Honiton v Withycombe
Honiton started brightly with an early try from Charlie Wright out wide, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful unfortunately but gave the home side an early 5-0 lead.
Unfortunately an interception led to a try for the away side scored under the posts. 5-7 after five minutes of play.
A penalty gave the lead back to Honiton after Withycombe were penalised for offside in front of their posts, 8-7.
Play settled and both teams were fairly evenly matched, Withycombe missed a penalty chance when Honiton were penalised for not rolling away. Score remained 8-7.
Honiton moved the ball upfield after some good work at the scrum saw the ball move wide right, the ball back inside caught Withycombe offside and the Honiton lead was extended to 11-7.
The home side held the territorial advantage but struggled to add to the score line with some frustrating mistakes holding them back.
Another penalty conceded by Withycombe saw Honiton with a line out, they couldn’t take it cleanly but did get awarded the resulting scrum. Unfortunately they couldn’t capitalise and Withycombe kicked down field.
Both sides were reduced to fourteen with the loose head props having a ten minute rest after ‘falling out’ deep in the Withycombe twenty two.
Frustrating was the key word for the home crowd as the Ton dominated both territory and possession but couldn’t turn it in to points.
Halftime 11-7
Two successive penalties saw Honiton move in to the Withycombe half and add to the score with a penalty from Jake Johnson 14-7. Withycombe had another player sin binned, their second rower for pulling down the line out jumper. Unfortunately Honiton couldn’t take advantage of the extra forward and the pressure again didn’t result in points.
Jake Johnson had a shot at goal, it fell short but the Withycombe player knocked on over the line, the scrum was won but another knock on stopped any Honiton progress.
Another penalty chance drifted wide for the Ton and the ball was moved up in the Honiton half for the first time in the second half by Withycombe. The away side enjoyed some sustained possession but they couldn’t penetrate the determined home defence.
The danger didn’t end and unfortunately Withycombe got their second try of the game, fortunately the conversion was missed leaving the Ton clinging to a 14-12 lead with seven minutes remaining.
The final few minutes were a nervous affair for the home supporters with Withycombe showing more ability in the last fifteen minutes than they had previously in the match. Relief for the home team as they held on with player coach Steve Smart kicking the ball dead to end the game.