A review of the season that saw HRFC achieve their wildest dreams

'Woz on' has been high jacked this week by a review of the season - all a bit factual I'm afraid. I'll get back to doing a proper 'woz on' next week as there is a lot of info to impart before the AGM. I'm off 'cross county croqueting' tomorrow so hence the early circulation - Pidge only told us we were going to Jersey last week! I struggle with boats, but hey ho!

Review of Honiton's 2018-19 season:

Honiton's pre-season started early and looked to be going very well and with a couple of new signings on board and a new backs coach in Alex Brooks joining Nathan Hannay and Brendon Findlay in the coaching ranks.

There was clear evidence that Honiton's previous seasons 3rd place finish was hopefully a foundation block for bigger things in the 135th year.

There was a players meeting early doors and as a collective and under the captaincy of Will Goulden, the team set out their goals which was to get promoted and do well in the National cup. Actually, the fairly demanding aim was to get all the way to Twickenham.

Then on top of this, the third objective was to win the newly structured Devon cup. All very ambitious and just a wish list, if it wasn't to be backed up with a lot of hard work and commitment by what was, in reality, a small squad of players.

The opening game of the season was to play Sidmouth for the Dave Turner cup. There is fierce rivalry for this cup and the local opposition, Sidmouth, actually play their rugby trade in the division above Honiton and as such, they have over the years won the lion's share of the contests.

As usual it was a close game but for the first time in 16 years the silverware went to the Ton and although they only won by a single point, Honiton looked the better side on the day and were well worth the win. It was also interesting to note, that Sidmouth went on to have an amazing season themselves and got promoted having only lost a couple of games all season.

So, this win was big and set out the stall for what Honiton were trying to do and it's always nice to start the season with some early silverware, especial against local rivals.

Exeter Sarries were brushed aside in the final trial match by lots to not very many and so the season started properly, with what was on paper, a tricky away trip to Topsham. It was anything but tricky and frankly the Ton looked scintillating as they scored several great tries which was orchestrated by Alex Brooks playing at 10.

The final score was 3-59 and was a bit of a one-sided game with Ton players queuing up to score especially in the second half.

The first home game saw a large crowd at Allhallows and this was to be a feature as the season progressed - big crowds at Allhallows unheard of!

The visitors, Torquay Athletic are 'fallen giants' of the Devon game and they had publicly said in the press they were going to make a swift return to the division above, having just been relegated.

Unfortunately for them that day Honiton came out all guns blazing and in a first half display of pure quality, Honiton frankly blew them away. This first 40 minutes was to be a bit of a feature in games as the season progressed and Honiton tended to do the damage to oppositions early on and they often struggled to recover form that. The Tics went home licking their wounds, losing by 34-12.

There was then a gap week when they should have gone to Lanner but that game was postponed and so back at home again, and a week later, they entertained Hayle and yet again it was one way traffic as Honiton put them to the sword in another 62-0 thrashing.

On the road again, this time it was another local derby, away to Withycombe and with tails up and the small matter of gaining a bit of revenge having lost to them in the final of the Devon cup in the previous season, Honiton arrived in confident mood.

This game was supposed to be tough one, however it was anything but and a large travelling band of supporters witnessed a simply stunning display of rugby as Honiton ran in try after try to amass a total of 92 points without conceding any against.

So, September finished with no losses and a massive 335 point haul with just 57against.

October was a different matter and an away trip to Bude with a much-changed side through unavailability's and key injuries, the Ton came up against an 'old fashioned' rugby side who were big and they used their power game to keep the ball away from the Honiton backs.

The final score was a hugely disappoint 38-24 and perhaps over confidence was on show and everyone not playing well as a collective, was the reason for the defeat and they were sent packing with tails between their legs.

Worse was to come with another trip away to Lanner and again Honiton narrowly lost by 20-19. It was a game they should have won but not one to dwell on a 'blame' game or to have sour grapes about a defeat. However, we must mention there was, in many people's minds, a very 'one-eyed' ref officiating, and he kept the home side in the game with some very odd decisions.

So, the big question was had the wheels come off and were Honiton out of the running for promotion and were the usual signs of failing to perform at away games coming home to roost?

Lots of soul searching at training and the next home game at the Ton was a test. Pride was instantly restored as Honiton swept Liskeard aside in a 65-14 win and to be fair it was a great 'bounce back' performance against a useful outfit.

Next up was another tough Cornish away trip to Penryn who were now second in the league. This was a close game between two good sides and Honiton were just edged out and bar a try line fumble in the dying seconds, the result could easily have been different but none-the-less this was their third defeat in Cornwall and Honiton slip to fourth in the table and the promotion objective was already looking a dodgy asks at this stage.

November came as the weather started to get worse, but it was a good month for the Ton. They dispatched Penzance at home with a cricket score of 75-10. Plymouth Arguam were similarly dismantled away by 10-53 and then there was the small matter of a visit by the then league leaders Albion Oaks to Allhallows.

