The joys of being in the Devon and Cornwall league of senior rugby was fully realised on Saturday, as the meet time for the players was at 10am, writes Roger Dance.

The destination was Penzance where they had a date with the high-flying armature arm of the Pirates rugby club.

Penzance are going well this season and sit comfortably in fourth place so this was always going to be a tough fixture with out adding the travelling.

Despite the form book Honiton, with a nothing-to-lose approach, started brightly and were in fact first on the score sheet when Richard Hodges intercepted and cantered in for a converted try.

The home side regrouped, and, with Honiton conceding penalties, the territory gained saw them camp on Honiton’s line and from a series of well defended rucks they eventually broke the resolve to scored and break their duck.

With tails up the Cornishmen added to this in the 25th minute and, with another try right on the half-time whistle, they were a comfortable 19-7 up at the break.

Honiton battled on and were rewarded with an early second half try that Ben Webber dotted down. Pirates though, reacted well and scored straight after. Webber kept Honiton in it with a well struck penalty, but again errors from the Lacemen saw the home side score again to take them out to 31-15. Young Ross Oaten then clawed back a try when he intercepted and scored form long range and Webber added the extras. However, it was the home side who had the last word with the final try and this sent Honiton home empty handed with a 36-22 defeat.

Honiton enjoyed playing on the main pitch and showed much endeavour through out. It was an entertaining game that Honiton were, maybe, always going to struggle with. There was huge thanks to those who aren’t regulars for sitting on the bench and special thanks must go to Ross Oaten who on finding out his colts game was off, rushed to the meeting-time point for the senior XV to offer his services.