Honiton claimed a very welcome 20-12 victory when they entertained Exeter Saracens at a sun-kissed Allhallows.

With the visitors pitching up in East Devon sitting one place below Honiton in the league who were, before the start, just one point above the three club drop zone, meaning there was plenty at stake!

Honiton won the toss and elected to play up the field and it was clear they had intent they were denied and early score, but straight after, they crossed when Jason Hannay broke from a ruck and raced clear to cross the whitewash.

Honiton then enjoyed the lions share of possession and, with the return of Will Goulden in the front row, his crew dominated the set piece to give Honiton good platform ball!

The Lacemen increased their lead on 16 minutes when Robbie Harrison bulldozed over from short range. Webber kicked the extras and the home side held a comfortable 12 point lead.

Despite several near misses there was no further scoring before the break.

Honiton, with the slope advantage, were perhaps guilty of thinking the job was done, and two consecutive sin bindings didn’t help the cause!

The Lacemen kicked an early penalty to go fifteen points up, but Saracens got back into the game with a well worked try.

Moments later they scored again with a converted try and suddenly the Lacemen were just holding a three points lead at 15-12.

Honiton continued to plug away, but, despite several opportunities and five-metre scrums, the visitors managed to keep them at bay.

With the clock ticking down Honiton finally breached the Saracens defence one more time with Goulden crashing over for the match sealing try.

An important victory for the Lacemen indeed, but they could, indeed should, have won by a greater margin.

The scrum was dominant throughout and young Jack Proctor was picked out as the Honiton Man of the Match.

This Saturday (March 14), the Lacemen have a match day off. They return to action the following Saturday when the visitors to Allhallows will be Falmouth.