Honiton RFC returned from the Christmas break with an outstanding 41-12 victory over Exeter Saracens, writes Justin Nuttall.

Rob Price returned the kick-off and Honiton got the ball into the Saracens half and, for the first few minutes of the half, stayed there but couldn’t score.

The Honiton dominance eventually saw them score a great try after a clever cross-field kick from Steve Smart was gathered and, one pass later, they got over the whitewash, conversion missed.

Saracens responded with a try of their own through their number eight, who ran a strong line to power his way over, conversion missed, 5-5.

It was the home team to score the next try. After spending ten minutes in the Saracens half, captain Johnny House scored off a scrum set-piece. He converted his own try for 12-5. Sarries missed two penalties to complete the half.

After the break, the Ton turned the ball over from the kick-off and, after several phases, Pierre Leconte got the ball over the line. Johnny House converted, 19-5.

The good start to the second half continued with Louis Lane touching down after a good break by Will Goulden, who found the veteran second rower on his inside shoulder, conversion missed, 24-5.

Sarries had a good passage of play and were rewarded with a try through their 12, who stepped inside to score under the posts.

The home side responded immediately through substitute front rower Matt Bailey, who barged over from short range. Conversion missed, 29-12. The scoring for the home side continued as they dominated the second period. 

Dom Bernhardt notched an opportunist try after some excellent pressure from the home pack saw the ball come loose in the dead ball area and he fell on the ball. Johnny House converted the try, 36-12.

Sam Olive was shown a yellow card for going over the top at the breakdown, which would be his last involvement in the game as the clock ticked down.

The Ton weren’t finished scoring though, and the fourteen men got another try, this time from James Goodman, who beat the away defence to score wide right, conversion unsuccessful, 41-12.