Merit table Okehampton Colts 29 Exmouth Colts 0 ON a perfect afternoon for rugby, the early exchanges showed little between the two sides although the Okes, choosing to play against the slope and elements in the first half, were finding it difficult to get out of their own half. The home side began to exert some advantage through the efforts of Barrington, Friend and Harding in the back row who were beginning to be a thorn in the side of the opponents with their constant pressure. From a maul on half way Rich Barrington ripped the ball away and having broken several tackles fed Benney and Fishleigh, who in turn passed to winger Grayling who with a strong run broke several tackles for the first score. The rampant Okes back row was now being supported well by the rest of the pack and after another Barrington break play was taken close to the visitors' line. From a defensive scrum the back row again did their work and pressurised Exmouth into a handling error from which Barrington pounced to claim the second try. Although Exmouth were winning their fair share of possession the Okes were proving a handful in the ruck and maul where they were turning over possession. From such a turnover the ball went through several pairs of hands to Jake Chisholm who embarked on a determined run and after some excellent support Stuart Benney twisted, turned and spun his way over for an excellent team try, which Poynton converted. This brought the first half to a close with the Okes having played some sparkling rugby for a 17-0 lead. The second half, even with the slope and wind advantage, proved far more testing for Okes with Exmouth crowding the back line defence. While making life more difficult for the Oakland outfit home advantage was maintained with the maintenance of territorial advantage. In the final quarter the hosts were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the Exmouth line. Quick thinking from Poynton saw the ball spun wide with full back Fishleigh running in the try with Poynton adding the extras with an excellent conversion from wide. With less than 10 minutes to go the Okes again took play into the Exmouth 22 and after another passage of expansive play Tom McGratton ran in the final try. This win continued a current rich vein of form from the Okehampton Colts against opposition that had not only a physical advantage but also some impressive Merit table results in the season to date. Oke's player of the match: Stuart Benney. l Next week Merit table competition continues for Okes with the visit of Honiton.