Chew Valley 34-34 Topsham
-Illness, injuries and inaccuracies as 1st XV escape Somerset with 3 points-
It took a late try to salvage a draw for Tops against a fired up and powerful Chew Valley side. With a mix of injuries and illness forcing us into changes from last week, some as late as the morning of, for the second game running we found ourselves two tries down early in the first half. This time though we were only able to level things as opposed to pull clear. At 31-17 down with twenty minutes to go and a game riddled with inaccuracies three points seemed a distant dream. However we battled hard and found a way to pull things back to 31-27 despite no clear periods of dominance. Chew nudged a penalty over and extended their advantage to 34-27. We then had a shot to reply but missed from the tee only for minutes later to get over the line with ball in hand before a nerveless conversion squared all things up. Three points on the road and no L in the column, it wasn't vintage but they're handy points on a day where we were probably second best. Next up a return to Bonfire Field for back to back home fixtures starting with Exmouth
Tries:
T.Furner, J.Cave, F.Clark, R.Edbrooke, H.McCartney
Con:
T.Oxland x 2, G.Mulgrew
Pen:
T.Oxland
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Topsham II 50-17 Crediton II
-2s claim second win as Crediton negotiated-
With an almost identical result to last week our 2nd XV win hit fifty again whilst conceding just seventeen. A dominant eight try performance was enough to steer us past Crediton II and maintain our 100% start in Counties 2. Of the six teams that won on opening day only two met in Round 2 meaning we share top spot with four other sides with a perfect record. Next week will be a test of our credentials though when Exmouth II, one of those four sides yet to drop a point, are our opponents.
Tries:
Z.Killian x 2, L.Incledon, L.Helden, G.Holwill, T.Simpkins, R.Zappia, L.Thorpe
Conv:
P.Gibbs x 5
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Crediton III 50-33 Topsham III
-3rd XV beaten by Creddy in high scoring thriller-
Both sides rained in tries but ultimately it was the hosts who took the spoils. We leave with a try bonus point to add to our Walkover win on opening day. Next up for the 3s...you guessed it, like the rest of the teams - Exmouth.
Tries:
E.Jones x 2, L.Gregory, J.Ware, S.Crehan Mills
Conv:
L.Gregory x 4
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Plymouth Albion 0-22 Tempests
-Tempests advance past Albion following early finish-
Our Tempests fixture was called off mid way through the first half following the opposition's concerns over their player's welfares after a string of knocks. We'd worked our way into a 0-22 lead and were playing some very attractive rugby before the game came to an unexpected end just 25 mins in. A strong scrum and a dangerous kicking game had built the platform for us to cross four times in the opening quarter. We respect Albion's decision to call the game prematurely as avoiding unneccessary injuries is paramount but its disapointing nonetheless for our ladies that their afternoon's play was curtailed so early, especially when things were gelling nicely. We turn our attentions to next Sunday and a home league match against North Dorset.
Tries:
T.Currie x 2, I.Rowe, S.Clarke
Conv:
F.Charlesworth