Honiton RFC were left wondering how they managed to concede defeat from a dominant position in a thrilling clash with Exeter Saracens.
Playing up the slope in the first half, the Ton started with tremendous positive intent, winning the first line-out and Johnny House forced the play with a monstrous 50-20 kick. Honiton won the next line-out and Rob Price forced his way over the line, Jake Smith adding the conversion.
Sarries battled back in resolute fashion, levelling the scores after some sloppy discipline from the Ton, but the see-saw opening continued with the hosts working through the phases for Will Goluden to supply a perfect pass and Josh Rice dotted down, Smith again adding the extras.
James Coutts Tucker added the next score for a 19-7 Honiton lead but an infringement from Pierre Lecointe saw him sent to the sin bin, along with the double punishment of a penalty try award to Sarries.
A pulsating first half concluded with Smith firing a penalty through the posts and Honiton led 22-14. The home side were still down to 14 men after the interval but had enough in the tank to score yet another try, Matt Bailey dotting down.
The Ton were left a little bemused when a missed knock-on allowed the visitors to reduce the arrears to 27-21 but the action was soon back up the other end, Louis Lane cutting through the Sarries before feeding Coutts Tucker for his second try.
A brilliant solo try from Smith extended the lead to 39-21 but the visitors rallied again with a converted score. An incredible match returned to the Ton attack, Ben Kidson scoring in the corner to make it 44-28.
Sadly, frustratingly, this is where the Ton ran out of steam and the Sarries found something extra. Two quick tries made it 44-42 and Honiton hearts were broken in the final minutes, when a penalty secured a single-point Sarries win.
The Colts provided some cheer for the club, as they produced a superb performance to overcome an excellent Withycombe side 31-17 in their first home game of the season. The match was sadly marred by a serious leg injury sustained by a Withycombe player and the very best wishes to him for a full recovery.
Pictures from Julian Hoyles
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