Strong Finish Earns Bonus Point at Honiton

A battling performance saw the Withies fight back from a difficult spell, finish strongly and earn a deserved four-try bonus point at Allhallows

The Withies travelled to Allhallows Playing Fields, a venue that has always provided a tough challenge for visiting sides, to face Honiton.
Withycombe received the kick-off and played up the slope. Honiton scored an early penalty, but Matt Edworthy quickly replied to level the score at 3–3 after five minutes.

Honiton then made the most of a short period of sustained pressure to score in the corner, before further pressure and a couple of lost Withy lineouts saw the home side gain territory and possession. A second Honiton try midway through the half extended their advantage to 15–3.

Withy continued to look for opportunities, and Liam Daniels appeared to have picked off an excellent interception, only for play to be brought back for a knock-on in the build-up. Honiton scored from the resulting scrum, but Withycombe responded with another Edworthy penalty to reduce the deficit to 20–6.

Then, right on the stroke of half-time, the Withies found a way through.

With Honiton reduced to 14 men following a yellow card to their Number Eight, Withies opted for a scrum eight metres from the line. With the numerical and weight advantage in their favour, the boys set up a driving maul, with Sam Dix powering over the line to score, bringing the score to 20–11 at the break.

The boys came flying out of the blocks after the restart as pressure from the opening exchanges caused problems for the Honiton defence and, after the home side ripped the ball but then dropped it, George Doughty was quickest to react, picking up the loose ball and crossing for Withycombe's second try. Edworthy added the conversion and suddenly the gap was just two points at 20–18.

Honiton responded with a penalty in front of the posts, before a spell of pressure saw the home side take control of the game and add four tries in a twenty-minute period.

Withy had lost their way slightly during that period, allowing Honiton to build momentum and put points on the board, but the boys continued to work and eventually found another gear in the closing stages.

With around five minutes remaining, Withycombe began to move the ball with much more freedom, making good use of possession as they worked their way towards the Honiton line. After building pressure inside the five-metre channel, Dan May found a way over to score the Withies' third try of the afternoon.

At 45–23, and with the clock approaching the final whistle, there was still something to play for.
Having narrowly missed out on a four-try bonus point in last weekend's opening game, the Withies pushed once more in search of the score that would secure it.

Some excellent team play in the final stages eventually created the opportunity, with Noah Williams crossing for his first Withycombe try. Edworthy added the conversion to bring the final score to Honiton 45, Withycombe 30.

Despite the result, there was plenty for the Withies to take from the game. The response at the end of the first half, the immediate start to the second half and the determination to keep pushing in the closing stages all provided encouraging signs.

The late two tries also earned the Withies a deserved four-try bonus point — something they worked hard for right through to the final whistle.

The boys return to Raleigh Park next weekend and will welcome Bideford for the first of two consecutive home games.