Withycombe Rugby Club away to Minehead Rugby Club -  31st October 2009

Minehead 18 – Withycombe 17

Both sides seemed nervous at the start of this game. Both teams wanted to play attacking rugby but both conceded penalties when within 5 metres of the opponents try line.

This game of “to and fro” attacking rugby with its fair share of knock-ons and penalties continued for 30 minutes. Both sides would gain possession and then concede resulting in significant periods of play just either side of the half way line. Dead lock was broken when Withycombe conceded a penalty from which Minehead won their lineout to run in a try and go 5 - 0 ahead.

Withycombe countered strongly and just short of the Minehead line were awarded a penalty. Ollie Ellsworth (10) slotted the ball over to give Withycombe their first points of the afternoon.

Poor marking by Withycombe let in Minehead for their second unconverted try. The half ended Minehead 10 Withycombe 3.

The second half began well for Withycombe as a strong move started by the pack changed the face of the game. The backs lead by Jimmy Holman (12) chased after a kick towards the Minhead line. The ball bounced over Jimmy’s head but luckily there were two players in support and it was Adam Lawes (14) who caught the ball and broke through to score. Ollie Ellsworth (10) took the conversion to level the scores.

The restart saw Minehead fumble and knock on. A subsequent infringement resulted in a penalty for Withycombe just short of the 5metre line. Go for the points was the cry from the Withycombe supporters but the players wanted to attack and kicked to touch. Withycombe won the line out and the pack pushed towards the Minehead line. Sam Manning (1) was able put the ball down for a try and Ollie Ellsworth added the vital two points to give Withycombe a 7 point lead..

Hopes were high in the Withycombe camp that they could hold onto their lead but unfortunately Minehead countered and secured possession. Withycombe knocked on. Minehead won their scrum and their pack pushed strongly and were able score in almost a replay of the Withycombe move.

With 5 minutes left to play and the score at 15 - 17. Minehead attacked again forcing Withycombe to defend. Then Minehead conceded a penalty close to Withycombe line. Withycombe cleared their lines, won the lineout but the ball was adjudges not to have been straight. Minehaed won the resulting scrum and kicked for touch. Again Withycombe won the lineout but again the ball was again adjudged not to have been straight. Minehead won the scrum, passed the ball across the pitch and attacked again. In the 6th minute Withycombe were deemed to have infringed and a penalty awarded against them. Minehead kicked the penalty to close the game out.

Withycombe were bitterly disappointed to have been so close to victory and will have to regroup for next Saturdays home game against Truro. The backs are starting to play well and if some consistency in selection is possible then that elusive first win of the season is not far away.

Withycombe Rugby Club at home to Tiverton Rugby Club - Saturday 24th October 2009

Withycombe 18  Tiverton 23

Withycombe moved into a strong attacking position from the outset and it looked as if first blood would be to the home team but alas the attacking move broke down and against the run of play Tiverton were able to open the scoring.

The restart was caught by Withycombe’s no 5 who lead a charge down field. Tiverton conceded a penalty. Withycombe won the lineout and continued towards the Tiverton line, winning a second lineout on the Tiverton 5 metre line. The pack drove towards the line, Al Loaring, no 8 broke off and went over to equalise the score.

Tiverton restarted with a long kick. Withycombe conceded a penalty in front of their goal which gave Tiverton an easy 3 points.

Withycombe restarted by also kicking long, attacking and giving No 15 Adam Law the chance to go over for his first try. Withycombe seized their opportunity and attacked again. Tiverton were penalised for being offside and Richard Hall took his points to put Withycombe in front. Withycombe then just relaxed a tad allowing Tiverton to score and so bring an exciting first half to a close at 13 – 13.

Tiverton started the second half very strongly and a strong Withycombe defence was forced to concede a penalty. Tiverton were ahead. Tiverton pushed home their advantage after Withycombe lost their Number 8 with a bad back. A weakened Withycombe pack was pushed off the ball, a penalty was conceded and Tiverton were able to add another 7 points.

