EXPECTATIONS were not high for Falmouth as they welcomed high flying Withycombe to the Recreation Ground on Saturday, writes Hugh Murton.
After 80 minutes were completed though, smiles could not be wiped off the faces of Eagles players, coaches or supporters as the side battled through the wet and windy conditions to pull off a great 18-3 win.
From the start it was evident Falmouth were determined to build on their 23-13 victory at Exeter Saracens the week previously and whenever the visitors had possession, tackles flew in.
Although the scrum appeared to be creaking under pressure during the match, Falmouth's excellent line-outs proved to be a source of much success for them.
They also showed great pace across the park which left Withycombe, who comfortably won the season's earlier encounter between the two 46-13, scrambling around.
With a stiff breeze blowing into them in the first half, Falmouth's tactics seemed to be based on keeping hold of the ball and being aggressive.
This style got them into the visitors' territory and from a line-out, a catch-and-drive move saw them barged over the line with tighthead prop Olly Church dotting down.
Falmouth stop another attack from Withycombe. Picture: SALLY JACOBS/CARTEL
Fly-half Justyn Irons missed the conversion, but soon made amends when he leaped onto a loose Withycombe pass to race 60 metres for a try which he added the extras to.
Withycombe started to show signs they really were the promotion chasing team who have impressed many this season and threw everything at Falmouth's defence for the rest of the half.
Despite their best efforts, the visitors could not open their scoring account for the day before the break as Falmouth's defence consistently hauled down any drives forwards.
In the second half, Falmouth's mantra appeared to be “hold on to what we got” and to also up the ferocity of their tackling game.
Number eight Simon Bailey stood out in particular, but it was a whole team effort to keep Withycombe at bay.
Constant pressure on the visitor's finally told with referee Damian Dix awarding a penalty to the hosts, which Irons slotted home to put his side three scores ahead.
To their credit, another wave of attacks was launched at this point by the away team and this eventually earned them a kickable penalty for their fly-half Glenn Channing to score.
Any suggestion of a fight back being mounted would not made though as Irons used the wind now blowing in favour of Falmouth to get the ball into the corners.
More line-outs allowed the home forwards to continue their dominance in the set piece and from this, another penalty was awarded to them.
Irons made no mistake from the kicking tee to send the Eagles into a 15 point advantage again.
By using the elements and tackling like demons, Falmouth easily ran the clock down to record what many consider to be their best win of the season.
A crunching tackle is inflicted on visiting left wing Andy Matchett. Picture: SALLY JACOB/CARTEL
FALMOUTH: 15 J Symons, 14 Biggins, 13 Spiller, 12 McIntyre, 11 Collett, 10 Irons (c), 9 Tyson; 1 Searle, 2 Carne, 3 Church, 4 Dobson, 5 Baglow, 6 David, 7 Williams, 8 Bailey.
REPS: Geach, Instance, Gilbert.
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