Brixham U15s 24

Okehampton U15s 34

OKEHAMPTON took time to settle and Brixham took full advantage, running in two tries in the first ten minutes. They took driving mauls 20 or 30 yards upfield and their number 8 kept getting over the gain line.

At 12-0 down Okehampton used the wind and kicked downfield to the corners. The forwards pressurised the Brixham backs and hacked on the fumbled ball for two tries by captain Simon Cox. Brixham replied with a third try before Sam Turner drove over from a ruck for his first try. At 17-17 the half ended and Okehampton were relieved to not be behind.

Playing against a gusting wind Okehampton changed tactics. Going blind from the scrum with number 8 drives and wing support along with strong running from the backs, they worked their way upfield. Gary Sizmur at scrum half distributed the ball well. Brixham tried using the wind but their long kicks were run back 40 yards by full back Phil Woods.

Despite this wind advantage the home side were only able to score one try in the second half as the Okehampton team harried them and tackled them into the ground.

Cox crushed the Brixham half backs and destroyed their rhythm along with scoring two more tries. Turner scored his second and Andy Herrod-Taylor converted two of the six tries.

Brixham lost their influential number 8 through injury in the second half and Okehampton followed their talisman captain Cox as he steamrolled and flattened the opposition.

This week away to Exeter Chiefs. Meet at 9.30am.

Okehampton U13s 10

Crediton U13s 12

OKEHAMPTON, missing some key players, welcomed Josh Moshman and Jamie Atherton for their first game for the club. Both lads made valuable contributions.

Crediton showed their intent towards the running game with their forwards setting good possession for their threequarters to run at the home defence.

Phil Harding, Lewis Kiely and Matt Stratton were caused problems disrupting the Crediton forwards, turning over possession at the ruck and holding the ball up in the maul.

Because of absentees the Okes backs had lads playing out of position together and marshalling new players. The visitors capitalised on this with their strong centre outstripping the defence to score the opening try under the posts, which was converted.

From the restart Okehampton got into their stride. David White, Jon Harwood and Luke Wonnacott all made good ground with hard driving runs. Phil Harding continued to work tirelessly to win a stream of ruck ball.

When the visitors got their hands on the ball they immediately spread it to the backs but after their early setbacks, Nick Veal got his threequarters organised and never gave their opposite numbers an inch.

The excellent work of the forwards eventually brought its rewards when Harwood crashed over wide on the left. The try was unconverted.

The second half saw the Okes win a scrum in the centre. Scrum half John Radnor kicked the ball high for the wind to take it deep into the Crediton 22. Some excellent follow-up saw Veal and his backs force the defence into errors. Radnor took a quick penalty to pass to Wonnacott who drove through a number of defenders to score an unconverted try for the Okes to lead 10-7.

Crediton came back with a vengeance and despite sterling defence from Chisolm, Penna and Jamie Atherton, the visitors? pressure paid off when a run from a five-metre scrum saw them score.

Okehampton?s player of the match: Phil Harding.

Next game home to Exeter (Devon Cup) November 10.