22/03/2026
Historically, the Saracens were the foe of many an English crusade β and today they were ours. βJesus Christβ, arguably the original motivation for this foray into exotic lands, was certainly hailed by many of the parents and spectators during this match.
Withycombe faced a re-energised Exeter Saracens away at the exotic Exeter Arena for the Plate semi-finals. Both teams were already winners to have made it this far, and the sun was shining beatifically on the grassy plains of Exeter Arena.
After a Saracen's kick off and a Ben O kick for territory, an early penalty saw Eade able to secure a line out on the 5 yard line. On his debut and from a simple ruck, Frankie, playing at number 8, powered straight through to score under the posts making it 7-0 after a conversion by Eade.
Play recommenced with Saracens down but not out, with a charge down on the clearing kick. Despite winning back the ball with a scrum from some excellent defence creating a knock on, Saracens turned the scrum over and scored on the left wing bringing the scores level after an excellent conversion 7-7.
The pace of the game was already relentless, and after only another 3 minutes and a Withycombe scrum, Charlie Eade found his composure at 10, scanning the space, dummying and unlocking the gain-line to score under the posts bringing the tally to 14-7 after a successful conversion from Mills.
Withycombe turned on the pressure with Jonny producing a trademark low centre of gravity run to the 22 and Louie delivering a lovely offload to Frankie who broke free from the halfway line, bringing the score to 21-7 after a conversion by Eade.
The remainder of the half saw Saracens really fight back, making the most of their penalties with territory gain kicks and a maul with a breakout down the right wing that was just stopped with some excellent rucking pressure. Play was paused briefly for a change of boots, literally worn out by the ferocity of play. A won scrum and a pass out to Charlie Eade saw him scythe through the back line like a scimitar to bring the score to 26-7 after a missed conversion. Saracens did not concede however, and after a penalty for a high tackle, scored on the same left wing to bring the score to 26-12 at half time.
The second half brought in a change of players and with only two tries in it, the question was - would Withycombe have the faith to see themselves over the line? After a shaky start from kick off not reaching 10 yards and despite winning back the ball and trying an attacking kick to the wing, this was intercepted with a morale boosting poached ball by the Saracen's winger who brought the score to a tantalising 26-19 after another conversion. Saracens, with a reputation for comebacks having taken out Crediton in a similar manner to reach the semis, were really finding their stride. The momentum had swung like a well cleaved blade, and despite some excellent defence from Withycombe, too many penalties at the ruck saw Saracens with a line out on the 5 yard line and then allowed them to draw level 26-26 after another great conversion.
In disbelief, Withycombe fought back, but the nerves were starting to show as simple ball skills, logical decisions and nervous hands saw Saracens back in possession and breaking forwards from their 22. A forward pass, and a won scrum saw some lovely forward linking play feed the ball to Jonny Ewart, who relieved the pressure at a vital part of the game bringing the score to 31-26 under the posts. With the game so close, a missed conversion under the posts seemed a cruel reward and provided little relief from the pressure. Saracens felt this, kept the ball running again and again into contact - and after several phases - managed to level the game at 31-31 with only 5 minutes left. A conversion would see them in the lead for the first time in the match and perhaps enough to send Withycombe packing, but as Lee Morgan says, "sport is an amazing thing, and at no point in their short lives will they come across the scenario of cruising only to find themselves on the verge of losing." The verge had arrived, and Withycombe found themselves facing a sober debrief in the after-match coach talk.
Saracens missed their first conversion of the day.
The score was level with only 2 minutes of time on the clock - possibly seeing the boys having to play extra time despite being physically on their knees.
Sometimes, just sometimes, there is a narrative that defies the harsh realities of life. In the last dying minutes of the game, players on both sides exhausted, Withycombe managed to pod and play it, phase by phase until a breakout by Fin and pass from Billy saw Max Mills end the game 38-31 after an excellent conversion from the far side of the pitch by Charlie Eade.
Post match reaction from the young referee was illuminating. " I've got to be honest, that was end to end and I was blowing. That was the best game of rugby at this age group I've reffed. Usually, the second half gets messy, and I find myself blowing the whistle alot, but there was proper good high standard stuff here and the teams should both be proud of their performances."
The after-match coach talk, philosophically explored the interesting effect of pressure, and the paradoxical reality that the only way to deal with it, is to have to experience it and come out on the other side. "This is how we learn. You might have made it hard on yourselves in the second half, but you did deserve it, you dug in and found a way to get over the line. Ultimately, you are in the finals, so a big congratulations." No man of the match was awarded as it was a real squad effort. Or reframed, everyone is man of the match because you've reached the Holy Lands of the finals and everyone of you should feel proud of your achievements. Saracens, thank you for your competition, your spirit and your true sporting conduct. Well played, and please feel very proud of your performance today.
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