BackSat 01 Dec 2018 · Devon Merit Table 2NE
2nd XVSouth Molton 2nd XV
41
25
Honiton topple second placed Moulton
Jeremy Rice3 Dec 2018 - 17:42
Great win at the Ton
By Phil Bird
Honiton seconds welcomed South Molton 2’s down to Allhallows on Saturday. With South Molton in 2nd place in the league having lost only once this season, 4th place Honiton knew it was going to be no easy game. Honiton kicked off down the slope and came out with intensity and a clear desire to make sure they came away with a win. Skipper, Ben Welch, led from the front like he has all season, with some fantastic defensive work in the first five minutes eventually leading to a penalty in front of the post, which Lovesy converted with ease. With the home side continuing to use the useful back line they had on show, it was skipper Welch who scored the opening try, picking up a pass from off his shoe laces, he took off from his own twenty two, like a sprinter out the blocks, to show the whole South Molton team a clean pair of heels to run in under the posts making it 8-0 to Honiton. South Molton briefly got back into the game, when the referee gave them their first of many penalties in front the posts. Honiton’s discipline wasn’t as good as it needed to be, but four penalties for high tackles against 5ft nothing hooker,James Foot, whilst tackling their 6ft something second row, did leave some question marks over a few refereeing decisions on the day.
Honiton soon got the bit back between their teeth and responded with another great try from influential skipper Welch. This time positioning him self to take the final pass after a great piece of play from the back line. Lovesy done the honours of adding the 2 points to make it a 7 pointer. Wanting to try and finish this game off before half time, Honiton hit straight back with some good carries from the forwards, including Mike Boraston, who has a great game filling in at tight head. Quick ball of the ensuing ruck saw Kyle Blackmore run a great line to find the gap and run in another well worked try. The final score of the half was courtesy of an Arthur Banks try, which was again as a result of some good work by the backs. Lovesy converted to finish the half 27-3 up. As the second half started, it was clear that South Molton were not happy with the first half and were intent on messing up the tons party. They started doing what we are so used to seeing from them, straight forward hard carries from their pack and Honiton simply struggled to cope. With Honiton’s poor discipline starting to become a little too regular, the referee decided Tom Churchward looked like he needed a ten minute breather. Now down to 14 and Ben Welch having to leave the field, as his ever ageing body was struggling to cope with the number of tackles he was making, Honiton seemed to briefly lose all composure and control of the game and allowed south Molton to come back with 4 try’s of their own, bringing the score to 27-25. With 20 minutes still to go and now back to 15, Honiton showed determination to sustain a long period of pressure from South Molton, but didn’t let in any more scores. Honiton were then reduced to 14 men again when Robin Bennett found himself being forced to rest. The games entered the last few minutes and Honiton’s forwards showed strength to hold up south Moltons pack as they drove over the line, resulting in a 5 meter scrum. Honiton knew this next phase of play was make or break, with the scrum going backwards and over the try line, Tom Churchward, fresh from his breather, managed to gather the ball from under his feet and make a break. At this point the spectators present saw something which many have waited 30 plus years to see, Churchward turned on the gas and sprinted the length of the field, beating several Molton defenders on his way and even having enough left in the tank to launch himself, with the most elegant swallow dive Allhallows has ever seen, to score under the post, which Lovesy converted. This meaning the ton were 9 points ahead with one minute to go. Honiton gathered the kick off and another break by Sam Heathcote, who was playing his first game after a long injury lay off, saw the forwards work well to get the ball out to Austin Elliot for the final score of the game, meaning the final whistle went with Honiton victorious 41-25. Credit has to go to the team for the character shown in those final 10 minutes to make sure they sealed the victory. There were several impressive performances from the likes of Arthur Banks, Kyle Blackmore and Mike Boraston but man of the match has to go to skipper, Ben Welch, who seems to turn in great performances week after week in both attack and defence. As we say every week, a big hand to the colts, Lovesy, Aaron Bowker, Will Lancaster and Sam Heathcote, who had an impressive second half. Not easy for these boys to step up from colts to the physicality of senior rugby, but they do it well and it’s appreciated by the seniors in the team.
