| Honiton Score: | 50 |
| Opponents Score: | 10 |
| Fixture Date: | 13 Mar 2010 |
| Fixture Type: | League |
| Home: | Away |
| Kick Off: | 3.00 |
| Match Report: | YEAH BABY! Honiton claimed a major scalp on Saturday as they roasted South Devon side Salcombe 50-10 at the riverside. With Salcombe in second position in the league, Honiton desperately needed a win to sustain their promotion ambitions. They blew away their hosts with some fine running rugby scoring eight tries in the process. On a bright day, suitable for running rugby, Honiton received the kick off and immediately made in roads. In truth Honiton’s start was almost too fast as they slung the ball around looking for gaps; often they lost control at key times during the opening period. As it was Salcombe were first to score as they cleared their lines from a penalty and won the subsequent line out. The ball was fired out into the midfield where the number twelve broke the line with ease before carrying the ball to the right hand side of the field and offloading. Honiton could not halt the attack and the winger crossed in the corner to the delight of the home crowd. As the Lacemen watched the conversion go wide they knew that they just had to add that element of control and the game would be theirs for the taking. And so it proved as they quickly turned the ball over and mounted some serious pressure on the Salcombe line. Following some good work from the forwards Nex was presented with the chance to score and he made no mistake as he burrowed over from seven yards. Webber was unfortunate with the conversion, but he would have a successful attempt shortly afterwards as Honiton ran the kick off into the midfield. De Large chipped ahead from the second phase for full back Rice to gather on the full. Good support play from winger Canniford allowed Hannay the chance to score, and although he was tackled five yards short he was not held and he scrambled over to push the Lacemen into the lead. Honiton were dominant from there on in, and a well worked six ball provided yet more space for the industrial Skipper Hannay. He did well to straighten the attacking line and offloaded out of the tackle to Nex who was rewarded with a second try for some positive support play. Webber pushed the Lacemens score to 19 points. Salcombe kept Honiton at bay for ten minutes, and eventually won a scummage in their own twenty two. Having cleared the ball they chased down full back Rice who did well to offload to his brother in the number eight shirt. Josh Rice straightened well and carried through the gain line before drawing the full back. Canniford was on hand to receive the try scoring pass and dot down under the posts to Webber’s delight. Before half time Salcombe elected to go for uncontested scrums, which did not go down well with the travelling support. At it was Honiton led 26-5 at the break. The Lacemen knew they just had to maintain their efforts and enjoy the second half. Barrett replaced De Large as the second half began. Honiton had some difficulty clearing their lines, and were forced into defending their line. As seen in previous weeks the Lacemen’s defence was strong as the repelled the fishermen time and time again. The defensive pressure eventually told as a wild pass was thrown in the midfield. Substitute Barrett raced on to the pass and cantered in from sixty five yards to dishearten the home side. In truth it was a good reward for Barrett who had marshalled the defence well from the twelve channel in the fifteen minutes prior to that. Honiton continued to struggle out of their half, but when they elected to kick down the field, Selway, on for Canniford gathered and offloaded to Barrett. Barrett outpaced the defence again to score under the posts for another converted score. Salcombe’s heads were truly down but they pressed on and were rewarded when a move down the right broke the Honiton line and the outside centre squeezed over fifteen yards right of the posts for an unconverted score. Honiton knew that wasn’t good enough and with hard-working Pavey on the field another flowing counter attack provided Spiller with the chance to canter down the right. He did so successfully and dived over in the corner to extend his sides lead. As the clock ticked towards the end, Honiton again broke through and a wonderful passage of support play say Doidge carry the ball on from five yards out. He crossed the line with help from the pack but couldn’t get the ball down. Honiton had a scrummage five yards out with the last play and a training ground move came off as decoy runners allowed Sampson to target some loose arms and cross seven yards from the left touchline to round off a fine afternoon for the Lacemen. It’s essential that Honiton maintain this winning steak and avoid any complacency. There are some real banana skins coming up with trips to Plymouth, and Honiton cannot afford any mistakes. Honiton travel to Salcombe this week in a what you could call a big game. Salcombe sit second above Honiton in this new promotion league. Honiton have played fewer games, and if they can win them and beat Salcombe home and away they stand a fantastic chance of getting second, and a play off place. That would be a great achievement and I know everyone at the club is desperate for promotion out of this league. But it won’t happen without a bit of graft, guts and pride. All things we’ve got inside us, all things we can put on our shoulders come 3pm on Saturday. Rice is doing the honours at training for the foreseeable future, and began on Tuesday night. A big hand for a well structured session. Let’s get behind his thoughts and processes and put it in for Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Before we get on to team news, I do want to highlight the efforts of Skipper Jason Hannay and Vice Chris De Large for last 2 months. They’ve put in a lot of work on the training and keeping the unity over the last 8 weeks or so. Big hand from me and the rest of us. Now we are in this position where we can really do something this season, let’s do it. Team News Owen starts in the front row after an injury to Locke is joined by Huskins who moves across one to accommodate the returning Stegal at two. Doige and Findlay continue in the second row. Spiller and Skipper Hannay are on the flanks with Josh Rice at number eight. Nex filters back in to nine with Guilbert continuing at ten. De Large and Sampson are in the centres with Webber on one wing. Dobson has gone to watch the Grand Prix so Canniford is on the wing. Ollie Rice moves from number nine to full back this week as Garman doesn’t seem to be available either by the look of my sheet. Selway, Barrett and Pavey are on the bench. which means when they come on it will be impact players rather than just a sub. 11.45 meet. Wos On Harrison is away this week, as he’s moved into a place with his partner. Great news, and exciting times for them both. It was at this point I was going to lend some advice on the whole moving in together thing. Then I had a thought, am I really the best person to be lending advise on this particular topic???!!!????!! Quote of the week : "If you can't take a punch, you should play table tennis." Former French skipper and coach Pierre Berbizier illustrates his nation's attitude to on-pitch violence. |
| Team Details: |