Athletic claim victory over Crediton

Exeter Athletic Women 15
Crediton Women 10

Amy Garnett at Oil Mill Lane

Exeter Athletic claimed a hard-fought 15-10 victory over Crediton in their latest fixture at Oil Mill Lane.

In a tight first half, it was the visitors who started the stronger, laying siege on the Athletic line with some big carries and nifty footwork out wide.

Exeter, though, held firm and having soaked up the early pressure threatened themselves with Clair Hobbs linking superbly with Arial Darling, only for the hooker to be thwarted as she closed in on the score.

At the other end, Crediton were pushing hard and they were finally rewarded with a try, which gave them a slender 5-0 lead.

The second half began strongly for Athletic, who didn’t take long to restore parity. Some strong carries through the middle from the home pack saw hot ball created for the Exeter backs to create the opening for winger Ruby Wilkinson to score in the corner.

Shortly after and Athletic were in front, a slick handling move created the opening for Tilly Burn to claim the home side’s second try.

Momentum appeared well and truly with Athletic who added a third try when Kikinay Kemp produced a powerful run through the middle to make it 15-5.

Crediton needed to find a response quickly, which they did by claiming a second try, but despite putting immense pressure on their rivals in the closing stages, Athletic’s defence held firm for a well-deserved victory.