Withycombe v Hayle

Workmanlike Withy Win in the Wet

Withycombe 19
Hayle 12

Will Cole's try in the corner capped a win in atrocious conditions at Raleigh Park.

Withycombe avenged their embarrassment and Mark Tomlinson's red card farce earlier in the season by outscoring Hayle three tries to nil at a waterlogged Raleigh Park.

Early set piece dominance, particularly in the scrum, gave Withycombe the initial impetus and it wasn't long before a penalty kick to the corner gave them the opening score. Dave Richards steered the maul over the line and dotted down on twelve minutes, Glenn Channing kicking the conversion.

The conditions appeared to bring out the best in evergreen Jon Axon, whose size, lineout presence and velvet hands seemed perfectly suited to the quagmire. Axon's marauding forays into the heart of the Hayle defence put the Green and Blacks on the front foot time and again. 

The forwards would again take centre stage as a scrum on the Hayle five metre line appeared to give them the perfect opportunity to drive over. After letting the ball slither out from under his feet, No.8 Mike Richards scored with his second bite at the cherry from the ensuing ruck. Channing's conversion put Withycombe 14 points up with 18 minutes gone, and Withycombe could smell blood.

Unfortunately, Withy took their foot off the gas and Hayle snuck back into the game. 3 penalties in 8 minutes just before halftime put them back in contention at 14-9, though they rarely threatened the Withycombe tryline.

With the conditions worsening, tries would come at a premium in the second half. Hayle notched another penalty on 65 minutes to bring themselves within two points, which was a bit too "nip and tuck" for Withycombe tastes.

With that, the home side marched back up the pitch and earned themselves a penalty. As they had done all day, Withy elected to back themselves and kick to the corner. It paid off as second row Will Cole dived over in the top corner to put Withycombe 7 points clear. Wary of a Hayle comeback, Withycombe pressed hard again, and will feel they should have scored the bonus point try before the final whistle sounded, not that there will have been many scored this weekend!

Sam Conway earned himself the Man of the Match accolade for a near-faultless performance on the wing despite long periods of no ball and being peppered with high balls all day.

Next week the Withy boys look for their third win on the trot as Glenn Channing returns to his old stomping ground at Honiton. The 2nd XV visit Exmouth for the annual grudge match, looking to avenge their 24-10 home defeat earlier this year.