Changes meant Okes had to turn and take the strain

Western Counties

Okehampton 1sts 14

Newton Abbot 1sts 22

OKEHAMPTON had a creditable first half even with positional changes to a hastily rearranged side. Adam Curtis's switch from centre to number 8 being the most prominent.

The first 40-minute period was a see-sawing affair with Arnie Searle picking up two penalties and Graham Sage adding to his tally with another try.

Newton Abbot struck back with two unconverted tries to lead 12-11 at half-time.

Okehampton with wind advantage should have put the game beyond doubt, but failed again to capitalise on pitch position, and poor marking allowed Newton to score soon after the break.

Newton's significant pack weight advantage then told and too much of the next 20 minutes were spent in Okehampton's own 22.

Newton scored again after sustained pressure and with minutes to play Okehampton needed to score twice to take the match.

Numerous forays into the opposition's 22 were unfortunately unrewarded. Three penalties in a row should have occasioned a penalty try, but it was not given and the minutes elapsed.

The team, considering all the forced positional changes, performed well and could still have won.

It will, however, stand as a reasonably easy two-point opportunity lost.