Despite losing their final game of the league season, 15-7 at Barnstaple Athletic, Withycombe RFC are guaranteed a top-half finish.
In rainy conditions, the Withies aimed to gain some good field position through the aerial route, but with each kick, Barnstaple would return the ball with a couple extra yards interest.
A line-out in a good position set the scene for Withies to break the deadlock. Following a couple subsequent penalties, Withycombe took the lead with Jack Fear crashing over the try line off the back of a driving maul. Tom Cooke’s conversion attempt sailed through the posts to gain the full seven points.
Barnstaple responded immediately though, controlling the ball well from the restart, eventually creating the overlap and an opportunity for the winger to break and swan dive over the line. The conversion from 10-15m out missed the mark and Withy kept a narrow 5-7 lead.
The second half started with Barum in control, pinning the Withies inside their own half. With increasing pressure, the ball slowly made its way towards the try line. A penalty kick to touch put them in a good position for their second try with another flying dive in the corner. The conversion was again missed but Barnstaple now had the lead.
With Barum’s bench making the difference, their experienced players started to gain the upper hand, pushing relentlessly inside the Withy 22’. The visiting defence stood strong to deny any scoring, eventually earning the turnover and a chance to clear their lines.
With the penalty count building against Withy, they were placed on a team warning, eventually losing Joe Blyth to the sin bin.
This extra man turned out to be the golden opportunity for the home side as they exploited the gap in defence to score in the corner on the 75th minute to extend their lead past to 15-7. Unfortunately, despite a final flurry of play inside the Barum half, Withy were unable to conjure up any points to close the gap with the final score ending Barnstaple Athletic 15, Withycombe 7.
Withy now have a couple weeks off but return on April 1, when they welcome South Molton to Raleigh Park in round one of the Devon Junior Cup.
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