1st XV
Matches
Sat 27 Apr 2019
Honiton RFC
1st XV
Tries: K Blackmore, J Rice, B Webber, R Price, N Hannay (2)Conversions: T Steer (5)Penalties: T Steer (2)
46
7
Plymouth Old Public Oaks
Objective two done

Objective two done

Jeremy Rice29 Apr 2019 - 08:59
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Second best Devon side dispatched in style!


By Justin Nuttall

Devon intermediate shield final
It what has already been an amazing season for Honiton RFC, on Saturday they had the small matter of entertained Plymouth Old Public Oaks in the final of the Devon Intermediate shield.
In front of a large crowd on what was a bright but very blustery day Honiton started off proceedings by kicking off down the slope. The kick was not gathered and was in fact knock on by the visitors and from the resulting scrum the ball was swung across the backs for Kyle Blackmore to score under the posts. Tom Steer converted and after just two minutes Honiton were 7-0 up.
From the restart Honiton moved the ball back down the field and eventually Alex Brooks kicked for a positional touch in "clubhouse" corner. Honiton stole the line out which saw Honiton power over the line only for Nathan Hannay to be rightly adjudged to have been held up over the line. A penalty from the resulting 5 metre scrum saw Tom Steer kick for goal and he knocked over the kick to pile on the pressure.
From the kick off the ball was spun left for Adam Thompson to break the defensive line, he fed Jake Smith who, when checked passed inside to the supporting Josh Rice who cantered in unopposed under the sticks. Steer added the easy extras which meant with just 15 minutes gone the Ton were 17 points to the good.
Honiton continued to move the ball about at will and a further penalty from Tom Steer extended their lead to 20-0.
It didn’t take long for Honiton to increase their lead and a great break by Josh Rice saw him feed Ben Webber who was in space and scorched in from long range on the left, unfortunately the conversion fell short in the strong wind but the score was now an impressive 25-0 to the Ton.
The next home score came from Rob Price who finished well after a great step and dummy by the veteran Nick Guilbert who was perhaps reviving his days of old , as an outside half. Tom Steer added the conversion which meant Honiton were at half time 32-0 up and really it was over as a contest!
With the second half underway Honiton received the kick off and moved the ball up field and after several phases player coach Nathan Hannay went in under the posts to continue the route and with an easy conversion, the score ticked on to 39-0.
Plymstock regrouped and were rewarded for their endeavours when their hooker scoop up a fumbled ball and score wide right, the conversion attempt was successful and the scoreboard read 39-7.
Kyle Blackmore broke up field only to be halted illegally and from the penalty Nathan Hannay got his second try of the game with Steer adding a great conversion from out wide the advantage moved on to 46-7. With the result not in doubt Honiton emptied their strong bench and played out the remainder of the half at a canter. 
Plymstock did get their second try of the game when they broke left and scored out wide but it was only really a consolation score. There was five minutes left on the clock , the ref offered Oaks an early finish which they accepted so the final score was an impressive 46-12 victory for the Ton. Skipper Will Goulden held the shield high after the presentation in front of a large appreciative home crowd.
This rather one sided win means the Ton has gone the whole year with out a defeat to a Devon side. It was a victory achieved by an impressive team who have now completed two of their seasons objectives, gaining promotion and winning the Devon cup. Player coach Nathan Hannay was fittingly given the man of the match award but he'd be quick to praise his squad for all their hard work.
There is still the small matter of the National Senior Vase final to come and next Sunday this game, against the North's champions, North Allerton takes place at Rugby's HQ at Twickenham!. It will be the biggest game in the clubs history and a once in a life time experience for a side who have worked hard all year to realise this dream. Momentum is growing and there will be a large contingent of Honiton supporters making the trip to support them on the day.

Match details

Match date

Sat 27 Apr 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

484
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Alexander Paul Kitchens
Club Sponsor - B! Health and Fitness
Senior Kit Sponsor - Otter Brewery
Senior Kit Sponsor - Synergy Farm Health
Senior Kit Sponsor - Jewsons
Senior Kit Sponsor - Westcotts
Senior Kit Sponsor - everys solicitors
Senior Kit Sponsor - Ultim8 Construction
Club Sponsor - Combe Farm Shop