Vs Tiegnmouth Home match report

Honiton triumphed 22-10 on Saturday afternoon against Teignmouth at Allhallows. The win, Honiton’s third over Teignmouth in less than 12 months closed the gap between the sides to four points, with Honiton having two games in hand.

This game marked the start of period of four home games on the trot for the Lacemen in what is an essential part of the season. The home side started in buoyant mood, kicking down the slope in the first period.

However it was the visitors who started the better, receiving the ball before working their way up field. Honiton gave away a needless penalty in the centre of the field just out side the twenty two, but visiting fly half Matt Moses failed to convert his chance.

Honiton then took the initiative and kicked on. The set piece, which operated well both at the scrimmage and lineout gave Channing and predominantly Meadows the opportunity to steer the Lacemen in to dangerous territory. As it was, a set piece on the right hand side of the field saw player coach Channing set up a ruck in the middle of the field, good support generated quick ball, which allowed Meadows to pick out full back Rice. He beat the first line of defenders with his running angle before dodging the next with a good side step. The covering defence finally grabbed him, but not before he had gained sufficient momentum to carry himself across the line for the games opening score. Meadows converted well from twenty plus yards left of the posts.

Honiton began to dominate the game and put pressure on the visitors scrimmage. The next score came as Honiton won a scrummage of their own, and the decent platform gave number eight Rice the structure he needed for a pick and go effort. From the right hand side of the field he galavanted left and forwards towards and through the first line of defence before offloading to the supporting Kenny on his right. Kenny’s short burst drew the defence before he cleverly passed to the supporting open side Norman. Norman cantered in from fifteen yards for a well deserved try. Meadows converted superbly from out wide to give Honiton a fourteen point cushion.

Sensible kicking, good hussling defence and a superior scrimmage allowed the Rice brothers and Kenny to create space for the third try of the game down the right. Meadows this time unfortunate with the conversion.

Honiton couldn’t add to their 19 points before half time, and so at the turnaround the Lacemen were in confident mood.

After the break Teignmouth came back into it as Honiton’s scrimmage rocked and the visitors used the slope. Honiton defended stoutly for long periods before loosing Dobson to the sin bin. Teignmouth scored two tries shortly afterwards, but neither were converted.

Honiton needed to steady the ship and they did so with an excellent penalty kick from Meadows. Honiton were the brighter in the closing stages, even with number eight Rice in the bin for needless back chat.

Honiton face Tiverton in a mid week Devon Intermediate Cup game, so please try and make the effort to travel up to mid Devon to support the boys. 7pm kick off.