )

With the game now level it looked as if the Saints were gaining the ascendancy and momentum had switched to their side. Crediton, however, had different ideas and as the game settled into a midfield battle it was Saints who again fell foul of the referee by holding on at a tackle.

The crowd knew what was coming as Avery-Wright kicked to the corner, their lineout secured the ball and they began to drive to the line. Once again their backs joined the drive to keep up the momentum but there was a twist. As inside centre Ben Wonnacott broke away from the side of the maul to catch the Saints defence napping and touch down. Avery-Wright converted to give the try lts full value
Crediton 25 – Saints 18 ( 70 mins Ben Wonnacott Try – Avery-Wright conversion )

With time running out Saints were awarded a penalty for what looked like a Bobby Jenkin trip, another yellow card was issued. Shepherd kicked to the corner for one final attempt.
75 minutes Bobby Jenkin ( Crediton – Yellow Card )

Maunder won the ball but was handled in the air and with the referee playing an advantage they drove for the line. With no advantage arising the referee blew for the penalty and Saints took a quick tap, in a cameo moment that probably summed up the whole game for the Saints the ball was knocked on and Crediton cleared their line.

With time running out and Crediton now camped in the Saints half a desperate effort by Boothby to regain possession saw another penalty conceded along with a yellow card
80 minutes Matt Boothby ( Yellow card )

After some discussion Crediton took the hard-nosed decision to kick for goal to deny Saints the bonus point. Avery-Wright converted with ease to give Crediton a well-deserved victory
Crediton 28 – Saints 18 ( 80 mins Avery-Wright penalty )

This was a cracking but error-strewn game of rugby. While the Saints topped both possession and position stats Crediton were very well-organised with an outstanding defence and great execution of their driving lineout. There is more than one way to win a rugby match and Crediton were worthy winners on the day.

Saints will reflect on chances missed and several errors. Referee Pearce had an excellent game but neither team really got to grips with the speed of release he demanded at the tackle area, and this was reflected in the number of penalties and yellow cards. That was an area where players need to be more tuned in to what refs require.

With an 8-point lead, the Saints still have the advantage despite Crediton’s game in hand. If Saints deliver in their next 3 games they will be Champions, but the main focus will be on Saturday’s game away to Wellington. It will be another great occasion in Somerset.