Honiton 2nds were defeated 15-0 against the Exmouth Nomads at the Imperial on Saturday. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref mhsp 0292-10-13SH To order your copy of this photograph go to www.midweekherald.co.uk and click on MyPhotos24.

Honiton 13, Exeter Chiefs 15

On a very cold Sunday Honiton Under-16s entertained the mighty Chiefs who are a side that cause me great concern in the hampering of developing of community rugby, writes Jerry Rice.

My well versed arguments comes from the fact they have the biggest catchment/population area for players by far, but still manage to try and take players from all of the other local community clubs in the county and then to make it worse, they then insist on joining in a league that then plays against the other local clubs.

With this in mind there was great credit for the Honiton performance, and they only just lost by 15-13 and if truth be told they were the better side and certainly lacked any good fortune going their way.

Playing on the top pitch Harry Wright put Honiton ahead with a well struck penalty, but the Chiefs, on a rare visit into Honiton half, had a lucky bounce and cantered in for a converted try.

The hosts rallied and spent the rest of the half camped in the Chiefs territory and, despite looking dangerous, it was only stout defence that kept the Lacemen at bay.

Richy Webber broke the deadlock when he crashed over for a converted try to make it 10-7 to the home side. Unfortunately, a defensive error saw the Chiefs score again to lead 12-10. Honiton, unperturbed, took the game to the opposition and were rewarded with a penalty which Wright slotted over for a narrow point lead and they looked to have done enough to win the game, but in the final seconds a dubious penalty was awarded, and, under pressure, the Chiefs kicker delivered the get-out-of- jail-card kick to win the match, much against the run of play.

All said and done this was a great game and Honiton can hold their heads high in what was a fine team performance again. Honiton’s front row of Ben Logan, Daryl Young and Finn Parratt were awarded the Man of the Match award for their clear dominance over their opponents.