Withycombe v Saltash (Mar 2013)

Withycombe 18

Saltash 28

Withycombe slipped, literally and figuratively, to another defeat in awful conditions at Raleigh Park. Despite the stellar efforts of groundskeeper Peter Farley, the match quickly descended into an error-ridden mudbath. 

Saltash played up the field with the wind at their backs in the first half, wisely booting the ball from their own half at every oppportunity. Withycombe's staunch desire to play the kind of rugby usually associated with mid-March got them into trouble, and an early penalty was swiftly followed up with a pick-and-go try under the posts for the visitors. After conceding one in almost identical fashion the week before, Withycombe should be looking to tighten up around the fringes for their visit to Plymouth next week. A Jack Pugsley penalty was Withycombe's only reward for their first half efforts, the whistle blowing with the visitors 16-3 up.

Withycombe's restart-phobia struck again at the top of the second half, Saltash returning the Withy kick underneath the posts to open up what would prove to be an unassailable 23-3 lead. Despite losing James Perkins and skipper Dave Richards to injury, Withycombe played their best rugby in the second half. Despite the wind having dropped, Withycombe persisted with the kicking game. The ball proved to be a liability in the conditions and Withies' resurgence started with a 5m scrum, Mike Richards picking and feeding Rob Hayes on the blindside to score his maiden Withycombe try. Further pressure gave Pugsley another penalty before a quick tap from scrum half Mike Symons caught the Saltash defence napping, John Parkin straightening the line to dash over and give Withycombe hope at 23-18. However some smart territory play from Saltash led to a Withycombe lineout ten metres from their own line, and with the sharpshooting Dave Richards on the sidelines, the throw went awry and the ball was scooped up by a grateful Saltash forward who put the game beyond doubt. Withycombe take on OPMs next weekend looking for a rare away win.

Withycombe v Tiverton (Mar 2013)

Withycombe 10

Tiverton 10

Withycombe arrested a slide of two home defeats with a hard-fought draw against third-placed Tiverton on Saturday.

In atrocious conditions, both teams were to be applauded for their eagerness in playing positive rugby. In spite of this, the game remained scoreless at halftime. Though both teams had made forays into opposition territory, the standing water made it difficult for the sides to find a cutting edge. Withycombe looked to be at a disadvantage when second row Tom Caygill was sin binned with 20 minutes to go, but broke the deadlock in his absence with a penalty in front of the posts from Jack Pugsley.

Withycombe's composure had deserted them in the latter stages of games recently, and today looked to be no exception. Having worked so hard to get the lead, Withy conceded a pick-and-go try in soft fashion which was converted to make it 7-3 in Tiverton's favour. A petulant penalty on the Withy 22 allowed Tivvy to stretch away to 10-3, and Withycombe's hopes of getting anything the game were looking slim with five minutes on the clock. In a showing that showed maturity beyond their years, WIthycombe worked back up to the Tiverton 22, and having held their nerve with three lineouts in the top corner, were awarded a penalty try on the last play of the game, to the delight of Clubhouse Corner. Pugsley's nerves of steel held out as he slotted the conversion to cement the two points. Withycombe will be looking to build on this performance when they host Saltash next week at Raleigh Park.

Newquay v Withycombe (Mar 2013)

Newquay Hornets 24

Withycombe 20

Withycombe came home from Cornwall feeling that they only had themselves to blame for their latest away loss.

Newquay drew first blood as they pounced on a fumbled Withycombe lineout to score an early try. Withycombe nearly struck with a counterpunch as the returning Neil Williams seized a loose ball to feed Jack Pugsley with nothing but 70 metres of grass between him and the tryline. Alas, the attack broke down and the ensuing penalty was missed, but Withycombe would not be down for long. From a Mike Symons quick tap, Withycombe recycled the ball and moved it wide for Neil Williams to bundle over taking several players with him. Pugsley slotted the conversion to make it 7-5. The momentum then swung in the opposite direction as Newquay missed a penalty of their own before scoring a breakaway try to lead 10-7. Pugsley replied with a penalty kick to make the halftime score 10-all. 

Withycombe struck first in the second half as quick ball gave Kevin Rodwell the chance to cross the whitewash, Pugsley again converting. At 17-10 Withycombe finally looked in control, with the set pieces looking strong and patient phase play allowing them to dictate the pace of the game. All that went awry in the final 15 minutes, as another Pugsley penalty was book-ended by two opportunistic Newquay tries, both kick-started with missed touch-finding kicks. Withycombe's edge in seeing out close games, so vital to their 10-game winning streak after Christmas last season, seems to have eluded them recently. High-flying Tiverton travel to Raleigh Park this Saturday which shall no doubt prove to be another test of Withycombe's nerve.