Hayle Pale as Withies Win First of 2018

"New year, new me" as the saying goes, and with the end of 2017 not being a particularly good end for the Green and Blacks, the old adage couldn't have been more appropriate. Like a 1985 Ford Escort with distributor problems, Withycombe's misfiring on the pitch needed fixing and getting back to firing on all cylinders. With the timing set up and the distributor cap cleaned, Withycombe came back with a bang after the Christmas break to send Hayle home with nothing but an oily rag.

With Raleigh Park being extremely rain sodden, it wouldn't take long for the conditions to deteriorate noticeably. the Withies were playing up the slope and against a slight wind. Early play was dictated by the home side, and with a slight advantage in the scrum it appeared that it would be mostly "front eight rugby". Hayle had other ideas though. With most of the first half played in the middle of the pitch, there were very few opportunities from either side in a classic stalemate. On their two forays into Withy territory through some good moves from their backs, Hayle had two shots at goal, both of which were missed. On thirty five minutes they did kick one to go three nil up, only for Withycombe to strike back with a vengeance.

With a returning Scott Burgan in the back row and Alex Taylor from injury, go forward wasn't too much of an issue. Withies went up the slope, and with another solid scrum ten metres from the try line, Taylor broke, fed the awaiting John Parkin, who hit Sam Conway right out on the touchline, who dived over to score Withies first try. Hayle would kick another penalty before the half to make it 6-5, and that would wrap up a first half of extremely slim pickings in what was turning into a defensive slugfest!

Withycombe started the second half like the proverbial off a shovel. Five minutes in, and that's right, you guessed it, off of a scrum penalty, Alex Taylor broke and went himself for Withies second with Sam Conway kicking the extras. Eight minutes later and Conway would kick a penalty to further the Green and Blacks lead to nine at 15-6. The astute defence from both sides was made even more apparent with the pitch turning into a quagmire! (Giggidy) With the surface under foot worsening, Hale managed just one more penalty at goal as they struggled to make the final steps towards the try line. Danny Sansom was his usual "stonewall" in defence, whilst the returning Rob Griffin preyed on Hayle like his mythical creature namesake.

That being said, Griffin was maybe over zealousness earned him a yellow card for collapsing a maul, and had a resat for ten minutes. Hayle didn't make the numerical difference count as once again the home defence held firm. To liven the game up, John Parkin tapped and went from a penalty and scrambled his way downfield, the forage to line just being snuffed out. Hayle had another dart at goal from a penalty, but again it went begging, and it would come down tot he forwards again to set the platform for Withies last try.

With a penalty five metres out, and only minutes to go, the entirety of Raleigh Park knew what was coming next. A scrum was called, and as both teams packed down, the Withy Express started chugging ever closer to the line. Andrew Dudley, Liam Cullen, Max Cooke, Rob Griffin and Mark Wilkinson worked tirelessly all game in the scrums, and as such Hayle's attempts to stop the rot were futile. With that, Taylor bagged his second of the match with an armchair ride touchdown! The extras were missed, but the game was over, and Withycombe came out 20-9 victors in a game where Hayle, who's resilient play can only be applauded, couldv'e been so much closer if not for some missed kicks. However, the Withies were back to winning ways, and you'll always take winning momentum however it may appear!

Withycombe's 2nd XV got a very good "on the road" victory against Crediton 3rd's. taking a bare 15 with them, they managed to turn over the Kurton boys in their own back yard. Dan Carey got on the score sheet after Withycombe got a penalty from a scrum. And fly half Stef Richards scored a try and converted both to give Withy 2's a 14-7 win.