Honiton v Withycombe

Channing’s Triumphant Return!

Honiton 12

Withycombe 15

Withycombe clawed back a 12-point deficit to win in difficult conditions at Honiton.

Honiton, who are now perilously close to the drop zone, had the better of the early exchanges and a break from full back Ollie Rice and an impressive touchline conversion put them 7-0 up after 8 minutes.

Withycombe replied by rumbling down to the Honiton 22 only to come away empty handed after a maul was pulled down close to the Honiton line. Another Honiton break led to Callum Hill crashing over from short range to extend their lead to 12-0, though that would be the last points they would score.

Withycombe started to brighten in the later part of the first stanza having seemingly run off their “bus legs”, but were stymied time and again by the workmanlike home defence. Honiton’s willingness to push the boundaries on the gain line and at the breakdown proved a constant thorn in Withycombe’s side, until the visitors got on the scoresheet with the last play of the half. Number 8 Mike Richards flopped on the ball after the pack pushed Honiton back over their own line, with Glenn Channing putting the conversion right between the posts only for the stiff wind to stop the ball mid-flight and blow it back towards the kicker!

In the second half Withycombe played up the slope and started to take control of the game.  With Glenn Channing’s boot able to make the most of the wind at his back, Honiton saw little of the Withycombe 22, and tempers started to flare as Withycombe got back into the game.

As the forwards again drove over the line, this time from a lineout drive, debutant Luke Mingo grounded the ball to cap an impressive performance, whilst Jon Axon was 15 yards back being accosted by Honiton hooker Callum Hill. After the try was awarded, the pair were sin binned and Honiton were given a penalty on the halfway line for Axon’s act of self-defence. Channing, meanwhile, slotted the conversion to draw level with 24 minutes remaining.

Withycombe continued pressurising the Honiton line and elected to kick to the corner rather than take a kickable penalty, before taking the points with the next one. Channing put the visitors ahead from right under the posts with 15 minutes still to go. This seemed to spur Honiton, and they made a few forays into the Withycombe 22 but ultimately came up empty handed and frustration set in as another home player was sent to the bin on the final whistle for fisticuffs.

Withycombe will be happy to come away from All Hallows with a win as it is never an easy place to go and play rugby, and the conditions made free-flowing running rugby something of a pipe dream. Still, it has now been three wins from three since Christmas and with Falmouth visiting next week, Withy will be looking to extend that run.