Match Preview

Christmas has come early! The Otters travel over the hill to Sidmouth this weekend and what an early Christmas present it promises to be!

With a long history of local rivalry, any Honiton player looks out for this fixture at the start of the season and as luck would have it, fixtures secretary Churchward as pulled out a Christmas cracker to deliver this in time for the festive season. However, any good tidings of comfort and joy will be thrown out of the window come Saturday when the 2 teams lock horns in what will no doubt be a fiesty clash.

Sidmouth have come out on top in recent times, however the Otters know that they have it in them to dish out a beating as they did on the opening day of the season a few years ago. On that day it was one of the best performances of the Otters season, and whilst they will need to be at a similar level this time round to give themselves an opportunity, the players available are more than capable of putting on a show and bringing home the victory.

Team news and front row continues from last time out with Finnley Blackmore slotting between Ben Way and Phil Bird. The Second Row sees Mr Honiton/Father Christmas Tom Churchward pack down with the returning Will Lancaster. Young blood Jason Hannay steps in at 6 alongside Robert Price with stalwart Austin Elliott at 8.

Phil Bennett starts at 9 with Andy Canniford back to his familiar position of Fly Half. Rob Bennett and Josh Tatlock form a new centre partnership and will be keen to show what they can do from the middle of the field. The back 3 will look to make things happen with their gas on the wings from young Sam Platten and not so young Ben Welch. The latter is a particular fan of this fixture and will be chomping at the bit to take to the field and reacquaint himself with the old foe. Dan Garman sures things up from the back at 15.

A large (in more ways that one) bench will be available to Honiton which is an indicator of how much the boys look forward to this one. James Foot plays against Sidmouth for the 999th time in his career, and is joined by the rest of the Hannay brothers, Dan Palfrey, Simon Lancaster, Andy Easton, Harry Mallett and Finn Parratt.

In case you hadn't noticed, this is a big fixture for the Otters and with it being the final game before Christmas, let's hope for a classic match between 2 great rivals... and a big away win!

#UTT