Honiton seconds travelled to Brixham this week for their first game of 2012. Travelling with a weakened squad to the home of a traditionally strong side, many feared for the fate of the laceman. However in an outstanding performance, Honiton came away with an impressive 21-15 victory.

The game started brightly with both teams carrying well, but it was the home side who made the break through when they crashed through to score within ten minutes. The conversion went over. Not letting heads drop, Honiton worked their way back into Brixham’s half with some good attacking mauling by the forwards. A penalty at the breakdown gave Ben Webber the chance to get the scoreboard ticking over, but the kick was wayward. Honiton regained possession and some great hands by the backs allowed debutant Nick Trenchard to cross over for his maiden try. The conversion was slotted over by Webber. The remainder of the half saw defences on top, with Honiton’s being led by the superb Chris Delarge, who as usual put in some bone crunching tackles. Half time saw the sides level on 7 a piece.

The seconds half kicked off and in a sign of intent, Brixham started brightly and tested the laceman’s defence. Playing the advantage after an infringement, the home side slotted over a drop goal to give them a 3 point lead. Fighting their way back down the slope, Honiton again span the ball wide to allow Trenchard to cross for his second try of the game, with Webber again converting. With 15 mins remaining and a 4 point lead, Honiton let their foot of the gas and a quick tap penalty by the impressive Brixham 9 saw them cross over for a try that went unconverted. Losing by a point with 5 minutes to go, the Honiton pack mauled their way into the opposition 22 and after being held up, Delaarge crashed over from the resulting scrum to put the laceman back in the lead. Webber converted to make it 21-15. With a few minutes remaining, Honiton were camped on their own try line and a mixture of a solid defence and some strong words by Churchward meant that there would be no lack of concentration this time. Honiton held on to record a famous and well deserved 21-15 victory.

Next week Honiton travel to Tavistock for what will no doubt be a difficult encounter.