Missed Chances Cost Withy

The boys are left to reflect on missed opportunities after defeat at home

Withycombe were left frustrated at Raleigh Park on Saturday, as Bideford took the points in a game where the Withies struggled to make the most of their opportunities.

The hosts started well, spending much of the opening exchanges in Bideford’s half and applying plenty of pressure inside the visitors’ 22’. However, a combination of handling errors and difficulties at the lineout meant that promising positions repeatedly went unrewarded.

Bideford made the most of their first meaningful visit into Withy territory, crossing for the opening try on 27 minutes to take a 7–0 lead. Despite continuing to compete, the Withies were unable to find a response before half-time, with two further opportunities going begging as the interval approached.

The visitors extended their advantage shortly after the restart, scoring on 49 minutes before adding another try just after the hour mark to move 21–0 ahead and leave Withycombe with an uphill battle.

Withycombe found a way onto the scoreboard on 68 minutes with one of their better attacking moments of the afternoon. Good work down the left wing created the opening for Fin Ivory, who finished with a diving effort in the clubhouse corner. Harrison Greenslade added the conversion to make it 21–7.

Bideford responded with a fourth try on 74 minutes, but the Withies had another positive moment in added time. Working the ball close to the visitors’ line, they found a way over through Harvey Lashbrook, with Greenslade adding the extras with a difficult conversion to bring the final score to Withycombe 14, Bideford 26.

There will be plenty for the boys to reflect on, particularly the opportunities that went unfinished and the difficulties at the lineout. However, the two tries showed what the side can produce when they put good phases together and find space to attack.

The challenge now is to bring more consistency to their performance and make those opportunities count. Next week, Withy welcome OPM to Raleigh Park, where they can reset and go again.