BackSat 04 Oct 2025 · Counties 2 Tribute Ale Devon
1st XVDevonport Services II
Tries: B Kidson (4), P CookeConversions: J House (3)Penalties: J House
34
31
Honiton RFC 34 V 31 Devonport Services RFC II
Jules Hoyles4 Oct - 19:25
Match Report by Justin Nuttall
Honiton v Devonport Services II
On a bright but very breezy afternoon Honiton hosted sponsors Supacat Group for their pre-match lunch.
The opponents for the afternoon were unbeaten Devonport Services and all hope that the Ton could end their losing streak.
Honiton kicked off playing down the slope but into the stiff breeze.
Services started well going through several phases but the Honiton defensive line held well. When the home side turned over the ball a couple of forward drives saw them advance in to the twenty two. A grubber kick through from Johnny House saw winger Ben Kidson get the first try of the game, the conversion attempt fell short in the wind 5-0.
It was back and forth for next five minutes with both sides evenly matched, and fortune shone on the home side when the Devonport winger broke through the line only to lose the ball just before the line.
Two penalties later play was on the halfway line and the pressure relieved.
The home pack was getting the edge and it was the Ton who got the next score. Alfie Lang broke through the line and offloaded to the supporting Phil Cooke who scored under the posts. The conversion was successful and the lead extended to 12-0.
What started off looking like a good back line move was unfortunately intercepted by the Devonport number eleven who scored under the posts to bring the score to 12-7.
A good break from Devonport number six saw them level the score when the ball was worked wide right the conversion drifted wide of the posts and the scores were level at twelve apiece after 35 minutes.
Halftime.
The second half didn’t start as well as the home crowd wanted, some early pressure in the Honiton twenty two saw the away side’s replacement hooker force his way over from short distance. The conversion was missed 12-17.
Services were starting to look more dangerous when in possession and a dropped ball was the only thing that stopped them getting their fourth try. The home pack was getting pushed off the ball and a resulting penalty saw the away side get a bonus point try, converted from out wide 12-24.
A penalty from Johnny House reduced the deficit to 15-24 following a good break by Alfie Lang.
This was followed up by another try from Ben Kidson, Ollie Rice made a break on the left and fed the ball inside to the winger. Converted by Johnny House 22-24.
From the kick a dropped ball saw a soft try conceded under the posts when the loose ball was gathered by the Devonport fourteen 22-31.
A third try from Ben Kidson again reduced the deficit as the game turned in to a try scoring affair, 27-31.
Buoyed on by an increase in territory and ill discipline from Devonport saw the Ton try and get their fourth lead back. A fourth try from Ben Kidson saw them take the lead for the first time in the second half. The conversion was successful from Johnny House 34-31.
Honiton maintained the momentum and territory and ground out the last five minutes to claim a hard fought win.
On a bright but very breezy afternoon Honiton hosted sponsors Supacat Group for their pre-match lunch.
The opponents for the afternoon were unbeaten Devonport Services and all hope that the Ton could end their losing streak.
Honiton kicked off playing down the slope but into the stiff breeze.
Services started well going through several phases but the Honiton defensive line held well. When the home side turned over the ball a couple of forward drives saw them advance in to the twenty two. A grubber kick through from Johnny House saw winger Ben Kidson get the first try of the game, the conversion attempt fell short in the wind 5-0.
It was back and forth for next five minutes with both sides evenly matched, and fortune shone on the home side when the Devonport winger broke through the line only to lose the ball just before the line.
Two penalties later play was on the halfway line and the pressure relieved.
The home pack was getting the edge and it was the Ton who got the next score. Alfie Lang broke through the line and offloaded to the supporting Phil Cooke who scored under the posts. The conversion was successful and the lead extended to 12-0.
What started off looking like a good back line move was unfortunately intercepted by the Devonport number eleven who scored under the posts to bring the score to 12-7.
A good break from Devonport number six saw them level the score when the ball was worked wide right the conversion drifted wide of the posts and the scores were level at twelve apiece after 35 minutes.
Halftime.
The second half didn’t start as well as the home crowd wanted, some early pressure in the Honiton twenty two saw the away side’s replacement hooker force his way over from short distance. The conversion was missed 12-17.
Services were starting to look more dangerous when in possession and a dropped ball was the only thing that stopped them getting their fourth try. The home pack was getting pushed off the ball and a resulting penalty saw the away side get a bonus point try, converted from out wide 12-24.
A penalty from Johnny House reduced the deficit to 15-24 following a good break by Alfie Lang.
This was followed up by another try from Ben Kidson, Ollie Rice made a break on the left and fed the ball inside to the winger. Converted by Johnny House 22-24.
From the kick a dropped ball saw a soft try conceded under the posts when the loose ball was gathered by the Devonport fourteen 22-31.
A third try from Ben Kidson again reduced the deficit as the game turned in to a try scoring affair, 27-31.
Buoyed on by an increase in territory and ill discipline from Devonport saw the Ton try and get their fourth lead back. A fourth try from Ben Kidson saw them take the lead for the first time in the second half. The conversion was successful from Johnny House 34-31.
Honiton maintained the momentum and territory and ground out the last five minutes to claim a hard fought win.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
