Withycombe edge past Honiton in derby thriller

It would be the visitors who would get themselves on the scoresheet first though, as they used the speed in the backs to get the ball wide and break through from halfway to score. Honiton built on this and, in a carbon copy of the previous try, broke through from the halfway to score under the posts once again shortly after for a 0-14 lead after 16 minutes. 

Withy pressure was converted into points with Callum Tose gaining his first try for the senior side in the corner of the field. The driving maul proved potent again on the half-hour mark with Chris Gibbons crashing over the line in Clubhouse Corner, reducing the gap to 12-14. 

Honiton claimed another seven points before half-time courtesy of a break through the centre. As the second forty began, Withycombe were temporarily reduced to fourteen with try-scorer Gibbons being sent to the sin bin. Despite this, the home side were the team to increase their points tally thanks to a Tom Cooke penalty. 

The Ton extended their lead further after more use of their backs as a well-placed chip kick found the awaiting second-rower who would run to the try line to bring the score to 15-28 after 60 minutes. 

Callum Tose offloaded to Bryn Cresswell for the next Withycombe score but a high tackle from Lewis Vaughan saw the home centre sent off. Honiton had the win within their grasp but a lapse five minutes from time saw Cooke race clear to score beneath the posts, putting just a single point between the two sides.  

In the final minute, Withycombe were awarded a penalty directly in front of the posts; giving Cooke the easiest decision of the game to go for goal. The kick bisected the posts, putting Withy ahead for the first time with less than 30 seconds remaining.  

Honiton took the restart with the ball landing in Withy hands; the ball was secured and kicked dead to bring an end to the game to the sound of erupting celebrations from the home crowd.