Withycombe v Saltash

Withycombe 22

Saltash 10

A composed display from Withycombe's youngsters saw them to victory in the rain at Raleigh Park.

Saltash made their second trip to Devon in two weeks, having shipped a hundred points at Exeter University the week before. That proved to be no measure of the mettle as the play went tit-for-tat in the opening exchanges. The sides exchanged tries early on, some clever interplay between Matt Williams, Ben Mardle and Rob Hayes down the short side leaving the lethal Hayes with what he would consider a straightforward finish. Pugsley converted, but Saltash hit back straight away, full back Ryan Cruickshanks converting his own try to level the scores at 7-7.

Withycombe for once had the edge in the set pieces, comprehensively out-scrummaging the visitors, while line-outs were a free-for-all as both sides struggled for consistency. The weather proved to be the biggest villain to both sides as their eagerness to move the ball was often their undoing. The Ashes struggled in the tackle though, with Withy hooker Liam Cullen a constant pest, adn it was one of his steals that opened the door for the attack that would see Terry Mears dive over in the corner to put Withycombe back in front at 12-7. Saltash finished the first half with a flurry, slotting one penalty before the last attack of the half came to an end with some last-ditch Withycombe tackling.

The second half was balanced on a knife-edge, and it took 26 minutes before the first points would be scored when Jack Pugsley kicked a penalty to edge Withycombe further ahead. Saltash's last major attack came to nothing when a lineout on the Withycombe five metre line gave rise to some vicious defence, including a withering hit from centre Freddie Fraser, who almost did more damage to himself in the process.

Withycombe built on that to put the game beyond doubt when supersub Glenn Channing's deft crossfield kick was collected by Rob Hayes whose offload found the hands of man-of-the-match Fraser, who gratefully skipped underneath the posts. Pugsley's conversion made it 22-10 and a second win on the trot for Withycombe. Hayle await next week for another testing fixture in a league which is fast appearing to have no easy games.

Withycombe 2nd XV 20

Saltash 2nd XV 10

Withy's second string followed the lead in a match that took place straight after the first team's victory. Two trademark tries from Kevin Rodwell, one from Number 8 Paddy Gore (!) and a penalty and conversion from Lee Tanton were enough to see the unbeaten second string to victory. The seconds have another home match this Saturday, this time against cross-town rivals Exmouth.

Falmouth v Withycombe

Falmouth 20

Withycombe 22

Withycombe recorded a rare win in Cornwall on Saturday with a gutsy and breathless display against a resurgent Falmouth side.

Trips across the Tamar are never easy, but Withy evidently were in no mood to embrace stereotypes as they raced out of the blocks into a 12-0 lead. Aussie centre Freddie Fraser's creativity put mercurial winger Rob Hayes away for the first try, with the reliable boot of the returning Jack Pugsley converting. Minutes later Fraser turned provider again as in interception allowed Hayes to counter attack from deep, some slick hands opening the door for Sam Conway to score his first try in green and black.

Withycombe then endured a middling middle 40, with Falmouth putting the squeeze on the away pack. Struggles in the lineout and at the scrum base meant Withy's exuberant backline rarely had quality first phase ball, and the slower pace seemed to suit the home side. A couple of penalties from Paul Saberton cut the gap before Tom Spiller touched down from a rolling maul, Saberton converting to put Falmouth 13-12 up at the break.

The Withy woes continued as Falmouth skipper Tony Whittle barged through the Withycombe defence to score under the posts, the conversion putting Falmouth eight points clear. Withy fought back with a penalty before Fraser made a half-break from a scrum in his own half, the slip pass inside to John Parkin opening the field up. Parkin's switch with juggernaut Ben Mardle 30 metres from the line finished the defence off; Mardle touched down under the posts to give Jack Pugsley the simplest of conversions.

Withycombe almost blew their winning lead however when they gave away a penalty at the breakdown in a very kickable position with moments to go. Fortunately the kick sailed wide and the travelling support breathed a sigh of relief. Next week Raleigh Park hosts a double header of 1st and 2nd XV games against travelling Saltash.

