Final score: Devonport Services II 23-17 Withycombe

The game got off to the perfect start for Withy, as immediately from the kick off, the visitors set up camp in the Devonport 22'. With some good pressure and a couple of scrum penalties in the bag, the position was set and it was time for the drive as Joe Blyth picked up from the back and dotted down over the line.

Withy's try count was doubled just four minutes later when, after a well collected restart, the ball was sent back towards the host's danger zone and then sent infield to George Doughty who broke free from the defence to score. Harry Symons' conversion gave the Withies an early 0-12 lead.

Devonport picked up the pace after their sluggish start and thought they had scored in the corner, but the last-minute tackle was executed perfectly as the ball remained held up. The hosts, however, did manage to get themselves onto the scoreboard a few minutes later with a penalty kick.

The luck of the bounce was the secret to the next score in the game with the ball avoiding the hands of Withy's Sam Warren, instead finding the Devonport Winger who found some space to run in and swan-dive over the line.

A second try from the Plymouth side gave them the lead after 30 minutes but Withy struck back again with Tom Cooke's cross-field kick finding Ben West who sped down the left wing to score and regain the lead, bringing an end to an energetic first half. The score, 13-17 to Withy.

The second half continued in much the same way with both sides enjoying a good amount of time with the ball. Withy had a good opportunity to extend their lead with a good period of pressure in the opposing 22' but were just unable to cross the whitewash. A similar situation occurred at the other end of the field on the hour mark with the hosts piling on the pressure, eventually breaking the deadlock and scoring and regaining the lead at 18-17.

At this point, it was the impact from the bench that made the difference with the home side's attack being bolstered with the addition of first team players returning from injury.

Devonport extended their lead late in the game with a controversial score after a free ball behind the posts looked like it had been grounded by Withy, but with the home side then jumping on the ball the referee awarded the try. Thankfully the missed conversion attempt kept Withy in the game.

A final push deep inside the Devonport half looked promising, but unfortunately with the ball eventually going into touch the game was brought to an end and Withy come away with just the losing bonus point for what was a much-improved performance.

Next weekend it's derby day round two as we make the 1 mile away trip to the Imperial Recreation Ground to face Exmouth Quins.