Honiton took a huge step towards securing Western Counties West rugby next season with a 35-17 win over the Plymouth Barbarians on Saturday afternoon. On a sunny Vice-Presidents’ day Honiton had to come from 17-3 down to grind out the win they so desperately needed.

Following the game, news came through that Falmouth had defeated third-placed Teignmouth in Cornwall. This means that Honiton need just one more win to gain promotion to the Western Counties West league, a level which the town has never played before.

It is a defining time for the club and all those who have worked so hard to make it happen, not just on the field but behind the scenes as well. Next week Honiton travel to Tavistock in a match that will determine the destination of the league trophy. It will be a massive game, and the club would love your support. It is a long way, but your attendance would be gratefully received.

Plymouth were leading 17-11 at the interval. It was simply a case of sticking to the task in the second half as the one way traffic continued in the same vein as the latter half of the first period.

Channing, two tries , conversions and a penalty and Huskins, try, were the scorers.

After the break Channing kicked a penalty but Honiton were banging on the door for sometime before they made the decisive break through.

There were errors in the open play that Honiton will not be able to afford next week, but eventually their persistence paid off as Channing crossed from ten yards out after breaking the line. He converted and then did more or less exactly the same five minutes later to put Honiton in the driving seat. However, it was the bonus point that they were really after.

Errors meant that it wouldn’t come, and as the Baa Baa’s broke clear in the last two minutes it looked like the last chance had gone.

However, Honiton won a scrummage deep in their own twenty two. They lost the ball against the head, but as the south Devon side attacked Honiton in the last phase of the game Hannay hacked the ball out of a ruck and chased on to the bounce. He opened his legs, and cheered on by the large crowd he found his Skipper Rice to his right who out sprinted the tired defence from the half way line. Channing rubbed in the salt with the conversion to draw to an end a tough day at the office.

Torquay 50, Honiton 2nds 28

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Honiton seconds travelled down to the English Riviera for their last away game of a long old season, writes Tom Churchward.

In an entertaining game, Honiton lost out 50-28 to their Torquay counterparts. Torquay, who had a 30-strong squad, took the lead with some good hands to cross over in the corner. Honiton edged in front after good work at the lineout saw Robert Price pounce on a Torquay mistake to cross over. The conversion was nailed by Luke Kenny. The remainder of the half was even but Torquay made their chances count to take a 28-7 lead into the break.

Honiton set out in the second half to claw back the difference. However, on a hot day, Torquay’s strength in depth paid off and with fresh legs on the field, they crossed over for a further two tries to put the game to bed. Steve Lane received a 10 minute break for what was classed a dangerous tackle. However, Honiton scored three quick tries- Sam Collins crossed over after some good work by the pack, and the impressive Robert Price got his second of the game. These were sandwiched by the returning Eddie the Otter who scored his maiden try. All were converted by Kenny to bring the score to 38-28. Realising the result was now in danger, Torquay piled on the pressure and scored two further tries to see the game off.

and leave the result 50-28 to the seasiders. Whilst the result was not great, the performance can not be faulted against a much stronger squad, and a good evening was had on the way back home. Next week sees the visit of local rivals Cullompton to Allhallows.

Honiton’s in-form U14s travelled over the border to Dorset to take on Bridport and in an exciting end-to-end game they worked hard to secure a 41-26 win.

Bridport offered stiff opposition throughout. Honiton's scores were from Man of the Match Ben Morris, Hamish O'Brien, Kyle Brooks and both Tom Holmes and Will Tyres dotted down a brace each. O'Brien took on the kicking duties and slotted three conversions. Once again a great team performance.

?The U15s produced a demolition job on a hapless Teignmouth outfit. The 10-try rout was ended by the ref at 60-0 a good 10 minutes early. There were eight conversions slotted by kicking specialist Harry Wright and a drop goal conversion by Wez Keywood. Tries: Jonny House 3, Wright and Connor Long, 2, and Keywood, Ben Kidson and Mike Knucky also scored. George Dowse got his d�but try having only recently joined the strong out fit.

Hopefully this win will also be just the tonic for absent influential skipper, Ritchie Webber, who's been seriously laid low with glandular fever and will unfortunately miss the rest of the season.