Last Gasp Kick Seals the Deal

Withies claim the win with a penalty on 80 minutes

Saturday’s encounter with third-placed Honiton was always billed to be a close match, but an astonishing final quarter made it a real humdinger for the hosts. 

Withy started the game strongly and were given an opportunity of some early points from the tee, unfortunately the ball drifted wide, and scores remained at 0-0.

Throughout the opening quarter, Withycombe were able to hold the territorial advantage, pinning the visitors inside their own half. However, a sudden Honiton break saw them make a dash to the try line, Withy were back quickly to defend, but with the whistle blowing, Honiton thought they’d scored – in fact, it was a penalty against them for holding on and Withy could clear their lines.

The second quarter was very much Honiton’s as they controlled large periods of the play, eventually coming away with a penalty and a 0-3 lead after 30 minutes. 

It wasn’t all good news for the ‘ton though and when Fly Half Steve Smart was sent to the sin bin for dissent, they had to defend against a keen Withy side with a man down. With no further points scored, the score at the break was 0-3.

The Visitors got the half underway and soon managed to double their points tally with another penalty. Honiton were now playing downhill and with intent and were beginning to really gain the upper hand and with a converted try next to the posts, things were looking concerning for the boys in green and black. Withies continued to battle away and level out the possession, but a further three points from the Lacemen saw them lead 0-16 with an hour on the clock. 

However, going three scores behind spurred Withy into action; and rather than drop their heads, they upped the pace and played their way up the field. With a good attacking phrase being curtailed by a knock-on, another chance had been extinguished - or at least that’s what we’d thought! Honiton won their scrum, but when the ball was dropped in the clearing pass, Alex Petersen took his opportunity and pounced on the loose ball to score Withy’s opening try. Tom Cooke’s conversion topped up the points to bring the score to 7-16. 

Withycombe had reignited the flair they’d shown in the opening quarter of the match and were matching, and beating, anything Honiton had to bring. Now back inside the visiting 22’ the tryline was looming and when almost all options on the right-hand side of the field had been explored, a cross-field kick quickly shifted play left and into the hands of Winger Joel Ranft who made a dash down the wing and across the line. A second Cooke conversion and Withies had closed the gap to just two points and ten minutes to chase down the win. 

After some enthralling end-to-end play, and the clock now in its 80^th minute, Withy were awarded a penalty 8 meters inside the Honiton half. Up stepped Cooke who slotted the kick with absolute precision and with it had won the game to rapturous celebrations from the home crowd! 

The final score, Withycombe 17, Honiton 16. 

Once again, the team dug in and showed some real strength to come away with a fourth straight victory, seeing them ascend to fifth in the league standings after nine matches.

There’s a week off for the side now as they have a well-earned rest before heading to Mid-Devon to face South Molton at Unicorn Park in a fortnight’s time.