North Okes U12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Derby U12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
GAMES will not get much closer than this one against Derby who were on a three match tour of Devon.
As always North Okes were up against a much larger team with some of the opposition pack standing over six foot tall!
North Okes kicked off and with the wind with them they managed to pin Derby back with some excellent positional kicking from Andrew North.
The North Okes forwards upped the game to a level not yet seen this year and from a ruck Will Hawkins picked up and drove over the line to score an excellent and well deserved try.
Conversion by North. From the restart the home team drove the opposition back for James Ewen to make a break down the blind side passing to Andrew North who powered his way over the line. Conversion by North. This left the half time score at 14-0.
The second half was a completely different game with the weather now in the favour of the visitors and following a slight mistake from the backs they pounced on this opportunity and scored but did not convert.
The North Okes defence continued to hold strong right up until the final minutes before the visitors managed to find a way through to score another try and conversion. Special mention to the North Okes forwards of Andrew Fishleigh, Rob (Steppy) Steptoe, Will Hawkins, Tom Dean, Merick Kirby and James Speak for an outstanding performance.
This is the level of performance and maturity that they now need to maintain.
Training Friday on the Astro-turf, Home to Barnstaple at North Tawton on Sunday.