Their coach's comments in his pre-match analysis was to act as the team talk for the day as he said "Honiton had good set of forwards, which we can match but they are a bit weak in the backs".

They were beaten in fine style as they were blown away at the fortress. It was an impressive 48-12 score line with most of the tries scored by the backs, who'd obviously had a point to make. So, November passed with the Ton unbeaten in all the games.

A similarly impressive 12-44 win against a tough South Moulton side away, was one of the best controlled games Honiton were to play all season and it showed the early season 'on the road' frailties were being banished from the mind-set.

A win against a plucky Tavistock side at home by 30-12 saw the conclusion of the first half of fixtures and Honiton were now in third spot.

Next up was arguably one of the season's defining moments and with a week to go before the Christmas break, the intended Torquay fixture got cancelled because of a water-logged pitch. To be fair it was under water, but with Honiton taking a full-strength side down to play the game, they were rather annoyed to have been made to travel and they were somewhat dismayed when the league officials said it had to be replayed the following week, a day before Christmas eve, when several Honiton players were unavailable.

None-the-less, the Ton dug deep in to their reserves and with a makeshift club side and a monumental effort from all on show and a bit of luck and a brilliant dummy and try by Jonny House, Honiton somehow managed to win and this victory showed real resilience when up against it and as with the previous month.

It meant that December was another unbeaten month and they were tucked in behind Penryn and Bude who also kept winning.

So, to the new year and amazingly all still to play for.

January started with Honiton getting a walk-over win against Lanner which whilst great to get the points without doing anything, the Ton missed the chance to right the injustices of the first encounter. The opposition couldn't raise a front row apparently.

Honiton dispatched Hayle away with some ease and a stronger Withycombe side were again beaten with ease at home and in atrocious conditions. Honiton got revenge for the Bude away defeat, with an impressive 30–0 home win and yet again it was another month of unbeaten rugby at Tonsville and they were now looking like a very strong/together outfit.

February saw the start of the big cup competition and for the Ton it was the small matter of a trip back down to Penryn where they narrowly lost in the league. This time though, they took a bus load of supporters and outnumbered the home entourage.

It was a tough, cagey game with no quarter given on either side. Penryn looked to have edged it again and with the score at 14-15 with no time left on the clock and with a line out on Honiton's try line they were, to all watching, 'dead and buried' - but what a try!

The lineout was won and the ball was swung wide from behind their own try line and somehow they raced up field and scored a spectacular team try at the other end of the park scraping in by 15 points to 19. This booked them a place in the next round and they were the Devon and Cornwall champions.

Back down to earth, it was back to league action with a trip to Looe and Liskeard and I'm afraid it was a classic 'after the Lord mayor's show' situation and by the skin of their teeth a final play, try and conversion by Ollie Cave saved the day. Honiton were below par for sure, but this lucky win kept their promotion prospects on track and it was just a bad day at the office.

Penryn were next up and they came up to Honiton for the return league match obviously smarting from being pipped at the post in the cup game and revenge was clearly on their mind. They got it and they became the first side to win at Honiton all season and this meant Honiton's 12 game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end.

It was a good game and both sides gave it their all. For the neutral observer, the Cornish side had edged it and meant they were now the nailed on favourites for the top spot to go up. It now meant the Ton were now right back in the scrap for the second automatic promotion place.

The Ton had to regroup quickly from this defeat as it was their second-round match in the National cup and a visit of unknown Burnham-on sea from Somerset. It was a glorious early spring day and in front of Honiton's largest crowd of the season, the Ton scored early and never really looked like losing from then on and with a 35-12 score line they were crowned South West Counties champions and it meant they had also booked a quarter final place in the competition.

March came and it was down to Penzance, another potential banana skin league outing and with Honiton having to fill a couple of key injury slots and the Pirates putting a few good results together, it was tough.

The Cornishmen were very much in it until the last quarter when Honiton powered away to win 17-39.

Arguam came up to the Ton the week after and were frankly just thrashed by 80-3 in a one-way traffic game, which was stopped 10 minutes early.

Honiton were now building momentum and this cup thing was starting to gather pace with a lot of Town interest as well.

Honiton, with no luck, had an unfavourable away draw and had to travel all the way up to just outside London to play Chesham. This time the opposition were a side who were unbeaten and had already secured promotion from their league.

Yet again Honiton took a band of supporters and once again, it was just like a home game with all the noise and cheering. It was tricky conditions with an almost gale force cold wind blowing across the pitch the Ton started well with early scores on the doors. The home side came back strongly but despite this counter attack, Honiton held their nerve and with a great kicking display by Tom Steer, Honiton won the day 12-24 and they now had the Western Counties shield in their locker.

More importantly, and perhaps a little scarily, they were in the semi-final, for which the winners would be playing at Twickenham no less - could this actually be happening?

