A strong start to the league campaign isn't always measured in winning games – this is the case with Withy this year as the boys have so far done well to adjust to life in the higher league of Cornwall/Devon. The positive thoughts were flowing ahead of the predictably difficult match away in mid Devon.

With the early exchanges going Cullompton's way, the boys were taken aback by a strong start out of the blocks from the hosts as a second minute scrum saw the ball cleared to mid-pitch to allow Cully in under the posts.

A second try came Cullompton's way shortly after when fly half Harvey Sanders skipped through the Withy tackles to score under the posts again, making the score 14-0 after just five minutes.

With the high ball and Cully's kicking game dominating the action, a lot of pressure was being put on the Withy backs. Unfortunately, the strong wind was causing problems and the handling errors began to build.

Withies were a little unlucky when it came to the host's third try as a cross kick by Cullompton led to a foot race down the right wing. With both sides seeming to touch down together, the decision went in the favour of Cully to give them the score in the corner. The points were topped up further a little later with a penalty in front of the posts to give Cullompton a 22-0 lead after 25min.

After the penalty, the Withies began to build a bit of pressure, forcing errors and winning several penalties in a row. With the number of consecutive penalties against them, Cully lost lock Adam Jarrett to the bin just before the half time break.

The second half began much the way of the first one with Cullompton striking early in with a bonus point try as a quickly taken free kick allowed the scrum half between the posts for another 7pt score. Withy continued to put on the pressure where they could, but the strong home defensive line smothered any attempt to attack. However, the boys managed to work the ball well deep into the Cully 22. With the much needed try potentially just one pass away, the ball is intercepted, allowing for a break once again by Cullompton to run clear to score to bring the score to 41-0.

Despite the score line, the boys in green and black continued to put pressure onto the Cully defence, but whatever they tried, just couldn't come off. It was that old saying of "If it could go wrong, it would", which continued to frustrate our lads.

Withy pressure was finally rewarded on the hour when some continued pressure and a series of penalty advantages gave the boys the confidence to take the ball for a run. A quick tap penalty was passed to Joe Blyth who managed to power to the line and with an outstretched hand, dot the ball on the line to score. Will Cooper's conversion was struck nicely to give the boys a consolatory 7pts.

The final quarter saw Withy continue to throw everything at Cullompton, keeping the home side in their own half for the majority of the final 20min, however it was the number of errors, both forced and unforced that would tell the story of the game as, although the ball remained in the 'right side of the field' the Withy boys were just unable to convert any pressure to points. The final blow came on 75min when another intercepted pass was taken by the hosts for another 7 points to bring the final score to 48-7.

A tough day today, but the boys continued to push throughout and never gave up. On a different day, some of those passes would have come off and the game would've been different. It's important now to reflect on this and work on what went wrong to bring a refreshed performance and one more of the previous two matches as the Withies welcome Saltash to Raleigh Park next Saturday. Kick off 2:30pm.