Okehampton U14s 38

Exeter Chiefs U14s 0

THE Okes entertained the Chiefs in a return fixture played in dry weather but on a sticky pitch.

Early exchanges showed the Exeter forwards in determined mood, disrupting the home side?s supply of possession. The visitors? attempts to progress towards the Okehampton 22 line were thwarted by aggressive defence, notably from Josh Moshman whose tackling forced a stream of errors.

The early breakthrough came from a scrum inside the Okes? half when scrum-half John Radnor broke away and with good support from his threequarters and took play deep into the vistors? half.

With play driven close to the line, prop Paul Thomas secured the try from a charged down kick. Rob North added the conversion with an excellent kick close to the touch line.

The Okes were beginning to make significant ground with good threequarter play where Jamie Dart and Liam Walker were making a succession of telling breaks.

From such play, the forwards took over and after a series of pick up drive plays they took play close to the Exeter line. The ball was released to the threes and Moshman, who made a half-break which drew in the defence then delivered a perfectly timed pass to winger Luke Hutton. He outstripped the defence with pace and power. North again added the conversion.

Moshman was again the provider with another well delivered final pass that was almost a carbon copy of his earlier effort. Hutton was again the grateful recipient to score his second try.

The home side?s approach of aggressive defence continued to provide a regular stream of turnover ball and from a breakdown, wing-forward Phil Harding outstripped the cover to score his team?s fourth try. He added to his and his team?s tally with another just before half-time .

The break saw several team changes to give less experienced members of the squad some important match experience.

With only five minutes of the second half gone , the Okes again made good progress into the Exeter half and after several phases of play, full back Rob Fishleigh came into the line on a great angle and at pace to draw in the defence. From the resulting ruck the ball was spun wide for Walker to score in the corner.

This signalled a spirited fight back by the Exeter side who forced the Okes back into their own half, having to spend much of the second half defending stoutly. Although crossing the line on more than one occasion the visitors were unable to ground the ball and the Okes? defence stood firm.

Man of the match: Josh Moshman.

This Sunday Launceston at home, kick-off 11am. Meet 10am.