Honiton RFC 1st team played Wellington on Saturday, January 4. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref mhsp 1327-02-13AW. To order your copy of this photograph, go to www.midweekherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24

Honiton RFC 1st XV 6, Wellington 22

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Honiton lost out to Wellington 22-6 in a hotly- contested encounter at Allhallows on Saturday afternoon. With the game at 6-12 going into the final 10 minutes Wellington used their guile and experience to take the game away from the Lacemen, writes Nick Guilbert.

The home side were determined to start 2013 in better fashion than they left 2012, and started the game with intent. Playing up the slope they controlled the game with a sensible kicking game in the early exchanges. The visitors were a well-drilled unit, led by player coach Sims, and their forwards maintained a sharp, chiselled edge that the Honiton pack worked hard to blunt all day.

Coutts Tucker ran the ball well for the Lacemen throughout, and showed his versatility by slotting back in at no 15.

Wellington were the first to strike, as they turned the ball over in the midfield and spun the ball out to the left. They used good handling skills to create space for the winger who finished well down the touch line.

Honiton were giving as good as they got and the majority of the play took place in the midfield area. The set piece was evenly contested at both scrum and line out creating a tight game. With 10 minutes to go until the break Honiton won a lineout on the right and moved the ball to the left. They were turned over and gave away a penalty which was taken quickly. This allowed the away side’s nine to break through and he fed the winger on the right who crossed for an unconverted effort.

At 12-0 down Honiton needed something and it came from the re-start. Hannay did well to disrupt the catch and Honiton won a scrum. Hyland carried well from the set piece, before Guilbert offloaded to Hodge. Hodge was hauled down four yards short before Lane was stopped on the line. As it was, play was taken back for penalty in the Lacemen’s favour which Meadows buried to bring the scores to 3-12 at the break.

As so often has been the case this season, Honiton were in it at half time, and they started the second half well, breaking into the Wellington half and forcing a penalty. Meadows went short, but knocked over a closer effort shortly afterwards as Honiton came back into the game.

As the half wore on, Honiton looked dangerous, but their lineout became an issue and Wellington worked their way back into the game.

Reinforcements helped the Wellington cause and, as Honiton threw everything at it in the last 10 minutes, they conceded a couple of late tries which rubbed salt into the wounds.

Again a great effort from the Lacemen, but again short of the required result. Next week Honiton travel to Truro.