BackSat 07 Mar 2026 · Counties 2 Tribute Ale Devon
Withycombe
1st XV
15
14
Tries: L CrevaldPenalties: J House (3)
Withycombe 15 V 14 Honiton
Jules Hoyles
Match Report by Justin Nuttall
Withycombe v Honiton
Honiton received the kick off and had a bright start to the game with some good interplay early on.
The first five minutes saw play exchanged around the half way line, Honiton held a slender edge in terms of possession but hadn’t really threatened the Withycombe try line.
The first scoring opportunity came and Johnny House slotted over a penalty after Withycombe were penalised for not rolling away. 0-3 after ten minutes.
Another penalty saw Honiton kick to the corner, from the resulting driving maul Charlie Wright was stopped just short only for Laird Crevald show good strength to get the first try of the game. 0-8 after 14 minutes.
Play continued in a similar manner for the next five minutes as the Withycombe defence held strong against some sustained possession from the Ton.
Withycombe opened their account with a well taken penalty to reduce the deficit to 3-8.
Honiton conceded a five metre scrum and the forwards held the scrum , the ball was spun out wide but strong defence saw Honiton turn the ball over and clear their line.
Withycombe had a long range shot at the posts after Honiton were penalised for not releasing, however it drifted wide leaving the score unchanged.
A couple of phases later Honiton had a penalty and kicked for a line out on the Withycombe five metre line. Unfortunately the forwards couldn’t get the drive on from the maul and the half whistle was blown.
The second half started in a similar manner to the way the first half ended. Johnny House saw a shot at the posts after Honiton drift wide and the score remained at 3-8.
Some excellent handling and support play saw Honiton move the ball deep In to the Withycombe twenty two a penalty for holding on just before the line saw the chance go begging.
Honiton pressed well and were awarded another penalty and this time Johnny House was successful extending the lead to 3-11 with ten minutes of the second half gone.
Withycombe were reduced to fourteen men when their number eight was shown yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
They kicked deep in to the Withycombe half but the line out maul was held up again and it was another frustrating visit to the twenty two.
The failure to score at the bottom end came back to haunt Honiton when Withycombe had there first clean break of the game to get a converted try of their own. 10-11 to the Ton with fifteen minutes remaining .
Honiton responded almost immediately with another penalty from Johnny House 10-14.
Ill discipline saw Honiton concede three quick penalties and veteran second rower Nick Guilbert was shown a yellow card for a professional foul.
A charge down and an unlucky bounce in the Honiton goal saw Withycombe take the lead with an unconverted try to give them a one point lead with two minutes to go. 15-14.
A penalty saw Honiton kick to the corner and were held up over the line. With the last play they couldn’t retake the lead and the home side held on to get a hard fought win.
Honiton received the kick off and had a bright start to the game with some good interplay early on.
The first five minutes saw play exchanged around the half way line, Honiton held a slender edge in terms of possession but hadn’t really threatened the Withycombe try line.
The first scoring opportunity came and Johnny House slotted over a penalty after Withycombe were penalised for not rolling away. 0-3 after ten minutes.
Another penalty saw Honiton kick to the corner, from the resulting driving maul Charlie Wright was stopped just short only for Laird Crevald show good strength to get the first try of the game. 0-8 after 14 minutes.
Play continued in a similar manner for the next five minutes as the Withycombe defence held strong against some sustained possession from the Ton.
Withycombe opened their account with a well taken penalty to reduce the deficit to 3-8.
Honiton conceded a five metre scrum and the forwards held the scrum , the ball was spun out wide but strong defence saw Honiton turn the ball over and clear their line.
Withycombe had a long range shot at the posts after Honiton were penalised for not releasing, however it drifted wide leaving the score unchanged.
A couple of phases later Honiton had a penalty and kicked for a line out on the Withycombe five metre line. Unfortunately the forwards couldn’t get the drive on from the maul and the half whistle was blown.
The second half started in a similar manner to the way the first half ended. Johnny House saw a shot at the posts after Honiton drift wide and the score remained at 3-8.
Some excellent handling and support play saw Honiton move the ball deep In to the Withycombe twenty two a penalty for holding on just before the line saw the chance go begging.
Honiton pressed well and were awarded another penalty and this time Johnny House was successful extending the lead to 3-11 with ten minutes of the second half gone.
Withycombe were reduced to fourteen men when their number eight was shown yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
They kicked deep in to the Withycombe half but the line out maul was held up again and it was another frustrating visit to the twenty two.
The failure to score at the bottom end came back to haunt Honiton when Withycombe had there first clean break of the game to get a converted try of their own. 10-11 to the Ton with fifteen minutes remaining .
Honiton responded almost immediately with another penalty from Johnny House 10-14.
Ill discipline saw Honiton concede three quick penalties and veteran second rower Nick Guilbert was shown a yellow card for a professional foul.
A charge down and an unlucky bounce in the Honiton goal saw Withycombe take the lead with an unconverted try to give them a one point lead with two minutes to go. 15-14.
A penalty saw Honiton kick to the corner and were held up over the line. With the last play they couldn’t retake the lead and the home side held on to get a hard fought win.
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