Withycombe blew away the winter cobwebs with a bonus point win over strugglers Honiton. The Green & Black had been out of league action for 5 weeks following the January deluge, and the rustiness showed in the opening exchanges as a chopsy Honiton side made life difficult for them.

Withies did nudge themselves in front early. Tom Steer's penalty kick to the corner couldn't have been better placed, but the forwards couldn't make the territory count as the visitors stymied the rolling maul. They didn't manage to clear their lines though as shortly after Mike Richards picked from a scrum 5 to score what could easily be his longest range try of the season to open the scoring. Honiton's disruptive spirit kept Wthycombe on their toes, and they scored a try of their own out wide on 15 minutes. Withycombe hit back immediately, winning a penalty and going through multiple phases from the ensuing lineout before John Parkin sniped from close range to restore Withycombe's 7-point lead.

Honiton's indiscretions at the breakdown continued and on 25 minutes their luck ran out as they had a man sent to the sin bin. Withy extended their lead as debutant Jack Downie worked enough space to give Adam Morris the scoring pass, Withycombe heading into the break 19-5 up.

The second half would be an all-Tom affair; three Tom Pugsley tries and three Tom Steer conversions would see Withycombe home and although they would spend a lot of time defending, Honiton struggled to break the home side down. Chris Gibbons set the first try in motion from a turnover, feeding Tom Counsell whose exquisitely timed pass put Pugsley in for his first. Neil Williams was sin binned shortly afterwards but 14-man Withycombe held out and Pugsley scored twice on the break to well and truly put the game to bed. Honiton were fortunate not to concede more as Withycombe let a couple of 2-on-1s go to waste late in the game, but credit them for playing to the last as they got themselves a consolation try with the last play of the game. Withycombe travel to Hayle next week before resuming their quest in the RFU senior vase on February 6th as they travel to Yatton. Places on a supporters bus are available, please contact Nigel Symons for details.