Withies Knock Up Fifty Burger of Their Own

Withycombe hosted Torrington on Saturday afternoon at Raleigh Park. Withycombe, having not played for two weeks, were looking to move on from their last win against Tavistock, and looking for points as the big boys at the top of the league keep winning with bonus points. Torrington, who reside at the other end of the table, have found life in the Cornwall and Devon league fairly tough this season with just two points.

There was a minute silence before kick off in remembrance of Jack Skinner, who sadly passed away last week. Jack was always a lively figure and hugely popular character around the club for many years, and all our condolences go to the Skinner family at this time.

Withycombe Match Secretary Neil Price was quoted as saying that Torrington will be "tough up front" and that Withycombe, at no point, could "rest on their laurels".

Withycombe played down the slope in the first half, and down they went with no second invite. Unfortunately, within minutes of the kick off, Withycombe centre Andy Broadhurst went down injured. It would turn out to be a broken ankle, and we would like to wish Andy a speedy recovery. Five minutes later and a loose kick by Torrington would see centre Carl Saunders collect and dive over in the corner for the Withies frist try.

On eighteen minutes Saunders would turn provider. His break through the defence and off load to Sam Conway would allow fly half Joe Satt to squeeze through two defenders and dot down for Withycombes second. Conway converted to make it 12-0. On the half hour mark, Number 8 Alex Taylor was causing chaos. His break and ship to Adam Morris would open it up for back rower Connor Gilby to emphatically touch down for the Green and Blacks third try. Satt kicked the extras and the teams would turnaround 19-0 at the half.

Going up the slope, it would be Torrington to get the first score of the second half. With a penalty just inside Withycombes half! But Withycombe would go back to their bread and butter, the scrum. The front row of Andrew Dudley, Liam Cullen and Phil Sluman started to turn the screw up in the top corner of the pitch. Powerhouses Rob Griffin and Mark Wilkinson in the engine were chugging away to boot! And after three reset scrums, the ref duly went under the posts for a penalty try and a huge cheer from the Green and Black touchline, just reward for all their efforts, the scores sitting at 26-3.

From another scrum came the next try, a scrum that only had Withycombe players in it by the end! Taylor off loaded to Conway, who put boot to ball with space in behind. Who else would get on the end that Rob Hayes, the elusive winger getting the rub of the green as the ball popped up into his hands and he darted over for the first of his brace.

On fifty four minutes, a moment of magic. Mark Wilkinson was in the thick of it again. His pass to Joe Parkin allowed some room for Parkin up the touchline. One on one with the Torrington winger, and some feet you'd see on Strictly Come Dancing, Parkin jinked his way around in the space of a phone box! He popped inside to Adam Morris who went over for another score to make it 36-3.

Parkin was in the action again as he picked up a pass from Torrington, eventually putting in Alex Taylor for a try of his own. Eight minutes later and the Withycombe backs were running riot. Sam Conway broke on the outside, and just metres from the line threw a recovery pass wide. Rob Hayes' quick thinking (and feet) meant he danced through in the corner untouched for his second, and leaving the Green and Blacks just short of fifty points.

However, there was time for one more try. Some loose play in the midfield led to winger Tom White getting the ball. The towering youngster put his foot on the gas, and bullied his way through three attempted tacklers as he majestic forty metre run towards Clubhouse Corner left the home fans elated as he "took it to the house" to absolute pandemonium! The last try was converted as Withycombe chalked another victory, the final score 53-3.

Withycombe 1st XV take on league leaders Penryn in Cornwall as they look towards another huge battle in the Cornwall and Devon league. Withycombe 2nd XV take on Wessex at the home of rugby, Raleigh Park.