30th September 2011

DEVON RUGBY: Honiton rue spurned penalty

by Keith Jenkin

AS all but one of the clubs in my "flock" were playing away from home on Saturday last, I took myself over to Yeovil to watch the Ivel Barbarians take on Bridport, whom they bested by 24-10 after a game that did not reach spectacular heights as regards quality.

PAIGNTON 45 SIDMOUTH 19

Sidmouth have not come back from Paignton with much these many years, and on Saturday last, events ran true to form.

It started well enough, with the visitors taking the lead with a Whelan penalty goal. This was replied to in kind by Paignton, at which point Sidmouth suffered a real reversal when Whelan had to leave the field with a head injury and took no further part.

A second Sidmouth penalty goal, landed this time by Retter, regained the lead but they subsequently fell foul of authority, having two players sin-binned in quick succession, thus being reduced to 13.

Paignton made them pay for their indiscretions by scoring 10 unanswered points while their opponents were short handed and, although Retter landed a long-range penalty just before the break his side still trailed 13-9 at the halfway stage.

Paignton put daylight between the sides with a converted try, scored immediately on the resumption and, although Retter landed another long range effort after a home player had been yellow carded, they could not make their numerical superiority count further.

In fact it was the home side who made light of his absence by scoring a converted try and kicking a penalty goal.

The scoreline now stood at 30-13 in home favour and, on being restored to a full complement, Paignton touched down twice following catch and drives at lineouts close to the Sidmouth line. Both tries were converted, taking them well clear.

Sidmouth kept going however, imposed pressure and were rewarded with a converted try, touched down by Tom Hodge after he had taken advantage of a moment's inattention in the home defence.

It could not affect the result however and it was the Paignton out half who completed the scoring when he dropped a goal late on as his side ran the clock down.

Good sides do tend to make opponents pay when they are reduced in numbers. Sidmouth have picked up a few yellows this season, but have "got away with it" hitherto. They were certainly made to pay on Saturday last.

CREDITON 31 HONITON 22

This was a game that started rather better than it finished as far as Honiton were concerned.

It could not really have started any better for they were ten points to the good in as many minutes thanks to out half Channing. He put his side ahead by kicking a penalty, and then added the extras to his try.

Crediton have, in recent years, a pack that is adept at converting pressure into points however, and reduced the deficit when they got a pushover try before the game was 15 minutes old.

They kicked the conversion too, but this score was cancelled out by a Dobson try, again converted by Channing, later in the half.

More was to come before the break and Crediton reduced Honiton's lead to a single point when they mauled their way over their opponents' line and touched down. They added the extras for good measure and trailed 14-15 at the half way stage.

The second period too started well for Honiton, with number eight forward Josh Rice galloping over and Channing converting.

This took the score to 14-22 and a pivotal moment came soon after. Honiton were awarded a penalty on the home twenty two and in front.

They spurned the three points and went for the try and furthermore, almost scored it.

Crediton cleared however, went upfield and again surged over from a five metre scrummage.

This unconverted try reduced the home deficit to a single point and now, having seemingly found the secret they scored two more unconverted tries through their pack before the whistle for no side sounded to seal the win.

Whether to take the three points or to go for the five or seven will always be a subject for discussion. If Honiton had kicked the penalty they would have moved a score clear at 25-14.

On the other hand, if they had scored the try and converted it they would have been sitting pretty at 29-14 ahead.

I'll leave that argument to others and would suggest that Honiton will consider that Crediton's ability to score five tries, mainly from close range and via their eight, is rather more concerning.

HONITON 2nd 7 SOUTH MOLTON 2nd 29

The Honiton second side, rather like their firsts, flattered to deceive just a little.

They took an early lead when, after they had stolen possession at a lineout close to the visitors' line, Justin Nuttall crashed over for Ben Webber to convert.

This score was cancelled out before the break however by a similar converted effort by the visitors after they had worked an overlap out wide.

The second-half proved to be rather disastrous for Honiton. having lost a man to injury they have to play with 14 for much of the 40 minutes and South Molton took full advantage.

They sent the ball wide at every opportunity and scored four tries before the whistle for no side sounded to notch a very comfortable win.

PREVIEW

Strange to say but both HONITON and SIDMOUTH entertain sides from adjoining Cornish parishes on Saturday next.

PENRYN are the visitors to the Blackmoor, and I think they will be competitive, for the Cornish side were promoted after topping the Western Counties (West Division) last season.

The club has performed rather like a "yo-yo" in recent seasons and is, seemingly, in one of its resurgent phases.

If Sidmouth steer clear of the yellow card and play to their capabilities they should win by a couple of scores. It is certainly not beyond Penryn to spoil their day however.

The Allhallows side host FALMOUTH, once a giant of the Cornish rugby scene. They, like Honiton, have had a pretty reasonable start to their campaign and will most certainly be competitive.

I do think that home advantage will have told in this one by the time the whistle for "no side" sounds.

As to the second sides, Honiton seconds, like their firsts, play at home, and should have the beating of Tavistock seconds, for the West Devon side is not at its best currently.

Sidmouth take on Exmouth at second, third and colts levels, and will meet stiff opposition all round.

TOMORROWS FIXTURES

Honiton v Falmouth; Honiton 2nd v Tavistock 2nd; Sidmouth v Penryn; Exmouth 2nd v Sidmouth2nd; Sidmouth 3rd v Exmouth 3rd; Exmouth v Sidmouth Colts.