Okehampton 1st XV 17
Devonport Services 10
A RARE break from league action gave Okehampton the chance to test themselves against higher league opposition in a friendly fixture.
Wet and blustery conditions were the order of the day at Oaklands, and with the wind in their favour for the first half the home side knew they would have to pile on the points before the break.
The Chiefs got off to a good start, using the conditions to pin Services down in their half. Some excellent scrummaging work against a physically larger pack resulted in a try for no 8, Ali Mason, who drove over beneath the posts. Harry Bushin added the conversion.
Okehampton?s second try came from quick thinking Dave Bickle. The scrum half took a quick penalty 20 metres out and dummied his way through the disorganised defence to touch down in the corner.
With the wind strengthening the home side would have to work hard in the second period to defend what was increasingly looking like a slender 12-point lead.
Any concerns were justified immediately after the break when the visitors crossed for the first of their tries following a period of sustained pressure in the Chiefs? 22.
Services soon added a second in similar fashion. Giving away some silly penalties allowed the visitors to kick deep into Okehampton?s half, who, with the wind against them, found it impossible to kick out of danger. A try was inevitable and came in the form of a well organised rolling maul.
With 20 minutes of the match remaining and the Chiefs hanging on to a slender two-point lead it seemed only a matter of time before the Plymouth side would add the winner.
But it was Okehampton who rallied and the whole side must take credit for what was a determined and well organised defensive effort. The pressure soon told on a frustrated Services side who conceded a number of penalties allowing play to be pushed into their 22. The ball was worked wide from the lineout and following good loose play Chapman sealed the win with a well taken try.
This was one of the best defensive efforts of the season, particularly around the fringes of rucks and mauls, an area of play Okehampton will be keen to develop as they go into the season?s two remaining league fixtures against Newquay and Kingsbridge. A win in either should guarantee a fourth place finish in the Cornwall and Devon League.