Sat 12 Mar 2022
It can’t be much fun as a sports team going on an away trip knowing that you are likely to get thoroughly beaten. Honiton without a win and only a few bonus points muct have viewed their trip to High House with a sense of trepidation, but like the England team’s captain of the side that went to Ireland during the troubles said ‘ at least we turned up’.
Honiton did indeed turn up and for the first few minutes matches the High House side and only a last ditch tackle from Dave Stephens, prevented them from taking an early lead. Order was restored however when centre Ben Glover went over in the corner to start the scoreboard turning over. The wide out conversion was missed. The lead was soon doubled as Mike Powell too the final pass to touch down. Newman was successful this time to make it 12-0.
The Kingsbridge forward power was bound to tell on the visitors and an explosive run from Scott Lowry was stopped just short of the line. From the ensuing ruck George Banfield crossed to take the home side into a 17-0 lead.
Playing with the wind at their backs an obvious tactic was kicking out of their own half for Kingsbridge and from one of those kicks from Ben Newman, the home side once more camped on the Honiton line. From a few yards out the pack were very difficult to stop and prop Buster James was driven over, which with Newman’s conversion made the score 24-0. Dave Stephens, playing with guys half his age, made the next try with a great run which was only halted by some desperate defending. Stuart Winzer was on hand to crash over for a 29-0 scoreline.
The next Kingsbridge try was probably one of the best of the afternoon with scrum half Jack Evans, number eight James Palmer and prop Stuart Winzer all involved with the latter touching down for his second of the afternoon. Newman’s successful kick made it 36-0 at the break.
Over the past few weeks when Kingsbridge have outplayed the opposition, they have tended to fall away in the second half, but Saturday proved to be an exception. With the pack now controlling the game completely Buster James was back on the score sheet again from a forward drive. A player who switches positions to help the team out is Stuart Harris. Last week he was on the wing but this week he was back in his usualu position in the back row. A fine mazy run by him got his first try of the game to take the score to 46-0.
A welcome return to playing for James ‘Dozer’ Westlake was rewarded with the next try. He has been helping out with the coaching recently but the desire to play was proving too strong. Another Stuart Harris try soon after along with a Newman conversion pushed the score up to 58-0. Sub James Oggelsby, turning out for the club whenever needed, finished off another delightful by Kingsbridge to make it 63-0.
There was just enough time for one more score through winger Joe Banfield which was converted by Newman to complete the scoring at 70-0.
A very satisfactory game of the home supporters who now only have one more chance to see the Blue and Whites play at High House this season. That is on April 9th when they meet local rivals Paignton. Away support is always very welcome and the way the team is playing at the moment is something they deserve.
