Honiton 2nds went down 39-5 when they visited Sidmouth 2nds for their latest action.

The home side are a powerful unit this season and they made a flying start, scoring an early try. From the re-start the home dominance continued and, despite some heroic defending, particularly from Louis Lane, Sidmouth scored a second try.

Already 10-0 down, Honiton suffered a further early blow with the loss of influential skipper Ben Welch, who went into the game carrying an injury picked up seven days before. Things got even worse for the visitors shortly after as they lost Austin Elliot – off to hospital with a dislocated finger!

Two more tires took the home side into a 22-0 lead before John Galling, who had taken on the captaincy after the loss of Welch, rallied his men and they began to apply pressure of their own!

After some great phase play from Robin Bennett and the pack together with quick hands involving young Sam Heathcote and Sam Olive, it was another colt, Dom Lovesy, who got over the home line and, at half-time, the Lacemen trooped off trailing 22-5.

In the second half, some very good rugby from the Lacemen coupled with some defending that showed true grit and determination that has been a feature this year, was broken by the intense attacking from the home side, who crossed for three further tries.

Praise has to be given to Sidmouth as they have a great side this year and showed why they are in top spot. Also, a big thank you, to the Sidmouth physio, who helped out with injuries during the game.

Galling, along with both Robin and Phil Bennett again had great games, but it Tom Holmes, who hasn’t played since he was colt some three or four years ago, that took the Man of the Match plaudits – his tackling and effort were second to none!