Report by Ameer Alweek

Honiton seconds welcomed Exeter Engineers to Allhallows on Saturday afternoon.
The student side are usually full of running however Honiton hoped to counter this with what the generous observer would call a lumpy pack of forwards ably supported by a strong back line including the novelty of a genuine 10.
When the Engineers team arrived and announced they had no front row, some of the Ton’s larger boned players looked like Christmas had been cancelled, but with the chance to bury a work shy student in the Allhallows mud still on the table they trooped up to the top pitch.
From the start it was clear that Honiton had a physical advantage and playing up the slope they looked to pen the visitors in their own 22. As the Engineers tried to force their way downfield by going wide, Freddie Clark saw an opportunity and intercepted a pass to run in from 30 metres. James Goodman added the extras to make it 7-0.
The Honiton lineout was working well and with the pack making good ground from driving mauls, space was created for Finn Lowman to break through and score a try which Goodman again converted.
Lowman added his second shortly after squeezing over out wide with Goodman again adding the extras which made the half time score 21-0 to Honiton.
Playing downhill in the second half the crowd were anticipating gravity helping Honiton’s pack to wrap the game up but for a long period the students held firm with some committed tackling and good turnovers at the breakdown.
In need of inspiration, Honiton moved evergreen second row and skipper Nick Guilbert to 10, (a move his second row partner Churchward can only dream of) in what looked something of a hail mary move!
The change paid off and good hands in the back line allowed Joe Keep to race over in the corner.
With the Honiton pack now rampant Alex Davies drove over from 5 metres out to make the score 31-0 to Honiton. Guilbert assumed the kicking duties but clearly had left the adidas World Cup boots at home as his kick went well astray!
The final whistle went shortly after and Honiton had pulled off a rare win against the Engineers. All of the forwards put in a great shift and the impressive backline added a touch of finesse giving a platform to build from going into next weeks game at home to Ilfracombe.

Honiton RFC

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