Honiton 2nds suffered a 54-17 defeat on their visit to Withycombe 2nds.

The Lacemen second string were at good strength for the match and they began well.

The first half was an even contest with both Sam Collins and Joe Keep crossing the Withy try line for scored that were answered by the hosts with three of their own to lead 17-10 at the break.

Unfortunately there was a nasty injury sustained by Alex Davies during an innocuous pile-up just four minutes before the interval which necessitated a 40-minute delay while the player received treatment.

The incident clearly had an affect on the other Honiton players – seeing ‘one of their own’ pick up a nasty injury – and, in the second half, as the weather worsened, Honiton began to leak tries!

Making life that much tougher for the Lacemen was the Withy 10/12 combination – two good players who were a handful throughout the contest every time they received the ball.

Austin Elliot, Sam Collings and Joe keep were the names mentioned in dispatches by Honiton 2nds skipper ‘Footie’, but the final score was a disappointing one for all involved with the Withy team.

In an attempt to ‘cheer him up’, the Man of the Match award went to the unfortunate Alex Davis, who had a painful afternoon to say the least, and there was a big hand to Simon Lancaster for looking after him whilst he was stricken on the ground.