Honiton RFC become National Champions after tense Twickenham cup final

History was made at the weekend, when Honiton twice came from behind to defeat a very strong Yorkshire outfit in Northallerton by 29-27, all done at the home of rugby.

It was an early start for the Honiton massive and it was a sight to behold as eight bus loads of Ton supporters set off for Twickenham.

It has to be said that one of the key factors in the success of the Honiton side this year has been the loyal support they have had when on the road, and once again the Ton Army outnumbered the Yorkshire supporters by 4-1.

I will be bold and say there were at least 600 supporters who came up to watch. For those that did though it was a very nerve racking experience and not for the faint hearted.

There had been massive hype all week, the local news and radio all embraced the achievement and what a complement to have Radio Devon doing their live show from the ground.

To the game… It was a cold and slightly cloudy Twickenham and Honiton were probably at a loss not having to consider playing with or against a slope.

None the less the game started with some fairly even exchanges but it was Northallerton who opened up the scoring after a set of good drives, they got on the board when a high tackle saw their kicker slot a penalty on the 15 minute mark.

As is often said in reports this season, Honiton do build a lot of their victories around their defensive line and we really had to dig deep to hold back the waves of Northallerton attacks.

Unfortunately the wall did eventually crumble but it wasn't until the 31st minute. Once again it was their big forwards that did the damage and they forced a way through to the try line and this score was converted and Honiton were in trouble with a 10-0 deficit to somehow claw back.

On reflection this is when Honiton showed their true character to overcome the adversity and make good inroads, they went close several times and when the home side had a player sin-binned for slowing up the break down Honiton grabbed the opportunity.

Fittingly it was their stoic skipper Will Goulden who forced the ball over the line with a minute on the clock to go.

Tom Steer knocked over the conversion and Honiton were back in it but more was to come.

As with several games this season, rather than run down the clock and get off the field to regroup, the Ton attacked, they drove the ball back hard and with a quick recycle and sharp hand for his fellow backs, the ball reached the hands of star finisher Adam Thompson.

Thompson skinned the defence in what was, frankly a brilliant solo try. Tom Steer missed the conversion but the Ton took a 12-10 lead after a torrid first half.

After the break Honiton had their best passage of play and went close on several occasions and also had a couple of penalties attempts that just went wide.

This sustained pressure saw Honiton score again after a few good phases of play it was fly-half Alex Brooks who, when held up managed to turn and with an outstretched arm, just made the line.

Steer added the extras and Honiton were now two scores clear and things were looking rosy for the very vocal supporters.

However it was a final and it was now the turn of the Yorkshire men to dig deep and to be fair they rallied really well and came back strongly and when fielding kicks, they bought the ball back with interest so they were next on the score sheet with a well taken converted try which only served to ratchet up the tension.

The momentum was now back to Northallerton and at 19-17 it was clear the last twenty minutes would be tough. They delivered another blow with a well struck penalty and they were now a point ahead in the struggle.

As the clock was running down there was then another disaster for Honiton and a weaving run and missed tackles saw another try dotted down by Northallerton and with the conversion going over Honiton looked to be dead and buried at 27-19, with just nine minutes left the reality was Honiton had to somehow score twice.

For supporters there was perhaps a realisation that it wasn't meant to be but the noise just increased and we forget this Ton side are made of stern stuff nowadays and they battled back and having made inroads, they sensibly took the penalty they were awarded.

Steer slotted it to give the Ton a lifeline as the score was now 27-22 with just five minutes left.

Pressure, tension and dogged determination saw Honiton work up field again and having battered the Northallerton line a released ball was swung right and there was no stopping Steer who crashed over for the try.

He then had to compose himself, as the scores were now level and the conversion was vital. Despite the pressure, he delivered and the Ton army went wild!

Unfortunately there was still one minute and twenty seconds on the clock, it was so tense.

Honiton gave away a penalty from the return kick off which Allerton kicked to the twenty two, hearts were in mouths, the arrows were missed from the line out, Cooke gathered and passed to Brooks who hoofed the ball high into the stand and the whistle went and Honiton had won what was an incredible game.

We must give a huge amount of credit to Northallerton for their endeavours and they are undoubtedly a very good side and showed some terrific spirit of their own.

You have to feel for them as this is the second time they have left Twickenham on the losing side.

Their officials were great company all afternoon and were very magnanimous in defeat and you could genuinely feet the hurt for their players, many of whom were in tears when receiving their medals and from The Ton there will always be the utmost respect for this formidable team.

For Honiton there was also lots of tears but for them it was of joy, relief and the reality of what they had achieved.

It probably won't sink in for a long time but as time goes by it will eventually and I'm sure that the game will be talked about long after they hang up their boots, I can hear them as Grandads still reminding everyone about the time they won at Twickenham.

This season has been an unbelievable journey for the club. Promoted, Devon Champions and now National Champions.

You can but say "hats off to the whole of the squad" rugby is a sport that is massively inclusive and the Tons team/squad ethic has shone through all year.

Massive thanks must go to the travelling supporters and it was great to see so many ex-players mixed up in the emotion of the day. It is a very proud moment for a very small town in rural Devon!

Written by HRFC chairman Jeremy Rice. Image courtesy of Thomas Westcott.