Withycombe came back strongly and an attacking move was bought to an end when No 10 Richard Hall was knocked out and later taken off the field to hospital. For a full 15 minutes Withycombe mounted attack after attack before Tiverton conceded a penalty. Full back Adam Law passed to Jimmy Holman who made great headway before off loading to Tom Howell Richards who went over for an unconverted try. Try as they may Withycombe were unable to break through and ended the game 18-23.

This was an exciting match which will have gone a long way to boosting the confidence of the team. Hopes will be high when Withycombe make the journey to Minehead this week end.

Withycombe Rugby Club at home to Tavistock Rugby Club - Saturday 10th October 2009

Withycombe 19 Tavistock 48

Withies Beaten After Slow Start

Withycombe were destroyed in a thirty minute opening spell by Tavistock who will certainly be in the mix for a promotion place at the end of the season. They were helped by a Withies side who looked lethargic and not the same side who did so well at Devonport Services last week.

Playing with the slope and breeze Tavistock started very strongly and it became clear that Withies were going to struggle as Tavvies looked more structured and sharp. Some weak Withies tackling soon saw the away side take a two try advantage with tries from centre Doug Lloyd and then winger Danny Luffman. Briefly Withycombe steadied the ship briefly but then were hit by a three try blitz just before the thirty minute mark. Those tries coming from Mark Hennessey, Richard West and another from Luffman. With Hennessey kicking the extras the score line of 36-0 looked very ominous for the home side. However just before the interval Withycombe started to show some improvement and right on the half time whistle John Parkin dotted down right on the line after the forwards had created the chance from the set. The score was converted by Jack Pugsley.

With the slope in their favour in the second half and with the discovery of the some extra commitment Withies took the game to Tavistock and the opening twenty minutes was largely spent in the away teams half. In that time Withies scored further tries through Jasca Saeck and another for Withies man of the match Parkin. With one of the score converted and the score at 36-19 it was just possible for an upset.

Unfortunately the damage had been done in the first half and chasing the game is not easy and gaps were allowed in search of the extra score and Tavvies took advantage of this and were able to hit Withies with two late scores with flanker Duncan Lloyd going over and another from Lloyd.

Hopefully Withies will learn from this result and introduce more structure to their game and preparation must be improved to survive opening onslaughts and perhaps impose their dominance on game earlier in proceedings. Next week Withies are at leaders Kingsbridge and will need to be aware particularly in the opening stages of the game and so impose their authority on the game and possibly cause the upset of the season.

Withycombe Rugby Club away to Devonport Services - Saturday 3rd October 2009

Devonport Services 16 Withycombe 16

Withies Unlucky Not To Record First Win

On a gusty afternoon at the Rectory, Withies showed great character to nearly record first win of the season. Certainly all those who competed should feel a job was well done and had a number of openings been exploited in the first half Withycombe could have had three further tries.

From the outset Withies took the game to Services and within the first twenty minutes away pressure was rewarded with three excellently struck penalties from skipper of the day Rich Hall. During this period backs Hall, Jasca Saeck and Adam Morris came close to penetrating the Services back division and Quicker release of the ball might well have lead to scoring opportunities for speedster Jimmy Holman.

The second quarter saw Services start to take command of the game and some weak tackling saw two tries from the home side, one from a rolling maul for prop Jack Martin and one from winger Ben Ashford. With none of the tries converted Services edged into 10-9 lead that was added to with a Matt Antiss strike from thirty metres.

Another penalty after the interval gave Services a 16-9 lead and after previous Withies performances the neutral would have felt he game was up for the away side but Withies started to put together their best rugby, certainly since pre season friend lies. Devonport services hardly got out of their own territory and when they did it only courtesy of veteran Antiss with telling distance kicking. However Withies looked stronger outside and mustered strong counter attacks and sustained pressure eventually saw Saeck break a tackle to crash over for a converted score.

At 16-16 for the last ten minutes it was a nervy affair as both sides looked to win the game but both defences held out.

Withycombe host newly promoted Tavistock on Saturday with 2.30 pm KO and will hope to continue on the improvement made against Devonport Services.