Much-Improved Second Half Gives Withies Plenty to Build On

The 2026/27 league season got underway at Raleigh Park this weekend, as the Withies welcomed Topsham II for the opening round of the new campaign.

Withycombe made the better start, putting together some good early team moves to create space out wide. Cody Kane found Finley Ivory, who raced down the right wing to score in the corner and put the Withies ahead on his 1st XV debut. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 5-0.

Topsham responded strongly and, from around the 12-minute mark, began to find space with their pace causing problems for the Withycombe defence. A converted try put the visitors ahead before the Withies had a sustained period of pressure of their own.

Two lengthy periods of multiphase play on the Topsham line came close to producing a second score. A crossfield kick hit the posts during the first attack, while the second ended with a knock-on, with Topsham able to gather the loose ball and turn it into another try.

The Withies continued to create opportunities, but Topsham's defence held firm when the pressure came. Further breaks from the visitors then proved costly as they added five more tries before the interval, leaving the Withies 5-38 down at half-time.

The second half was a different story.

Topsham added an early try after another break, but the Withies gradually began to find their footing. With the slope now in their favour, they started to gain ground and put together longer periods of possession as they looked to work their way back into the game.

That pressure was eventually rewarded in the 54th minute. After another sustained attack close to the Topsham line, Liam Daniels stretched to get the ball down just beyond the try line for Withy's second try of the afternoon. Harry Symons added the conversion to make it 12-45.

Topsham responded with another score, but the Withies continued to look for opportunities and were rewarded again in the 71st minute. Following a melee of bodies over the line and some quick recycling of the ball, Callum O'Donnell emerged with the ball to score Withy's third try. 

The final stages saw the Withies push hard in search of another score. A couple of breaks carried them from inside their own 22 into Topsham territory, but a dropped ball brought the final attack to an end and allowed the visitors to clear their lines and kick the ball dead.

The final score: Withycombe 17, Topsham II 52.

There is plenty for the Withies to take from the second half. After a difficult opening forty minutes against a Topsham side who made good use of their pace, Withycombe showed a much better attacking game after the break, scoring twice and creating further opportunities right through to the final whistle.

It wasn't the result the Withies were looking for on the opening weekend, but there were plenty of positive moments to build on as the season gets underway. Next weekend, the boys travel to Allhallows Playing Fields where they will play Honiton.