Honiton travelled to Exmouth with what could be described as an experimental side containing a blend of youth and veterans, writes Julian Hoyles
In hot conditions, it was the home side who took the lead, Honiton were unable to gather kick-off and a few phases later, the Exmouth number six scored, 7-0.
The defensive line was broken again through an Exmouth centre, conversion missed 12-0. Honiton rallied and for the next few minutes they enjoyed good possession and territory, but just couldn’t convert this in to getting on the scoreboard.
Exmouth ill discipline was preventing them from getting possession in the Honiton half but one spilled ball in the home side’s twenty two and a kick return saw them score on the far left. This try was converted 19-0, and was unfortunately followed by another converted try, 26-0.
Ben Kidson intercepted a long speculative pass and outpaced the home defence from over half the length of the field, the conversion was charged down 26-5.
Honiton were awarded a penalty early in the second half and off the line out, quick ball off the top saw Will Goulden score on the right. Conversion missed, 31-10.
With Honiton showing great determination not to capitulate to the home side, they displayed strong defence, and got another try through Ben Kidson who claimed his second of the match. The conversion was missed 31-15.
The final score was 36-15 but for Honiton, the result was immaterial, with so many players missing, it meant fulfilling the fixture was the important thing.
In the testing circumstances for the Ton, this was a tremendous effort by the players, and they can all be proud of their performance. As they say, rugby was the winner here.
On the professional scene, Exeter Chiefs opened their new season with an extraordinary 75-0 destruction of an inexperienced Bristol Bears side at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs ran in 11 tries under the blazing hot September sun, with Jacques Vermeulen and Tom Cairns scoring twice. The other tries were scored by Henry Slade, Matt Postlethwaite, Ben Hammersley, Dan Frost, Ethan Roots and Ross Vintcent. The impressive Slade was also imperious with the boot, adding eight conversions to the monumental score.
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