Honiton were by now very much a battle-hardened side as any free league weeks were taken up by cup games, whereas opponents had rest weekend. This was the case as they visited Plymouth base Albion Oak, who were still fourth in the league. Honiton started badly for once and were shell-shocked to get to half time 20-3 down and they were clearly on the ropes.

A stern talking to from Hannay at half time saw the team pull their finger out and they scored 4 unanswered tries and somehow turned the game around, winning by 20-35 which was much to the relief of the travelling fans.

The last game in March was against a tough South Moulton side and it was a measure of their improvement and unity as they produced a perfect performance to knock the visitors over and again, there were some great scores in this convincing 51-13 win.

April came with the prospect of three trophies or maybe nothing and certainly it was a time for Goulden's men to focus and the Hannay Brooks role was to ensure they stayed on script.

A trip up on to Dartmoor to play Tavistock is never easy, but with a steely focus the game was done and dusted by half time and they also 'nilled' the opposition whilst scoring 46 points. After the whistle went, news came through that Bude had lost and this meant with one league game left, the Ton could not be caught so this meant objective one of getting promotion was completed.

The semi-final in the National final was now the big focus for sure and on a very sunny dry afternoon, a large home crowd watch Honiton beat Topsham in the final league game by a comfortable 67-26 score line. it resembled a game of 7's, if honest.

This result meant Honiton had gone through the whole season undefeated by any Devon side and as such, it meant under the new rules, they had booked a home final for the Devon cup.

And so, to the biggest game in Honiton's history - a semi-final game in the National cup against the city of Portsmouth. Again, no luck here. The draw was unfavourable, so it was another long trip away. However, such was the confident mood in the camp it mattered little and as everything thus far had been done the hard way, so why should this game be any different and it was a case of 'bring it on'.

This time with the momentum really growing, The Ton army came in three bus loads and with many others also in cars and on trains you'd have said Honiton was the home side and the Portsmouth President looked visibly shocked by the sheer volume of away supporters.

Boy did it help - it was a humdinger of a game. The opposition were enormous it was boiling hot and frankly very nerve racking to say the least and with the stakes so high and the winner's prize a trip to the holy grail of rugby, it was not for the fait hearted at all.

Well what a win, 20-30 was the final score and the Ton players out on their feet at the end. What wild celebrations afterwards. Little old Honiton from Devon, Southern champions and in the final at Twickenham - unheard of. What an achievement!

No time to rest and two games to go. Next up was the small matter of the Devon cup final against Albion Oaks at Allhallows ordinarily the highlight of any club's season under normal circumstances.

You'd be forgiven for thinking the coaching staff would rest players, but not a bit of it they wanted it all! Again, a huge crowd witnessed the Ton dismantle the opposition and it was all done and dusted by half time. Rather disappointingly, Oaks put up the white flag with 10 minutes to go and with a 48-12 score line, Honiton were now crowned Devon champions and objective two was also in the bag - heady days for a small club.

So, to the final game of the season and having been around for 135 years, the small town of Honiton had somehow produced a squad that had got the club to the Senior Vase final, which as you know was to be played at Twickenham.

Northern champions, North Allerton v Southern Champions, Honiton.

As soon as the club knew they were going to 'Twickers' it was all hands to the pump and there was an army of people organising and fundraising and huge thanks must go to all of them and to the generosity of some of the business and ordinary supporters who dug deep to help finance the trip and who also took the time to come along to watch.

What a day! Eight bus loads of people went up, cars, trains and even planes were used to get well over 600 people to the event. It was frankly just emotional seeing the Ton jersey run on to the pitch and not in most people's wildest dreams would they have imagined this happening. So, you can imagine the scenes of pure joy afterwards when Honiton only went and won!

The day and the game had it all - pomp, glamour and a great game of rugby to watch. Honiton went behind, then got back in front, then behind again and with seven minutes left on the clock and eight point adrift it was all over.

Or was it? What drama and with virtually the last kick of the game Tom Steer kicked the winning goal. Tomo's first half try on Youtube has been watch over 25,000 times and the whole match was televised and was watched by many more back in Devon.

Commiseration obviously went to North Allerton as the game could genuinely have gone either way, but as 29-27 winners it was Honiton's day and Honiton's season. It was a tremendous achievement for the coaching staff, the skipper, all the squad and all who play at the Ton.

It was just rewards for all the effort everyone put in to what was an amazing 'Boys own' adventure.

We could go through all the individuals who played throughout the season, mentioning some of the try saving tackles, the wonderful off loads, the tries scored, but reality is, rugby is the ultimate team game so there is no point.

We will finish this review with a set of very impressive stats.

Played 35 Won 31 Lost 4 Points For 1273 Agin 389 (+884)

#UTT and to all involved, in whatever capacity, you did the club and town proud!

Written by Jeremy Rice - HRFC Secretary.