Ton maul the Lions in thier own den.

Honiton move into second spot!

Honiton took to the road this week and travelled all the way down to Hayle for their league fixture. Fair to say Hayle have struggled this season but for the Ton it’s never an easy trip to this venue and the Home side looked strong up front.
Honiton kicked off in to Hayle territory and won the aerial collision and from that point they controlled the possession well. The patient build up eventually released Harry Wright who neatly put Will Tyers in for the first try of the day and all with out the opposition having actually touched the ball. Ollie Cave knocked over the easy conversation for a great start. Hayle restarted but straight away were awarded a penalty for Honiton "not rolling away". This was dully kick to reduce the arrears to 7-3 after with just 8 minutes played.
Normal service was resumed when the Lacemen were soon on the score sheet again. A good break from James Couttes was linking with Tyers who in turn, fed inside to Adam Thompson to get in unopposed under the sticks.
A familiar pattern was starting to develop and from a poor clearance Steve Trenchard claimed it and moved it quickly, the ball was transferred through several pairs of hands across the field for Tyers to ghosts in on the other side of the field for his second try and frankly, Honiton were very much in control and to that end, they then spent the rest of the half camped in the Hayle Lions half. Maybe the Ton weren’t that clinical enough with finishing and were also disrupted when Ben Logan had to leave the field with a chest injury. This meant it wasn't until just before half time that Honiton got on the score sheet again. This time it was Robert Price who latched on to a drive from coach Hannay and he crashed over from short range. Cave converted and Honiton turned around 28-3 to the good. Unfortunately Nathan Hannay was injured in the drive and was to play no further part in the days proceedings.
Now playing against a stiff breeze things could have been difficult for the Ton but being positive they swung the ball about and a good backs move saw Tyers cut a good line and he again showed a clean pair of heels to slice through the defence for his hatrick score. Cave slotted again for what was now a comfortable 35-3 lead.
Honiton kept the pressure up and after a failed clearance the ball was run back with force from Trenchard and Jake Smith and from the ruck five yards out Josh Rice crashed over on the blindside. Cave missed the goal for the first time with a difficult touch line kick.
Tails were up and a loose Hayle pass was neatly gathered by Smith who raced in from the halfway line and really that was the nail hammered in.
Back on the attack Ton again had a good break from Ollie Cave, he made yards and with support options left and right he delivered a great pass for Thompson to canter in for his brace. The final score came from a good break from Honiton’s “play maker” Alex Brooks, he shipped inside to Trenchard and there was no stopping him with ball in hand as he streaked away for the final score.

This was a convincing 3-57 win on the road with the opposition never really looking like scoring. With three injuries which we hope aren't too serious, taking a strong bench was key and Watts, Bailey and Smith slotted in with out problems and just shows how a squad system should work.
If there was any areas of concern on what was a very profitable day out, it was in the set piece and in particular the lineouts which just didn't seem to click. None the less, it was a great team effort and it's fair to say the Ton do have some good players running about at the moment and with lots of good performances form individuals, there were some very good selfless tries dotted down which was pretty to watch through out the afternoon. Great to see Ben Small and Robert Bulldog Price back in action and they were at their robust best. Brooks as ever, controlled the show well and his hand kicking was spot on but if we have to pick, the man of the match award it went to Will Tyers for some great finishing skills.

Ton are now in second spot!

Home next week v local rivals Withycombe.