Falmouth 0pts Crediton 39 pts FALMOUTH found themselves facing a testing start to the new rugby season with a visit from Devon side Crediton at the Recreation Ground in the first round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

It was also a testing occasion for the players with several of the Colts making the big step up in class.

The visitors arrived in confident mood having retained most of their squad and whilst having recruited well including former Cornish All Blacks and Plymouth Albion prop forward Wayne Reed who has returned to his old club as coach.

Falmouth soon found they were up against it when full back A Murray crossed for a unconverted try after seven minutes.

This was followed by another unconverted try after 15 minutes when winger R Andrew crossed after a kick ahead and some slack defending by the home side.

Crediton’s E Yendle had to leave the field briefly due to a blood injury.

The visitors were putting long kicks up field to good affect and this resulted in another unconverted try by fly half S Pickard after 25 minutes.

Further pressure on the home try line resulted in a penalty try that was converted by Pickard after 34 minutes.

Falmouth were having problems stemming the flow of attacks and a further try was scored just before half time by No. 8 G Savage and converted by Pickard for a 0-29 score.

Falmouth came more into the game in the second half but after 48 minutes conceded another unconverted try by wing forward J. Milton after a strong run to the line.

Falmouth full back J Greville- Smith was making several runs at the opposition, but was checked on each occasion.

The home side lost scrum half M. Trevelyan who was sin binned after 65 minutes and he was soon followed by S. Instance. Centre threequarter P. Wellington had to be replaced due to injury and Falmouth were down to 13 men with frustration creeping in.

Falmouth did not give up and were camped on the Crediton try line and were turned over, but the visitors were denied another try after a last ditch tackle by Greville-Smith.

Crediton completed their scoring on 80 minutes with another try by Savage which was not converted.

This Saturday Falmouth travel to Wellington for the opening game in the Cornwall & Devon league while the ‘A’ XV will make to short journey to take on Camborne 3rd. XV in a merit table match.