Withycombe U14's entertained Topsham Dark Blues last Sunday in their first game of the new season.
A dominant performance saw them defeat their visitors 41 points to 5.
The match kicked off, and within three minutes the young green and blacks scored the first try of the game. They gathered the ball at the first opportunity and a few rucks later Scrum Half Charlie Passmore picked up from the base and sniped home from close range. Winger Harry Bennett slotted the conversion from wide out.
Withys were looking after the ball well, cleaning out in the rucks and passing the ball through the hands in the back line. More sustained pressure in the Tops half saw centre Alfie Gillard cut through a gap to the line. Bennett added the extras.
The pattern continued, the home side did not let Topsham settle, and soon afterwards the strong running Jude Baker-Hands, playing his first game for the club in the centre, powered through the defence, side stepped passed the last two defenders and scored his side's third try. Bennett duly added the conversion.
From the resulting kick off, prop Joseph Tapp came onto the ball at pace, a clever pass back inside put Topsham under pressure. The ball was passed quickly along the back line, and quick feet by Baker-Hands saw him through a gap. He then put Bennet through to score in the corner.
Topsham then began to apply pressure of their own. They cleverly kicked a penalty to the corner, and after a period of sustained attacks they were awarded penalty after penalty. They pounded the line but the green and blacks held on. Withy had a chance to clear but Tops forced an error and they eventually powered over for a well deserved try.
The last twenty minutes saw Withys again take full Control. After a few near misses they were awarded a five meter scrum, when full back Charlie skinner was alleged to have been held up over the line. No 8 Jimmy Griffin cleverly picked up, drew his man and sent the lively Max Wilkinson over in the corner.
More was to come, Withys gathered the ball from the kick off, and after a few phases of play winger Max Richards capped a fine performance when he stepped around his man and won the race to the line.
Withys final try began from within their own 22 meter line. Passmore got his hands on the ball and kicked ahead. He chased his own kick and was instrumental in winning the ball at the resulting breakdown. Quick hands saw the ball passed along the line and Skinner got his well deserved try.
A fine performance against strong opposition. Topsham never gave up and played their part in an entertaining game.