Withycombe started on a frosty pitch this morning but soon warmed it up! They split into 2 teams as Sarries had over double the numbers so Withies played constantly with no subs for the whole game.

Both teams were kept on their toes with very physical games to start their day. Sarries were quick to tackle off the ruck Withies had to rethink their strategy but quickly adjusted to the game.

Players of the match went to Finn Wright for throwing himself into his first game and showing great enthusiasm for learning as he went; and to Alby Brown for constantly throwing himself into every tackle he could and pushing up in defence to pressure the other team.

Under 10s

No Report

Under 11s

No Report

Under 12s

U12s Defender Cup.

The Withy boys, parents and coaches made the trip down to Newton Abbot for a day of rugby in the Defender Cup hosted by the Exeter Chiefs.

Put into a group with Truro, Bideford and Plymouth the Withycombe players were feeling confident after a good run of wins since Christmas.

A strong Truro team were first up, and the Withycombe boys quickly realised that the day was going to be a tough one. Truro were stronger in the rucks and quicker in the breakdowns and were camped on the Withycombe line for most of the game. To their credit Withycombe defended like absolute trojans and did well to only concede 2 tries in the first game.

Battered, Bruised and a little bit emotional the Withycombe boys then entertained a rather large Bideford team. Like the first game Withycombe knew they would have to defend well and to their credit they held their own. Rucking better and defending well. However, in the end they fell a bit short and lost 3-0.

After a good chat from the coaches and a bit of team bonding it was into our final group game against Plymouth-based OPM. Withycombe players were determined to put the previous 2 games behind them, and they certainly did that. Stronger in all areas of the park they dominated the game from start to finish and ran out 5-0 winners.

Into the afternoon and the plate competition for Withycombe put them against Exeter Saracens.

Having played them a couple of weeks ago Withycombe knew to expect a tough encounter. A really good, tight game with both teams playing some top rugby. Withycombe though were in no mood to lose again and ran out winners by 4 - 1.

Onto their plate final game against a very well drilled Tavistock side. Another evenly matched game that really could have gone either way. Withycombe were getting stronger as the day went on and playing some good rugby and defending well. Tavistock were a tough team with strong runners however Withycombe just edged it 2-1.

Credit to the Withy boys who came back well after a tough start.

A fantastic day of rugby!

Under 13s

What’s in a score? Withycombe under 13s hosted Exeter Saracens at home on a sunny Spring morning at Bicton. Saracens had a full side with 5 subs and looked physically intimidating.

Undaunted, Withies started as they meant to finish. Powerful. Symbiotic. Inexorable. Charlie Eade, Jago Coates and Max Mills had the rub of the green, stampeding through the defensive lines and making the parents confused about the score tally. Tuesday’s training was really beginning to show with well contested rucks, brilliant ball carrying into contact and recycling, and lovely pop ups after a tackle. As a spectator (and a fan!) it was lovely to see the boys play with such fluidity and aplomb.
Every player today knew what they were doing and executed it mercilessly. Charlie Eade, like a young Finn Russell, kicked the ball down the line to pinpoint a winger. Jago the juggernaut gave a masterclass in hand offs. Max Mills, an exhibition in the NFL running back playbook.

But there was little of a silver lining for Saracens who scored 2 well deserved tries.
Man of the match went to Alfie Longbottom in the backs for taking a brutal spear tackle which surely deserved a red card from myopic referee Justyn Coates.

Louie Shand got man of the match for the forwards, not for his relentless enthusiasm, but for a lovely offload to Marley Hurst at the try-line. A snapshot of the team spirit that these young players are galvanising.

What’s in a score? Twenty.

Withycombe 20. Exeter Saracens 2

Under 14s

A grand and sunny morning at the Exhibition Fields, Exeter.
Exeter Saracens had much of the ball to start with and found continuity in their carrying and physical presence. A good passage of carries from them and it’s a score. 5-0

Again, Saracens dominated physically and able to run into a Withies defence that stuttered. Keeping the flow, they were able to score and kick the conversion. 12-0

Further pressure took its toll on the Withies’ defensive line with some thumping tackles, but Sarries were able to find support players equal to making ground. They score once again in the corner. 17-0

Withies scrums were solid and proved to be a good platform. The lineouts functioned well and with the ball going out to Charlie Vernon in the Sarries half he pumped it towards the midfield where he was able to reclaim and crash over under the sticks. 17-5. Charlie slots the conversion. 17-7

Half Time

Sarries did well again and some good hands and determined runs with ball in hand were able to power over in the corner. 22-7

More of the same from them from their ball runners and although Withies defence showed strength and unity, were able to evade tackles and confirm physicality in the break down. They score under the posts. 27-7

Withies regrouped under the posts and had the ability to charge down the kick.

Withycombe found some momentum with a run from Ted Neill to gain territory. The ball was recycled with a couple of intricate but simple passes, John Creese draws the last defender for Rudi Wilkinson to score a well worked try. 27-12.

