BackSat 29 Nov 2025 · Counties 2 Tribute Ale Devon
1st XVOld Plymothian & Mannamedian
Tries: J Coutts-Tucker (2), F ParrattConversions: J House (2)
19
3
Honiton 19 V 3 OPM
Jules Hoyles29 Nov - 16:27
Match Report by Justin Nuttall
After last week’s washout it was a pleasant afternoon down at the Allhallows as Honiton welcomed OPM’s.
Honiton kicked off and played up the slope, an early infringement at the break down saw Honiton concede the first penalty of the match. This came to nothing as Honiton stole the line out and both sides swapped possession with little progress from either team. OPM’s lost their loose head prop to an injury. From the restart Honiton moved the ball up field as their back three combined well, ending when Ben Kidson was tackled in to touch.
The forwards had their own say claiming the line out and edging the scrums.
With fifteen minutes gone Honiton looked the better of the two teams and they opened the scoring through James Coutts Tucker who finished well wide left, the conversion drifted wide , 5-0.
The next ten minutes saw both teams trade blows but neither got close to scoring. OPM’s lost a second player to injury before halftime
The Honiton forwards were being dominant in the line outs stealing their opponents ball several times halting any attacking advantage OPM’s had.
The last five minutes of the half saw OPM’s in the Honiton twenty after a couple of strong scrums from their forwards. Resolute defence and more great work in the line outs stealing saw the Ton clear up field and the threat was over.
Scrum penalties were a concern as the away pack started to dominate giving them their only effective way of moving the ball downfield.
Halftime
Honiton received the kick off and started brightly advancing down the slope. A strong carry from James Coutts-Tucker advanced the team to halfway. A knock on saw OPM’s win another scrum penalty, this time they opted for a shot at goal and reduced the deficit to 5-3.
Honiton introduced veteran Louis Lane, this seemed to shore up the scrum and from the next scrum James Coutts Tucker got his second try of the game. He hit a great line and was strong through the tackle to score under the posts, converted by Johnny House 12-3.
Honiton were pressing the away team line and were unlucky not to get a third try when Ben Spence was held up over the line.
OPM’s were reduced to fourteen after their replacement prop was shown a yellow card for a late hit on Johnny House. They kicked for a line out from the resulting penalty and the forwards secured the ball, OPM’s infringed again and another line out followed. Another penalty and four phases later Finn Parrat forced his way over to the right of the posts. Unfortunately there was another injury to an OPM’s player but fortunately he could leave the field unaided. Converted by Johnny House 19-3.
Several infringements from Honiton saw OPM’s kick in to the home side twenty two, they spilled possession and the pressure was off. With the end of the game getting close OPM’s had a scrum on the Honiton twenty two but as in the rest of the game their attack was ineffective and only ill discipline from the home team kept up their momentum in the Honiton twenty two. With lights fading and the rain starting to fall the game the floodlights were switched on only for the referee to blew the whistle and the game fizzled to a dreary halt. A workman like result for another home win.
Honiton kicked off and played up the slope, an early infringement at the break down saw Honiton concede the first penalty of the match. This came to nothing as Honiton stole the line out and both sides swapped possession with little progress from either team. OPM’s lost their loose head prop to an injury. From the restart Honiton moved the ball up field as their back three combined well, ending when Ben Kidson was tackled in to touch.
The forwards had their own say claiming the line out and edging the scrums.
With fifteen minutes gone Honiton looked the better of the two teams and they opened the scoring through James Coutts Tucker who finished well wide left, the conversion drifted wide , 5-0.
The next ten minutes saw both teams trade blows but neither got close to scoring. OPM’s lost a second player to injury before halftime
The Honiton forwards were being dominant in the line outs stealing their opponents ball several times halting any attacking advantage OPM’s had.
The last five minutes of the half saw OPM’s in the Honiton twenty after a couple of strong scrums from their forwards. Resolute defence and more great work in the line outs stealing saw the Ton clear up field and the threat was over.
Scrum penalties were a concern as the away pack started to dominate giving them their only effective way of moving the ball downfield.
Halftime
Honiton received the kick off and started brightly advancing down the slope. A strong carry from James Coutts-Tucker advanced the team to halfway. A knock on saw OPM’s win another scrum penalty, this time they opted for a shot at goal and reduced the deficit to 5-3.
Honiton introduced veteran Louis Lane, this seemed to shore up the scrum and from the next scrum James Coutts Tucker got his second try of the game. He hit a great line and was strong through the tackle to score under the posts, converted by Johnny House 12-3.
Honiton were pressing the away team line and were unlucky not to get a third try when Ben Spence was held up over the line.
OPM’s were reduced to fourteen after their replacement prop was shown a yellow card for a late hit on Johnny House. They kicked for a line out from the resulting penalty and the forwards secured the ball, OPM’s infringed again and another line out followed. Another penalty and four phases later Finn Parrat forced his way over to the right of the posts. Unfortunately there was another injury to an OPM’s player but fortunately he could leave the field unaided. Converted by Johnny House 19-3.
Several infringements from Honiton saw OPM’s kick in to the home side twenty two, they spilled possession and the pressure was off. With the end of the game getting close OPM’s had a scrum on the Honiton twenty two but as in the rest of the game their attack was ineffective and only ill discipline from the home team kept up their momentum in the Honiton twenty two. With lights fading and the rain starting to fall the game the floodlights were switched on only for the referee to blew the whistle and the game fizzled to a dreary halt. A workman like result for another home win.
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