Match Preview

By Justin Nut
Falmouth v Honiton
Honiton made the long trip down to Cornwall to play a crunch match against the team above them in the league and with several other games abandoned because of the extreme weather Honiton were surprised it was on but a near gale wind had managed to dry the surface a bit and conditions under foot were not to be the problem and it was the gale that was to prove difficult for both sides through out the game.
Falmouth kicked off playing against the gale and to emphasise the wind problems the kick off ball went straight out on full. From the resulting scrum Honiton moved the ball in field and they were rewarded with a penalty for offside, Ollie Cave knocked over and Honiton held a 0-3 lead after three minutes.
Falmouth from the restart pressed the Honiton line but stern defence saw them parry the attack and work their way back up field. Another penalty saw Ollie Cave try for goal but it just went wide in the gale.
Honiton got the first try of the game through fullback Kyle Blackmore who was on the end of a good back line move to score wide right, the conversion attempt sailed just wide and Honiton were 0-8 up after twenty minutes.
After some sustained pressure from the home side they got back in to the game with a try through their forwards to the right of the post, the conversion fell short being kicked straight in to the gale so it was 5-8 after 27 minutes.
Honiton edged possession and territory toward the end of the first half and were dominant in the scrum department but they were unable to get on the scoreboard again and at half time they held a slender 5-8 lead now having to play into the elements.
Honiton started the second half with the same purpose in which they ended the first, unfortunately mistakes in possession were preventing them getting a score that they needed.
The continued pressure finally saw Honiton rewarded with a try when Ollie Cave finished well after a good delayed pass from Alex Brooks, the conversion fell short and after twenty minutes of the second half Honiton were 5-13 up.
Honiton continued to dominate and the home side weren’t helped when their hooker was yellow carded for not retreating ten metres.
Against the run of play Falmouth got over for their second try of the game again through their forwards, the conversion was missed but with the score at 10-13 things were getting tense and with the mother of all hale storms showers conditions were very difficult.
A harsh yellow card for David Morales meant Honiton we’re down to 14 and with time running out Falmouth got level at 13 a price with a penalty after Honiton were penalised again at the breakdown which was again harsh. Honiton way into over time, had their line battered and despite defending very well disastrously they gave away a penalty and the home kicker converted it to secure the narrow 16-13 win and once again this season, the opposition stole the victory from a battling Ton.
Honiton were some what bemused by the length of time played in the second half which was clocked at 53 minutes and with both penalties kicked in this over time period Honiton justifiably felt hard done by and could only conclude the official as some stage forgot to restart his clock as there was never 13 minutes of delays in the play but they will have to live with this as there relegation battle continues. It was great to see Club skipper Harry Wright back in action after a long injury lay off and to be fair Honiton played well for long periods of the game and despite their disappointment there were a lot of positives from a game that was played in extreme conditions. They must now lick wounds and dig deep for the 5 remaining games.

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