Paignton v Withycombe

Paignton 28

Withycombe 37

Withycombe escaped Queens Park with a bonus point win to keep themselves top, but Paignton gave them plenty to think about before D-Day in Penzance in two weeks.

The visitors started strongly, with a Mike Richards run setting the platform for John Parkin to score a smash-and-grab try with just three minutes on the clock. Paignton replied soon after with a counter-attack try to level the scores at 7-7.

Withycombe's scrum dominance may be on the wane but Ben Clarke found a gap with a pick-and-go and raced over to put Withycombe back in front. Paignton fought their way back into the game and a period of ill discipline from Withycombe saw the hosts kick one penalty and miss two more as Mike Richards was the man in green and black who finally wore out the referee's patience, being sent for a ten minute rest just before the half hour.

Paignton made the most of their advantage as they scored ten points with the extra man. First they hit back with a try after making some inroads with their forwards, before adding another penalty. With the sides even again, Withycombe managed to win a penalty just inside ther own half which Glenn Channing pushed wide to see out the half.

The second half started with Withycombe in the unfamiliar position of chasing the lead, but they played their best rugby when it mattered. A Joe Parkin break was snuffed out with a high tackle, resulting in a yellow card for Paignton's full back. Mike Richards scored two trademark close range tries to put Withycombe back in control but Glenn Channing's wayward boot kept Paignton within reach.

Paignton hit back with a try from their Number 8, his fleetness of foot outrunning the Withycombe forwards to give Paignton the lead back in what was fast becoming a ding-dong affair. Withycombe's suffocating back line defence then hit back with another counterpunch as Aaron Conway's charge-down gave him a short range score Mike Richards would have been proud of!

A Glenn Channing penalty with five minutes remaining put Withycombe two scores in front, and the sides traded penalties as Paignton battled to get something from the game. They looked as though they would get their bonus point reward, alas the kick was pushed wide after the clock had run out.

Withycombe now march to six wins from six and welcome Exeter Saracens to Raleigh Park next weekend for what should be a formality, if they can keep their front eight fit. Injuries to Dave Sims and Jon Axon will not help matters but strength in depth is growing and the second team had plenty of players stake their claim as the overcame Cullompton 34-22. Roll on next week!

Withycombe: Danny Sansom, Sam Conway, Aaron Conway (1T), Joe Parkin, Kevin Rodwell, Glenn Channing (3C, 2P), John Parkin (1T), Dave Wellbeloved, Liam Cullen, Phil Sluman, Dave Sims, Tim Wills, Ben Clarke (1T), Danny Parry, Mike Richards (2T, YC). Reps: Max Cooke, Richard Hodges, Jack Pugsley.