A Winning Return for the Twos

The side pick up a win in their first game of the season

The side pick up a win in their first game of the season

It’s been 26 months since the Withy 2s have taken to the field, but a return this weekend saw them host the Devon Deaf XV at Raleigh Park in an enthralling encounter that is a proud showcase of community, grassroots rugby. 

The game got underway quickly and Withy soon started to test the Devon defence; after just three minutes, Ben Pratt found a gap to power over the line for the opening score. 

The fast-flowing rugby continued and a well-timed break from Spike O’Connell opened up some space down the right-hand wing to give Withies their second try in ten minutes. Nick Halse’s conversion brought the score to 12-0.

Devon battled back well and, with some time on the ball showed their strength and ability and, with some effective ball recycling, earned themselves a try to reduce the gap. 

This was already becoming an exciting end-to-end game and Withy responded well to the visitor’s try and Mike Richards broke away from his defence to score in the corner of Brook End.

Once again, Devon were keen on proving their ability with a sustained period of pressure play in the Withies’ 22’ – forcing Withy to make two big turnovers deep into the red zone. 

The second of these turnovers paved the way for Withycombe’s fourth try when some brilliant handling sent the ball out to Josh Arbury who won the footrace to the tryline. As the half time whistle blew, Withy were leading 22-07.

With the second half underway, Devon got off to a perfect start, after collecting the ball inside their own half, jinking past the defenders at halfway and ran clear to score a cracker of a try under the posts – which was much celebrated around the ground by all supporters. 

Both teams were clearly enjoying their time on the pitch and were treating the bustling crowd to plenty of entertaining rugby. 

Withy broke the deadlock through Spike O’Connell whose speedy footwork saw him cross the tryline for his second score of the game. 

Another spirited response from Devon saw them once again close the gap with a third well-worked try as they drew the gap in the defence to score. 

The action continued right through to the final play of the game as Captain Valley Williams broke from a scrum 15m out from the try line to score Withy’s sixth and final try; with the conversion dropkicked over the crossbar, the final whistle blew with the final score being Withycombe 2s 34, Devon Deaf XV 19.

A wonderful game of rugby which was played in the very best of spirits, finished off with the customary photo under the posts to commemorate the afternoon! Definitely a game to prove how special grassroots rugby really is!