Home Win Torquay 1st xv

Honiton maintained their perfect league campaign with an impressive home win against the much hyped Torquay Athletic who had run out 99-0 winners against Hayle last week.
Honiton started playing down the slope to clubhouse corner and began the game with an intensity and desire the opposition could not match. Dominating in both attack and defensive Honiton opened the scoring with a try by Ben Small under the posts after just two minutes of the game, this was converted by Ben Webber to give a 7-0 lead. It took a further 15 minutes for Honiton to breach the line again with Wes Keywood scoring put on the left after strong runs from Nathan Hannay and Ben Small. Webber pushed his conversion attempt just wide of the posts. It didn’t take much longer for Honiton to extend their lead with Nathan Hannay barging over from close range after a good break by Ben Small supported by Robert Price and Will Goulden. Webber was successful with the conversion and Honiton held a 19-0 lead after twenty minutes of the game.
Honiton continued to force errors from Torquay with sustained defensive line speed, this forced a turnover and Nathan Hannay scored his second try of the game after Wes Keywood picked a spilled ball and fed Hannay who cantered over from outside the twenty two meter line. Webber was unfortunately wide with his conversion attempt. Ben Small got his second try supporting Josh Rice who ran nicely on to another precise pass from Alex Brooks. He went over near the posts giving Webber an easy conversion attempt which he duly accepted and at half time Honiton had secured a bonus point with a 31-0 lead.
The second half was a more closely fought encounter with Torquay coming back in to the game maintaining possession for sustained periods but unable to breach the strong Honiton defence. Webber kicked a penalty after 15 minutes of the second half to give Honiton 34-0 lead. The Torquay fight back continued with sustained pressure leading to a try on the left and 10 minutes later a second to bring the score to 34-12. The game was however out of reach by this point and the home team utilised the great home support from the large crowd to seal a five bonus point win for two weeks in a row to sit on the top spot in the Devon and Cornwall league. Man of the match went to Ben Small for a excellent performance both with the ball in hand and some very strong defensive work. We will have to wait a fortnight to see if the Ton can continue their perfect start when they entertain Hayle at The Allhallows.