Honiton kicked off their 2025/26 campaign at the Field of Dreams, but on the unfamiliar top pitch following this summer’s drainage and floodlight work.

The visitors, Bideford, arrived determined to bounce back from last season’s relegation, bringing with them a sizeable forward pack. Honiton fielded plenty of familiar faces in key positions, though the absence of one or two experienced heads left some gaps in depth.

With the wind at their backs and playing downhill, Honiton looked to strike early. Carries from Finn and Spence showed promise, but handling errors and solid Bideford defence prevented early breakthroughs. The lineout, tricky in the strong breeze, gave Honiton field position but not the sustained pressure they wanted.

It was Bideford who struck first, a slick counter-attack with sharp offloads ending in a converted try under the posts: 0–7.

Honiton responded well, stringing phases together. Rice and Kidson punched holes before quick ball released House, who powered over for a converted try, 7–7. Just before half time, Norman’s turnover created another chance, and House again finished clinically. Honiton went into the break 10–7 ahead.

Bideford came out firing after the restart, using the slope to their advantage. A five-metre lineout and driving maul proved too much for the home defence, restoring their lead.

Honiton hit back, turning defence into attack. A dominant scrum set the platform, Kidson and Alfie made ground, and the backs swung play wide for Phillips (no, not that one) to finish in the corner.

The game then tilted Bideford’s way. With long spells of possession, they found gaps in the Ton defence and crossed twice more in a ten-minute burst, pulling clear on the scoreboard.

Honiton did have the final word: patient phase play saw Tom crash over late on, showing what the side can do when accuracy matches ambition. But Bideford’s clinical finishing proved decisive, sealing a 22–38 win.