| Honiton Score: | 3 |
| Opponents Score: | 12 |
| Fixture Date: | 27 Mar 2010 |
| Fixture Type: | League |
| Home: | Away |
| Kick Off: | 14:30 |
| Match Report: | Honiton Colts seem intent on delaying securing a play-off spot until as late as possible as they again lost narrowly on their travels. Facing an Okehampton side lying second in the table compared to Honiton's fifth spot this was always going to be a tough test for the Lacemen. The Okehampton coaching staff labelled Honiton as the most improved side this season but in truth the witnessed a side still short of top form. Honiton started the game well, pressurising the home side straight from the kick-off. Referee Steggle made it clear to both teams to stay on their feet at the breakdown but which seemed to fall on death ears. The home-side saw their No 6 binned for going off his feet and entering from the side. Meadows converted the easy penalty to lead 0-3. However Honiton failed to make the man advantage count and if anything Okehampton became the dominant side in terms of territory. With 10 minutes to go before half time Oke crossed the white wash twice; the first attempted score held up by Fahy; the second a try for the home-side which their impressive 10 converted to reverse the lead 7-3. Honiton then lost hooker Clements who was unlucky to be binned for hs first infringement as he paid the 'price' for an accumulation if infringements and he duly missed 5 minutes either side of the break. The second half was an even affair and a case of the next to score would likely win. Honiton went close a number of times. Small was bundled into touch just short of the line by excellent cover tackle from the home side's flanker; hooker Clements outpaced the Oke Centre in a race to touch the ball down but did so just as the ball crossed the dead ball line and a series of chances were wasted through a lack of composure. Skipper Rice did well to lead by example and was at the forefront of everything Honiton did as was No 8 Norman. Lee 'pie-face' Clark got the man of the match award though for an excellent dispaly on the wing, particularly in defence. Meadows left the field with suspected hamstring trouble and was replaced by Sloman with Wood moving to 9. Honiton continued to press right up until the final whistle but were finally defeated as a counter attack from Okehampton on the final play of the game resulted in an unconverted try out wide. The Lacemen have two remaining home games against Tiverton (5/4/10) and Barnstaple (10/4/10) and will need to win both to secure a semi-final place. With Honiton's line-out now a weakness rather than a key strength and poor tackling creeping in, the coaching staff look certain to enforce tough changes to avoid further disappointment this season. Training this week will be boosted by a specialist session given by Launceston RFC duo Tony Yapp and Keith Brookings, aided by local boy and Launceston player Nathan Hannay. Thanks go to Aaron Spence of A.S. Builders Ltd and to Colts Manager Jason Fahy's company Liberata Ltd for their sponsorship. |
| Team Details: | 12.00 meet and we leave 12.15 sharp; with or without Rice. Team news is that Wilkins returns for Baily, who is AWOL this week, and joins Clements and Dalton in the front row. Falkner and Harradance continue in the engine room and with the returning Sloman waiting eagerly on the bench, both will need to step up a couple of gears. Fahy, Price and Norman are the back row. Meadows and skipper Rice (the talented one) do 9 & 10 with Kingwell and Hyland in the midfield and Pie-face, Wood and Small as the back three. Guys; we did the talking Wednesday so no long speech on here. We now need to execute. Interesting conversation with Sloman Wednesday night though. He asked me to work out how he could become English as despite us not being on top form at the moment he says we always end up above Wales - poor kid! He was claiming he was born near Bristol and all that; very mixed up. Oh, and thanks for all the enquiries about my lip after the cheap shot from Pie-face on Wednesday (stuck the shoulder in as I was slipping on the hard-court). I'm fine; he'll get his on Tour! "Chilli - me too hot, too spicy"!! 1. Wilkins 2. Clements 3. Dalton 4. Falkner 5. Harradance 6. Fahy 7. Price 8. Norman (vice Skipper) 9. Meadows 10. Rice (Skipper) 11. Pie-face 12. Kingwell 13. Hyland 14. Wood 15. Small 16. Sloman |