Lacemen still looking for first win

Honiton poor start to the season continued with a visit to near neighbours Withycombe and once again unavailability’s and injuries meant there were several changes to the starting line up and this has to be a clear factor in Honiton’s problems so far this year.

Despite this, Honiton got off to a good start and playing with the wind behind them and down the Raleigh Park slope they made in roads into Withycombe territory. The home side however did punch holes in Honiton’s defence and first up tackles were an issue through out the half for the Lacemen. With twenty minutes gone the home side made the first score when Honiton were caught napping from a quick tap penalty. Honiton bounced back with a Stefan Archer penalty and it was pretty even until the last five minutes when a strike against the head and a blind side break saw Withycombe dot down out wide and then with an unexplained ten extra minutes played by the ref they added to this score with another try out wide which was to be fair curtsey of a lucky bounce.

So from being very much in the game they turned round 19-3 behind and with the slope and elements to face it was always going to be a tough ask in the second half. Honiton were further hampered with an injury to Ben Pratt however despite the issues Honiton had an early break when a neat blind side break by Steve Nex was well finished off by the supporting Lewis Groves and with the conversion going over there was hope. Unfortunately the home sides number Ten then took control of the game with some very astute touch finding he was able to keep Honiton pinned in their own half for much of the rest of the game and despite some valiant defence, the Lacemen could not break the strangle hold on them and the pressure resulted in three further tries as the half went on.

The final score was 36 -10 and whilst there were some good passages of play through out from Honiton the 6 -1 try count meant they were comfortably beaten which means they are still looking for their first win of the campaign. There was clearly a lot of endeavour form several on show especial those who had to step in for absentees but stand out player for Honiton was Lewis Groves who worked hard through out and between him and hooker Robbie Harrison the line outs looked very good.