A good performance in the face of adversity - but not enough to beat Bideford

Honiton travelled to third-placed Bideford on the back of two defeats.

Injuries, which have plagued Honiton this season, were evident with yet again several changes to the starting line-up.

With heavy rain during the week and Honiton's second team game already cancelled at the same venue, expectations were that it would be very wet.

However, on arrival the pitch was in good condition and questions as to why the seconds game was called off had to be asked.

It was clear in the warm-up that Bideford would be a hand full boasting some rather large units.

In front of a large crowd Honiton kicked off deep but Bideford were able to cleared to touch, Honiton won the line out but a knock on in midfield gave Bideford a scrum and unfortunately their home pack demolished Honiton's pack and the home side were awarded a penalty.

They kicked to touch and won the line out just shy of the Honiton twenty two, a couple of phases later the home side got their first try of the game through their left winger.

The try was converted and the home side held a 7-0 lead after just five minutes.

Another penalty from Honiton at another difficult scrum Bideford gained a line out back in Honiton's twenty two, they got the ball over the try line but the ball was held up, two scrums later their dominant pack got a push over try on the right, the conversion attempt hit the post but it was now 12-0 after just 10 minutes and things look ominous.

Honiton made a break in to the Bideford twenty two, Bideford conceded a penalty but after winning the resultant line out the ball spilled again, this was further compounded when they conceded another penalty.

Some good defence kept Bideford at bay but a crooked line out throw saw a another unwanted scrum and under pressure again another penalty was conceded.

From the line out several pick and goes saw another try for Bideford through their dominant pack. The conversion went wide and after 20 minutes the scoreboard read 17-0.

With another scrum won and driven forward by Bideford they got near to scoring by the posts but were held up just short by some dogged Honiton defence.

Unfortunately for Honiton the ball was then shipped wide left for another try, again the conversion was missed but it was now 22-0 after 30 minutes.

Bideford continued to dominate possession and territory and from a great offload their number eight scored under the posts.

The try was converted and it was now 29-0 just shy of the end of the first half. Honiton were unable to prevent another try for a 36-0 lead at half time and Honiton were out on their feet.

The second half got underway and for those watch the onslaught was expected to continue.

Honiton received the kick off, they struggled to get out of their half but defence stood strong and a kick through by Sam Olive saw Honiton has scrum on the Bideford line but again they lost the scrum however they got the ball back from a Jake Smith interception and made good ground.

Honiton didn't let their heads drop and then started to get some much need time on the ball in the Bideford half. Jake Smith saw a penalty kick drift just wide after twenty minutes of the second half.

Then having won the ball back and making some good yards with the possession it was Skipper Louis Groves who got the Ton on the scoreboard when the forced himself over near the uprights, Smith converted and the away supporters gave a resounding cheer, 36-7.

There was a bit of stale mate then but Honiton were very much back in the game however Bideford were back on the score sheet with their first try of the second half.

This was converted and with ten minutes left the score was 43-7 to the home team.

Pleasing for the away supporters Honiton's energy levels didn't drop and they enjoyed more possession in the Bideford twenty two, they won a penalty and kicked for the corner.

The line out was secured, and a few minutes lpick and goes it was Finn Parratt who barged over to get Honiton's second try, it was converted by Jake Smith for a finishing score line of 43-14.

Unfortunately, when all said and done Honiton were very much out played for big chunks of the first half and were undone by a strong unit and with no possession from scrums it was a tough afternoon all round.

Some comfort could be gained from them winning the second half by two tries to one but they will have to be better than this if they are to compete at this level.

There were some good performance in the face of adversity and they can take heart from that and if they can take games to the opposition as they did in the second period then there is hope.

Honiton's supporters man of the match went to veteran Nick Guilbert who worked hard through out.

Next up in a home encounter against neighbours Chard - this is the last of the 3pm kick offs.