Western Counties
Okehampton 24
Wellington 28
IN a reversal of last week's fortunes, the Okes were on the wrong end of a late score which resulted in their second home loss of the season.
Visitors Wellington are flying high in the league after gaining promotion last term. Led by ex Gloucester veteran Dave Sims, they arrived with a large pack and some useful backs; however both sides fully played their part in this end to end encounter.
There was quite a breeze up the pitch throughout; Oke played into it during the first period and it soon became obvious that both sides were fairly evenly matched. After an early failure, fly half Carl Poynton struck a penalty to gain first blood for Oke. Wellington full back Nicholls soon replied in kind. The Okes were securing decent line out ball and the scrums were fairly even.
Midway through the half Wellington pounced for the opening try when poor Oke tackling allowed the visitors' pack to gain ground through the middle, resulting in a try to the right of the clubhouse uprights. Nicholls converted.
The Okes were struggling to create any clear cut scoring opportunities when Wellington chipped ahead during their next attack and Oke centre Luke Honeychurch came across to cover. He gathered the ball and set off down the right flank, he then outpaced all the visitors' cover defence and crossed for a classic counter attack score. The conversion was missed.
Just before the interval, Wellington countered and Oke committed an offence in front of their posts which Nicholls accepted to leave the score at 8-13 at the interval.
The second half began in a similar vein as both sides attacked in turn. Oke struck first with a Poynton penalty, this was soon matched by another Nicholls effort to leave it 11-16. Once again Poynton slotted another to narrow it to 14-16. Then Oke failed to organise and take cleanly from the kick off and it resulted in the visitors regaining possession and taking play deep into Oke's 22, before forcing their way over through the pack for their second score.
At 17-23 Oke needed to dig deep to get back on terms. Both sides made changes and Oke began to gain an edge at scrum time. before eventually scrum half Richie Friend burrowed over on the blind side for a try converted by Poynton.
The Okes were now ahead entering the last ten minutes. If it was not for two cruel bounces of the ball they may well have held on for another tight victory. However the kick ahead ran dead and gave Wellington advantage ending with a try for the Wellington centre. The conversion was missed, but the Somerset side had their noses in front. There was insufficient time remaining for Oke to conjure a score and a losing bonus point..