On Saturday morning the Junior section was out in force and they pulled out all the stops to host a tournament which included all of the junior teams playing games against Launceston Juniors who were starting their Easter tour and Welch outfit Rhigos who were also on tour. With Tiverton supplying a team as well I have to be honest and say I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people on Allhallows at once and it was all a very positive advert for junior rugby.

Then if that wasn’t enough the firsts and seconds took to the field in the afternoon in front of two large crowds. Churchie will supply the second team report when done.

Honiton firsts entertained Stithians in their final home league game of the campaign and on the back of eight straight win in the league the Lacemen were in no mood to be charitable especial given the fact the scores had been close in the away fixture. Honiton did win it but only just.

The visitors first few minutes were their best and really that’s about all you can say about them in a positive way. As soon as Honiton settled down there was an early score for influential flanker Dean Norman who finished off a very positive move that had gone through several sets of hands and moments later Rice Junior got the second with a chip and gather and really these scores just opened the flood gates as Honiton raced to a 41-0 halftime score line.

The second half was then just exhibition rugby with Honiton in total control of every facet of play and as the onslaught went on the oppositions heads dropped further and further, so much so that with 13 minutes still on the clock the referee decided enough was enough and he called an early halt to put the opposition out of their misery.
The final score was 82-0 to the Lacemen. Apart from a Norman brace of tries all the other points came from the back division who appear to get sharper by the week. Luke Kenny and Chris Sampson helped them selves to a hatrick of tries with Josh Barrett, Andy Canniford, Dan Garman and Ollie Hyland all dotting down as well. Canniford rounded of a good performance as the number ten with a penalty and 7 conversions.

It would be unfair to mention players but this was truly an all round unselfish team performance but we must remember for the backs to score “at will”, you need a good platform from the forwards and they delivered the service on a plate to ensure the rout.

The seconds had a much tougher encounter but they managed to turn round a 3 nil half time deficit to run out comfortable winners by 27-3 ….. (Churchies report will follow when he writes it!)

Sunday’s cup game

Battle weary Honiton firsts then had to rally and take to the field again on Sunday to play the semi final of the Intermediate plate competition. This time the opposition were Tavistock who were on paper supposed to be much sterner opposition as they play their rugby in the division above Honiton.

Several casualties from Saturdays foray and one or two unavailability’s saw Honiton field several new names for first team duty with several regulars had to play in different positions. Never the less, the strength in depth gets stronger and all on show slotted in well on the day.

Honiton started brightly and two well struck penalties from fresh from the dentist, Ben Webber gave Honiton the early lead. He then added to this with a try that he fielded and ran back from his own twenty two and with the conversion and a further penalty going over his 16 point tally saw Honiton well in command at the break with an impressive 16-0 lead.

With the famous slope advantage and a following breeze Honiton just upped the anti and with the sword out they took the illustrious opposition apart. Sammy Collins coming on for the injured Rice Jnr in the second half enjoyed his debuted by scoring a hatrick. Luke Kenny who is in top form at the moment got a brace and Josh Barrett, Dan Garman got one each. Ben Webber also dotted down his second and with five conversions his tally of points was an impressive 33. This all went to make Honiton the surprise but comfortable winners by 56-0!

This was again an impressive performance against much stiffer opponents and with defence now top draw, to come away with a nil score line this just goes to reflect the improvements the side has made. The county assessor present on the day was very impressed with Honiton’s all round performance especially the ball retention which was key in the victory. Canniford for the second day on the trot marshalled the youngsters and Guilbert well in the backs. The Front row crew of Dalton, Owen Huskins and the youthful Chester all looked sharp with Dalton really coming into his own as a formidable battering ram/strike runner. The row of Skipper Findlay and Lane did the biz and the backrow of Rice snr and Dean Norman were top draw as usual and when joined by rookie “Slow Dog” Sloman he was in no way overwhelmed by his illustrious back row crew and he produced an impressive début performance to help with the rout.

All in all another total team performance and a good weekend for the club. 2 wins 140 points to nil for the firsts. The seconds won and the Juniors day was hugely successful. I’ve also just found out that also on Sunday, the 14’s won their 7’s competition the 10’s were runners up att hier festival ... so all round...some good rugby and I’m sure there’s more results I don't know about!

The final of the cup is unfortunately away to Torquay and will be on Bank Holiday Monday could it be another illustrious scalp?