1st XV
Matches
Sat 18 Jan 2020  ·  Tribute Western Counties West
Wellington
41
10
Honiton RFC
1st XV
Tries: J HouseConversions: O CavePenalties: O Cave
Ton go down to top side Wellington

Ton go down to top side Wellington

Jeremy Rice20 Jan 2020 - 16:32
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Despite putting up a good show quick fire scores "do" for Honiton.

Saturday saw Honiton take the daunting task of playing league leaders Wellington in a tough encounter in Somerset. Whilst the recent rain made things a little stick underfoot, the sun was out and there was no wind so conditions were ideal for winter rugby.
Playing down the park Honiton received the kick off and started solidly and early exchanges around the half way line saw Honiton enjoy a fair share of possession with both defences holding their own.
Unfortunately several penalties to the home side saw them pressure the Honiton try line and they looked odds on to score from 5 metre line outs and scrums on the home line but The Ton defence stood firm and they were able to parry the attacks effectively despite the pressure. ill-discipline was hurting Honiton and despite their defensive efforts they conceded the first points of the afternoon with penalty so it was 3-0 after twenty minutes played.
Honiton came back strongly and only a couple of spilled passes in key phases preventing them getting a score but the league leaders capitalised on this and having got back in to the Honiton twenty some relentless pressure saw their power play gain the first try of the game and with the kick going over, Wellington were 10 points to the good on the half hour mark but it's fair to say Honiton were holding their own.

Honiton got their first score of the day with a penalty through Ollie Cave 10-3 after a high tackle on Johnny House but from the restart and aggressive attack and quick recycling allowed space for their 14 to stepped inside to beat the defence. The conversion was missed and it was 15-3 just before half time. Unfortunately Wellington were not done and great break by their "live wire" 7 saw him feed the supporting scrum half who scored wide right. The try was converted giving a half time score of 20-3 to the home side and frankly didn't really reflect the general run of play in the first half.

Now playing down the slope Wellington started well and looked strong in attack and with 10 minutes played they powered over for the bonus point score and at 27-3 they looked like they would run away with things but credit to the Honiton players, they didn't let their heads drop and they then enjoyed a period of sustained pressure and were also looking strong in the set piece. On one occasion from a five metre scrum they pushed the ball over the line but were unable to secure the touchdown and a try went begging but the pressure remained but they just couldn't score. Then to rub salt into the wound on a rare trip into Honiton's half after the 20 minutes of pressure up the other end, the home side scored again to go 34-3 up.
Honiton responded well and having got near the line Johnny House made a good break and scored to the right of the posts for a deserved score and Ollie Cave converted to bring it back to 34-10.
As the whistle beckoned a kick ahead by the Ton was unfortunately returned with interest and the ball went through several hands and their fourteen scored under the posts so the final score was 41-10.

There is no doubt the home side deserved the win but even the home support watching would admit the score didn't reflect the general pattern of the game and for large parts Honiton more than held their own in the contest but the home side took their chances well. There were some great performances from the Ton and leading from the front skipper Louis Groves was the Ton's man of the match.
This loss puts Honiton very much in the mire but on the last two performances against top half sides there is hope of survival.

Match details

Match date

Sat 18 Jan 2020

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

Tribute Western Counties West

League position

1
Wellington
14
Honiton
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