Devon Cup

Kingsbridge U16s 22,

Crediton U16s 16

Kingsbridge RFC under 16s have emerged victorious, for the second year in succession, in the Devon Cup final against their closest Devon rivals Crediton.

A packed Ivybridge club house and touch line witnessed a thrilling culmination to the junior rugby playing careers of this talented squad of local young men.

Tragedy beckoned early for Kings after losing talismanic scrum-half Fynn McCoy within minutes of the kick-off, as well as conceding six early points.

Step forward George Rivas into an unaccustomed role and Angus Johnstone off the bench. Both were superb and launched the blue riposte.

Matty Allen punched a hole in the Crediton defence before gliding half the length of the pitch for a try. Crediton struck back immediately with a try of their own and, despite camping on the Crediton line, Kings could not manage another score before half time.

Tension grew in the crowd, but the fight back was about to begin.

Tom Woods threw brilliantly into the line-outs for jumpers Freddie Buckle and Stuart Harris to win throw after throw.

Big beasts Greg Luckhurst, Pete Sumner, Dan Jarvis and Myles Fowler toiled in the tight and the loose to batter away at a strong Crediton defence. Jack Fergusson and Ben King feasted like hyenas on scraps of possession that Tom Putt used well.

It was from this skill set that the deadlock was broken, as the majestic Joe Banfield glided and smashed his way to a superb try that lifted the Kingsbridge crowd.

Putt dropped a goal before the incredible Stuart Harris collected a Putt kick ahead to touch down in front of a gleeful crowd and seal the match.

Michael Carson and Seb Ansley were superb in defence and attack, while the bench of Jamie Ogglesby, Tom Moysey, Charlie Rawlinson and Liam Edgcombe all helped Kingsbridge to a Devon Cup double and Fisherman's Cup legacy.

This team were superbly moulded and guided by dedicated coach Jason Putt.