Honiton go down to strong St Ives outfit

Honiton’s trip down to St Ives on Saturday was punctuated with several calls to check if the game was actually going ahead as nearly all the other games in the league were cancelled. On arrival the pitch was as expected heavy and actually resembled a marsh and to many it was un-playable but given the alternative of having to travelling back down again, the game went ahead. The other strange factor was that at ground level there was slight protection from the gale but if the ball was kicked more than ten feet up in the air the strong cross wind tended to change the direction of the ball in flight and send it miles the other way.

For Honiton even with out the conditions, it was always going to be a daunting task as the hosts are currently in a strong position lying second in the league on points difference and this is even with a 5 point penalty deduction and they also boast one of the strongest set of forwards in the division. Unperturbed Honiton started brightly and with the wind slightly to their advantage they worked hard to deal with, was proved to be a well drilled and organised side. The home side opened the scoring with a well worked try but Honiton bounced back when a missed clearance kick presented Phil Bennett with an opportunist try. The home side rallied and scored again and with the half ending at 12-5 Honiton had more than played their part in a slog in the mud.

Soaked to the skin, Honiton’s half time huddle was more a case of trying to keep warm whilst the home side left the field of play only to return in a brand new set of dry shirts and with the use of the wind they took full advantage. St Ives scored early on but and interception try from young Will Tyres did rattle them and with 20 minutes to go the seasiders were only one score up 19-12 but with conditions deteriorating and Honiton suffering a succession of injuries the last quarter saw the Lacemen fall away as the big St Ives forwards took control. They scored three push over tries from set scrums and with Honiton then down to 13 men for the final 5 minutes there was a further score to produce a disappointing end score line.

The final score of 43-12 didn’t really reflect Honiton’s effort and for three quarters of the game they were very much in it but once again playing rugby when you can’t really stand up in what was a quagmire and being freezing cold as well all round it was tough. It was never going to be a game Honiton expected to get anything out yet they did rattle the home side and there was praise afterward from the opposition for their endeavour. There were several gutsy performances from several of the Lacemen and with that as a platform Honiton clearly have something to build on as they fight to get away from the wrong end of the division.

Next Saturday, weather permitting, Honiton entertain Bodmin and with home advantage and only a narrow defeat in the away game there is optimism in the camp of getting a result and I’m sure with good support from the town’s folk this can only help with the cause