Withy Back to Winning Ways

The boys bounce back with five points at home

The boys bounce back with five points at home

After last weekend’s defeat on the road, it was important that Withy get straight back to winning ways this weekend. With a strong side and heaps of determination, they were ready to take on Tamar Saracens at Raleigh Park.

A strong start from Withy saw them set up camp inside the Sarries’ 22’ and began to apply pressure on the visitors. Some defiant early defence saw Tamar Saracens force the penalty and regain possession; however, little more than a minute later Withy were back where they’d began and this time came away with the points as Joe Parkin span around the defenders to give Withy the opening try of the match. Tom Cooke’s conversion gave Withy a 7-0 lead after five minutes. 

The try count was doubled shortly after as some wonderful team play and top-level handling created the gap for Matt Edworthy to touch down, taking a couple of defenders with him. 

With the first quarter of the game finished, Withy had to make a few early substitutions, which temporarily impacted their cohesion. This brief spell was enough to see the visitors earn three points from the tee. 

Withy were soon back firing on all cylinders however and were once again in possession of the ball. With a penalty kicked to touch, the catch-and-drive was set 10m out from the line. With the pack driving down the meters, the ball was released out to Joe Blyth who completed the move with a third try for the boys in green and black.

With every passage of play, confidence grew, and Withies had secured the bonus-point try before the half time whistle after Tom Cooke finished off another impressive driving maul to score in the corner of the pitch. The half time score, 26-3 to Withycombe.

The second half started off in a much slower fashion with a lot of stop/start play hampering either side’s chances of making any real gains during their periods of possession. It would be almost twenty minutes before any more points were scored. After managing to regain the upper hand in the encounter, Withy began to turn the screw once again and were duly rewarded with Liam Daniels breaking free on the wing to touch down in Clubhouse Corner. Cooke’s touchline conversion kept the scoreboard ticking over, extending the lead to thirty points. 

Withy still wanted more though and continued to play well as a team to attack well and defend well when needed. With just one minute remaining on the clock, Withy struck once more with Captain Liam Cullen crossing the whitewash off the back of another driving maul. With the conversion attempt dropping just short, the final whistle blew with the final score at Withycombe 38, Tamar Saracens 3.

A great result from the team who most definitely had a point to prove. 

The boys are back at home next weekend when they welcome another Plymouth Side – OPMs – to Raleigh Park in a match rescheduled following storm Darragh back in November. 

Kick off will be at 2:30pm.

This game will follow on from the 2^nd XV’s first fixture of the season where they’re taking on Devon Deaf at Raleigh Park. Kick off for that one will be at Midday.