Falmouth capitalise on yellow card to earn bonus-point victory

Falmouth recorded another bonus point victory to keep them top of the Cornwall/Devon League going into the new year, in a match that saw them pushed hard by a determined Honiton team until a decisive yellow card allowed the Eagles to stretch clear in the final half hour.

A minute's silence was observed before the match in memorial to past president Nick Barrington. Honiton began the brighter, stealing an edge in the scrums and closing down Falmouth's ball carriers with a strong defence. The Eagles under pressure, made mistakes as they looked to force passes.

Despite their defence and commitment, Honiton's attacks couldn't break through the Eagles, Matt Brewer doing a fine job on the flank, disrupting and slowing the visitors. Falmouth eventually took the lead through Tom Job, running in following a Tom Edmonds break, Justyn Irons converting.

A lack of discipline around the tackle area saw Falmouth concede penalties, lose territory and keep Honiton in the match. The visitors have one of the most reliable kickers in the league in Olly cave and he slotted four kicks in the first half to keep the Devon side in the hunt.

Falmouth, far from their usual fluent home form, managed to keep their noses ahead, with an Irons penalty and an unconverted try following a cute chip and gather from Edmonds, to lead 15 to 12 at half time.

Honiton number 8, Josh Rice troubled the hosts with some barracking runs as the opening minutes of the second period were again even.

After 50 minutes the crucial moment of the march arrived, as Edmonds was levelled by visitors' centre Coutts with a dangerous high tackle, receiving a yellow card, Irons kicking the penalty.

The Eagles raised the tempo of the match to take full advantage of the card, as players began to break through the defence and find support, Irons scoring out wide after Tom Spiller and Steve Instance had forced gaps.

The bonus try came from a Ben Ackner attack, finding Alex Bullock and onto Edmonds for his second, Irons converting. This try seemed to break Honiton's spirit and Falmouth added to their points advantage with a Dan Hubble score following another Ackner break.

Falmouth were seeking to attack from all over the park as the game opened up with space across the field and Honiton wing Phil Bennett, ran through a couple of poor tackles for a consolation score.

The Eagles responded with the try of the match, Nick Carne completing the scoring following up a sparkling Spiller break and collecting a neat backhand offloaded pass.

A large crowd is expected for the next fixture, as the Eagles next face Penryn in what promises to be a hotly contested Boxing Day clash at the Recreation ground, kick off 2.30pm.

Falmouth: Searle, Bullock, Cock, Instance, Baglow, Hambly, Brewer, Simmons, Spiller, Irons, Firth, Ackner, Job, Hubble, Edmonds. Reps: Carne, Varker, Dawe.