Withycombe v Exeter University

Withycombe 3

Exeter University 24

Withycombe's first home game ended in defeat as what promised to be a festival of running rugby turned out to be more of a tactical ding-dong at Raleigh Park.

With both teams clearly placing a premium on defence, the game was a tight affair from the outset. The score remained deadlocked for 25 minutes until the University crashed over in the corner to make it 5-0. Two missed penalties from Withycombe cost them the opportunity to lead and when Al Loaring was beaten on the outside shoulder the University held a 10-0 lead at the break.

Commanding debuts for George Toomey, Sam Conway and Will Cole among others showed the promise in this young Withycombe side. Blooding players now will surely pay dividends before long, and this was a courageous effort against a very well-organised team who will surely be there or thereabouts come the business end of the season.

All that is not to say that Withy did not have a chance to win it, though. With Glenn Channing finally putting Withycombe on the board on 60 minutes, the University looked beatable as the green and blacks started to apply pressure. Two missed tackles led to two converted tries in the last ten minutes though which gave the visitors a soft bonus point and a flattering margin of victory.

So plenty to work on, but also plenty to work with for Withycombe as they prepare to travel to Falmouth next week, who opened their account with an eye-catching 12-8 win at Crediton; meanwhile Withies' 2nd XV play host to Torrington at Raleigh Park.

Crediton v Withycombe

Crediton 37

Withycombe 13

Withycombe's league campaign got off to a stuttering start following a week of selection headaches. With mass unavailabilities in the front five and late withdrawals disrupting the starting lineup, the Withy preparation was far from ideal.

However, Withycombe started the better of the sides. After some early pressure and many phases making ground in the Kirton 22, Kevin Rodwell was tackled high giving Glenn Channing the opportunity to score Withycombe's opening points of the season. The game remained tight for the next twenty minutes, Withycombe appearing to have overcome their breakdown woes that cost them badly in pre-season. On 25 minutes a set move from a lineout gave Danny Sansom the opportunity to showcase his talent and score a fine try in the corner to make it 8-0.

Having been run ragged in the last game of last season, Withycombe were wary of the Kirton backline, which turned out to be a non-factor thanks to the diligent Withy defence. Crediton certainly had the edge in the tight though, and their first points came from a rolling maul which would be a sign of things to come. John Stevens scored the try with Mark Lee converting to make it 8-7. 

Withycombe replied on 39 minutes with a blindside break from a scrum, Mike Symons offloading to Connor Gilby then Mike Richards who rumbled over to put Withycombe 13-7 up, Channing's conversion attempt hitting the post. Crediton were not done though, and on half time were awarded a penalty try from a 5m scrum which Lee converted to put the hosts up at the break.

The second half was a completely different affair as Crediton made their superiority in the scrum count. Withycombe struggled to win first phase ball, and with indiscipline at the breakdown creeping in again, Crediton kicked the corners and played the numbers game with their rolling maul. It yielded another try after just 4 minutes of the second half and changed the face of the game. An offside penalty was gratefully slotted by Lee to stretch the lead to 22-13, before 10 points in 3 minutes effectively ended any Withycombe hopes of getting anything from the game.

A try in the corner followed by a touchline conversion and yet another penalty 2 minutes later made the score 32-13, and the departure of Danny Sansom robbed Withycombe of one of their best counter-attacking threats. To rub salt in the wound, Crediton scored another try with 3 minutes to go, making it 37-13. 

Though the scoreline may flatter the home side, there were many positives to take from the game. Notable performances from debutants Connor Gilby and Dan James in the back row, Glenn Channing beginning to get the backline firing from fly-half, and resurgent performances from the likes of Kevin Rodwell and Danny Parry are just some of the reasons that this is a Withycombe team on the up. Exeter University visit Raleigh park next week to visit their old friend Mark Tomlinson for what promises to be an open, attack minded 80 minutes of rugby.