A win at last!

At last… something for the faithful to cheer about.. a win!

Honiton’s slow improvement over the last few week continued and at last they notched up their first win of the season against mid table Hayle but as usual it was tight and there there was hearts in mouths as the game ended in near darkness. A mix up with the referee meant the start was delayed for 15 minutes and with a first half lasting a mere 53 minutes because of stoppages, light was always going to be an issue at the end of the game on what was a very wet and gloomy afternoon.

Honiton started brightly and despite being against a strong wind they had first use of theinfamous Allhallows slope and as is the way, you need to get ahead. Honiton did have the lions share of the posession in the first quarter and seemed to be camped in the visitors half. After a good passage of play veteran lock Nick Guilbert crashed over from short range and Ben Webber knocked over the easy extras to go 7 up.

Honiton added to their total on the 30 minute mark when ill dicipline from the visitors saw two of their players in the sin bin and the numbers advantage was exploited well when the ball was swung wide to Kyle Blackmore to dot down. With Webber adding a penalty Honiton went into the break 15-0 up and looking good for the first victory or so they thought.

The second half started badly for the Lacemen as the visitors scored and early try and Honiton were starting to have to look over their shoulder when Hayle added a penalty to their total. As the gloom got worse Ben webber steady the ship with a penalty but Hayle pressed and having had two near misses their goal kicker slotted the third to get them to 13-18 and one score. On came the floodlights and with influnentual eight Josh Rice being put in the bin with six minutes to go in was nothing but backs to the wall for the lacemen as Hayle threw everythig at them to try and score, to a man the “ton” defended as if lives depended on it.

Eventually in near darkness the whistle went and the joy on the luckless Lacemen was clear to see. It was a hard ground out 18-13 victory but given their clear advantage in the first half it would have been yet another crule blow if they had lost this one and if being fair they were the better side on the day . There was a lot of team sprit on the day and the win sees them move off the bottom of the table.

The tough campaingn continues on the road next week with a trip down to deepest darkest Cornwall as they visit Falmouth. Special mention does go to Honiton Kicker Benny (boom boom) Webber who played his last game before he starts his “down under” gap year!