Return to action this week for new Withycombe U14s in 16/17 Season.

First competitive game of the season saw Withy take on Torquay in the first round of the Devon Cup at Raleigh Park. Torquay opened strongly making use of their noticeably superior size and weight. This early pressure was soon rewarded with an unconverted try, 0-5 to Torquay following a penalty move from the visitors.

Withy battled fiercely against the sizeable opposition with a courageous high tackle count. Torquay's repeated infringement at the break down then saw them lose some momentum as they were rightly penalised on several occasions. Withycombe took full advantage of this with strong individual running and slick handling from the successive restarts. The game then swung in Withies favour as 4 successive tries were run in making it 20 : 5 at the break.

Torquay re grouped in the second half with the slope behind them and began to re exert some pressure, interspersed with good Withy phases in reply. However, the second period saw two more Withy tries to Torquay's sole reply. Final Score 32 : 12 to Withycombe.

A great start to the season with a near full squad turning up for the first game. Excellent home tackling and handling put the bigger Torquay lads to task. Next round Kingsbridge away.

Withy Try Scorers: Will Cornish (1), Tom Real (1), Matt Shaw-Smith (1), Tom Humphry (1), Matt Rye (1), Matt Hicks (1)

Withy Conversions: Matt Rye (1)

Men of the Match: Will Cornish (forwards), Finn Musgrove (backs) - both for unrelenting work