Honiton out muscled by strong Withy side

By Roger Dance

After last weeks success at Allhallows Honiton had a tough ask to go to top three side Withycombe who, with 2 games in hand are a good bet to win the league. With a fixtures backlog the home side switched the venue to near by Bicton College to ensure the game went ahead as there home ground Raleigh Park was waterlogged.

Honiton got off to a bad start and leaked a try with just three minutes on the clock and things looked ominous but Honiton rallied and after a couple of good passages of play the Lacemen put Joe Briggs clear and with a two on one he executed it well to put Kyle Blackmore in for a try in the corner. Withycombe though are a well drilled side and have a big physical pack and they continued to be a hand full for the Lacemen for the rest of the half and despite defending well Honiton conceded two more tries before half time, turning round 19-5 down.

Honiton worked hard in the second half and went close on a couple of occasions but the home side have a good set of wide men and score a couple of tries from long range when Honiton were attacking. The physicality took its toll and there was an scuffle between the forwards after an alleged stamping on number 8 Josh Rice but with order restored Withycombe powered on to scored their third try of the half to put them well clear but Honiton hung in there and were rewarded with a late consolation try by Honiton's man of the match James Coutts, Adam Thompson converted the score.

The final score of 40-12 was perhaps a little tough on the Lacemen as they produced a lot of good work through out the afternoon but, credit where credit is due, the Seasiders were a good out fit with an ability to turn defensive situations into long range scores. Add to this a well drilled and robust physical nature they were worthy winners and look good promotion candidates. For Honiton it's a case of "that ones out of the way" and with lessons learnt from the encounter this will help as they go into next weeks vital game against fellow strugglers Exeter Saracens at Allhallows.