Derby Day Delight for Withy

The boys head back up the road with a full five points  

The bi-annual showdown between Withycombe and Exmouth took place at a packed Imperial Recreation Ground this weekend with both teams looking to gain local bragging rights.

The hosts got the game underway and, following a brief period of equal exchanges, began to gain ground on Withy, pinning them inside their own half. The early pressure was rewarded with some points with a drop goal after seven minutes. 

Withies responded well, forcing Exmouth back into their 22’. Unfortunately, with the ball eventually being lost forward, Exmouth could regain a little control.

With the opening quarter coming to an end, Withy were once again on the front foot and with it, a chip kick from Liam Daniels opened up a footrace between the two Scrum halves, with Withy’s Alex Peterson making good ground to pounce on the ball and score. Withycombe now held the lead and were keen to keep hold of it! 

Although not always getting large period of possession, Withy continued to play well and were able to repel any Exmouth advances.

Ahead of the break, both sides had opportunities from the tee, but with both attempts drifting wide of the mark the sides swapped ends with the Withies a whisker ahead at 3-5.

Withycombe got the second half underway and with both sides still evenly matched, the crowds of supporters were treated to plenty of end-to-end action. With the third quarter drawing to a close, Exmouth thought they’d scored, but with the whistle in fact signalling a penalty against them, had to quickly turn and face a Withy side that were now even more keen on extending their lead rather than losing it! Just three minutes later, the visitors did just that as some great teamwork from the penalty resulted in Luke Pattison crashing through the defenders on the 10m line and breaking free to score. Tom Cooke’s conversion now gave Withy a 3-12 lead.

By this point, momentum was building for the boys in green and black, and with some effective carries and potent crash ball releasing Elliot Lewis for another sprint to the line, there was a second quick score under the posts. Another conversion later and the score now stood at 3-19 with just under twenty minutes to play. 

The Quins weren’t going to give up however, as they got themselves back into the game, creating an overlap on the wing to score in the corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide, but the points gap was reduced to 11 points…. For a few minutes at least. 

Withycombe secured the bonus point just five minutes later after a pinpoint long-range pass from midfield found the hands of Jayden Gore who dived in at the corner, much to the delight of the mass of travelling supporters whose cheers filled the ground.

There was still ten minutes remaining, and Exmouth still wanted something out of the game. Some quickfire play saw them score to the side of the posts, the rushed conversion attempt went wide, and time was running out for many more chances. 

With the clock now well into the red, the final flurry of action went Withies’ way and with it another Pattison break, but with the ball being held up in the tackle, the score was denied – but with it the final whistle blew. The score: Exmouth Quins 13, Withycombe 24.

A great game for the spectators and a proper derby classic with plenty of action from start to finish. Withies had gained their third consecutive win at the Imperial Recreation Ground and for now, at least, rugby in Exmouth is green and black!

Next up for Withy is the arrival of third-placed Honiton, who will look to be another stern challenge for the boys. Kick off at Raleigh Park will be at 2:30pm