Honiton entertained Topsham in what was expected to be a challenging game for the lacemen.
The weather was for once favourable and the pitch in good shape. Honiton kicked off playing up the slope and a nightmare start saw Topsham get the first try of the match after the ball went through their backline for their winger to score wide right. The try was converted to give them an early 0-7 lead.
Honiton responded and moved the ball upfield with some strong running, the pressure saw Topsham concede a penalty which Johnny House knocked over to reduce the deficit to 3-7.
Topsham lost one of their second rows to a head injury and this seemed to affect their scrum as the home forwards started to dominate the set piece. From this pressure saw Ben Kidson get Honiton’s first try when he beat the away defence to a kick ahead initially by Johnny House, the try was converted to give Honiton the lead 10-7.
There was another penalty conceded by Topsham but unfortunately the kick drifted wide of the posts.
The home side pack was in control and a push over try from ten meters out saw the Ton get the second try of the match, converted by Johnny House 17-7.
Topsham enjoyed some sustained territory and possession but found the Honiton line hard to breach with some stout defending.
Johnny House intercepted a loose pass and almost got the next try of the match only to be forced in to touch just shy of the try line.
Matt Bailey left the field after being knocked hard making a tackle to be replaced by Laird Crevald, unfortunately his game was short lived having to leave the field with a hand injury.
Stoppage just before halftime due to injury to Arthur Hatton who had to be helped from the pitch. This left the Honiton bench empty just before halftime.
Half time
The second half started much better than first half for the home side. From the kick off they moved the ball down field and after some good work from the pack Jack Madge powered his way over, the conversion unfortunately fell short 22-7.
More cheer for the home crowd as Topsham were reduced to fourteen men with a yellow card shown to their fullback for illegal entry in to the ruck.
Honiton couldn’t add to the score with the extra man but they did get a bonus point try after thirty minutes of the half. A fine run from Matt Baily saw him halted just short of the line, scrum half Phil Cooke spotted a gap and nipped over, try unconverted 27-7.
A few minutes later Ben Spence gathered a loose kick to score wide right for another unconverted try , with the score at 32-7 the result was pretty much guaranteed for the Ton.
Topsham got a consolation try in the far right after good work from there forwards. The conversion attempt hit the crossbar to bring the score to 32-12.
The scoring wasn’t over though and a fine break from Josh Rice saw Jack Madge finish of the move and go over, conversion missed 37-12.
Full time