Some incredible tackling in defence and Withycombe starting to find themselves in the game. Withycombe backs starting to flow and some pressure coming from a jink and jive by Rudi Wilkinson the ball went to Charlie Vernon who was held up under the posts
A restart kick went directly to Harry Moore. Quick thinking and a nice pass to Jacob Thompson and then finally Ted Neill barged over to score. 27-17

Withies had some more passages of play and were fronting up very well with good hands and ability to offload… Strong defence forced the knock on and a scrum. The ball managed to come back on the withies side, but a bouncing ball was picked up by Charlie Vernon who found space and a turn of pace to create something from nothing. He manages to run all the way and score. 27-22

Charlie thumps a well-directed kick and converts his own try to make it. 27-24

Withies found space and some chances came but it was not enough as the final whistle was blown

Full Time 27-24

An incredible effort by the team to be able to front up physically and use the ball to create space. Special mention to Charlie Vernon who kicked well and scored two, but player of the day went to Ted Neill who was outstanding in every department. Strong breaks, pace and fearless tackling that managed to keep the team competing.

Much to learn from the game as we go to Weston Super Mare next week on tour.

Under 15s

Withycombe Under-15s returned to action at Raleigh Park against a strong Exeter Saracens side, eager to shake off the “not beaten for 3 years” tag. A bare-bones squad seemed fired up to put right the result from Bicton earlier in the season.

Saracens made a fast start, capitalising on their early dominance to put Withycombe under immediate pressure. Withies managed to work their way back into the game and made good territorial gains. Some mistakes - and missed tackles in the midfield - gave Sarries a chance to capitalise and they did so to go in under the posts and duly converted.

As the match progressed, Withycombe gradually grew into the contest. Territory and possession went Withy way gradually before getting onto the try line and Sarries conceding a penalty try. 7-7 the score.

Withy continued to apply the pressure, and the forward pack dominated upfront. Continual pressure at the breakdown gave rise to mistakes from Sarries and Withy turned the ball over. BB a constant menace along with Henry L and Sam Wood - Sarries coughing up the ball and Alfie making some punching drives. Eventually he crossed the line - just desserts for some good Withy pressure. No conversion made it 12-12.

Halftime saw the boys reset and go again. Great mentality again saw them start strong - again the forwards dominated (although we did get pushed off the scrum which is unusual!). Great hands from the back and line speed got the team back into Sarries half. A few cards were shows for repeated high tackles and other infringements. This gave Withy further momentum and skipper Ollie C ploughed over to put a gap between the teams.

Withy didn’t relent (as they may had done in the past) and press home the advantage - fatigue and cards taking their toll on Sarries. Ollie Cowling once again putting the game to bed with a superb break set up by some precision offloading…great try (and conversion)! 24-12 the score!

Withy saw out the game comfortably from there.

Final score: Withycombe 24 – 12 Exeter Saracens
PENALTY TRY, Ollie cowling (2), Alfie Gray (1)
Con: Ben Campbell (2)

Our defensive award goes for a great performance to Michael McLaughlin, great job and unlucky not to score himself following a strong run.

Man of the Match was the skipper himself - Ollie Cowling.

Brilliant performance from everyone. Well done lads!!

Under 16s

At long last, after weeks of miserable weather, the rugby gods finally blessed us with perfect playing conditions. The sun was shining, the pitch was firm underfoot, and Exeter Saracens welcomed Withycombe for a friendly match — albeit with a twist. With injuries affecting both squads, the teams agreed to a 13-a-side showdown.

From the first whistle, Withycombe set the tempo, putting Saracens under relentless pressure. Slick handling, powerful running, and rock-solid defence meant Withy were in complete control, barely putting a foot wrong. The scoreboard quickly reflected their dominance, and by halftime, they had stormed into a commanding 0-35 lead.

Saracens came out for the second half hoping to shift the momentum — but the ball became something of a mirage for them. Their only real touch came when they trudged back to halfway for yet another restart after Withycombe had dotted down again. As the tries kept coming, the referee called both coaches together with 25 minutes still left to play. With Withycombe now 0-47 ahead, a decision was made to see out just 10 more minutes.

In a moment of what can only be described as player mercy, Withycombe “accidentally” knocking on a certain try over the line—perhaps a discreet way of sparing Saracens from further misery!

The final whistle brought an end to a one-sided but spirited encounter, with Withycombe running out 0-47 winners.

Man of the Match Laurence Bainbridge put in a storming shift with some thunderous carries and dominant rucking, while the try-scorers included Jake Gibbs-Clark, Ethan Smith (x2), Nathan Briggs, Jerry Keys, Harry Tooby (x2), and Marcus Robinson.

A tough afternoon for Saracens, but credit to both teams for keeping the game going despite their injury struggles. As for Withycombe, they’ll be heading over to Paignton for their next fixture full of confidence after this statement performance!