Honiton seconds welcomed South Molton 2’s down to Allhallows on Saturday. With South Molton in 2nd place in the league having lost only once this season, 4th place Honiton knew it was going to be no easy game. Honiton kicked off down the slope and came out with intensity and a clear desire to make sure they came away with a win. Skipper, Ben Welch, led from the front like he has all season, with some fantastic defensive work in the first five minutes eventually leading to a penalty in front of the post, which Lovesy converted with ease. With the home side continuing to use the useful back line they had on show, it was skipper Welch who scored the opening try, picking up a pass from off his shoe laces, he took off from his own twenty two, like a sprinter out the blocks, to show the whole South Molton team a clean pair of heels to run in under the posts making it 8-0 to Honiton. South Molton briefly got back into the game, when the referee gave them their first of many penalties in front the posts. Honiton’s discipline wasn’t as good as it needed to be, but four penalties for high tackles against 5ft nothing hooker,James Foot, whilst tackling their 6ft something second row, did leave some question marks over a few refereeing decisions on the day.
Honiton soon got the bit back between their teeth and responded with another great try from influential skipper Welch. This time positioning him self to take the final pass after a great piece of play from the back line. Lovesy done the honours of adding the 2 points to make it a 7 pointer. Wanting to try and finish this game off before half time, Honiton hit straight back with some good carries from the forwards, including Mike Boraston, who has a great game filling in at tight head. Quick ball of the ensuing ruck saw Kyle Blackmore run a great line to find the gap and run in another well worked try. The final score of the half was courtesy of an Arthur Banks try, which was again as a result of some good work by the backs. Lovesy converted to finish the half 27-3 up. As the second half started, it was clear that South Molton were not happy with the first half and were intent on messing up the tons party. They started doing what we are so used to seeing from them, straight forward hard carries from their pack and Honiton simply struggled to cope. With Honiton’s poor discipline starting to become a little too regular, the referee decided Tom Churchward looked like he needed a ten minute breather. Now down to 14 and Ben Welch having to leave the field, as his ever ageing body was struggling to cope with the number of tackles he was making, Honiton seemed to briefly lose all composure and control of the game and allowed south Molton to come back with 4 try’s of their own, bringing the score to 27-25. With 20 minutes still to go and now back to 15, Honiton showed determination to sustain a long period of pressure from South Molton, but didn’t let in any more scores. Honiton were then reduced to 14 men again when Robin Bennett found himself being forced to rest. The games entered the last few minutes and Honiton’s forwards showed strength to hold up south Moltons pack as they drove over the line, resulting in a 5 meter scrum. Honiton knew this next phase of play was make or break, with the scrum going backwards and over the try line, Tom Churchward, fresh from his breather, managed to gather the ball from under his feet and make a break. At this point the spectators present saw something which many have waited 30 plus years to see, Churchward turned on the gas and sprinted the length of the field, beating several Molton defenders on his way and even having enough left in the tank to launch himself, with the most elegant swallow dive Allhallows has ever seen, to score under the post, which Lovesy converted. This meaning the ton were 9 points ahead with one minute to go. Honiton gathered the kick off and another break by Sam Heathcote, who was playing his first game after a long injury lay off, saw the forwards work well to get the ball out to Austin Elliot for the final score of the game, meaning the final whistle went with Honiton victorious 41-25. Credit has to go to the team for the character shown in those final 10 minutes to make sure they sealed the victory. There were several impressive performances from the likes of Arthur Banks, Kyle Blackmore and Mike Boraston but man of the match has to go to skipper, Ben Welch, who seems to turn in great performances week after week in both attack and defence. As we say every week, a big hand to the colts, Lovesy, Aaron Bowker, Will Lancaster and Sam Heathcote, who had an impressive second half. Not easy for these boys to step up from colts to the physicality of senior rugby, but they do it well and it’s appreciated by the seniors in the team.
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