Okehampton Colts 38

Barnstaple Colts 0

PLAYING with the slope and wind in the first half the Okes got off to a fine start when they broke from set piece possession deep inside the visitors 22 for captain Will Hawking to offload to winger Jamie Stevens for the first score of the game.

The restart saw the visitors forcing the hosts into a series of penalties that threatened an early repost but the Okes line held firm with the only negative being a nasty neck injury to the Barnstable scrum half that saw the game delayed for 45 minutes with the player being taken to hospital. All at ORFC wish the player well for a speedy recovery.

Following the delay the home side began to assert authority, especially at the break down where an aggressive attitude not only secured quick ball on own possession but severely disrupted Barnstable ball that meant slow release and the Okes defence to force the visitors back.

The Okes' game plan saw the pressure start to result in territorial advantage and from a line out the home pack executed a text book line out drive that saw captain Hawking cross the line for a try that Dennis converted.

The home side back row of Knott, Hawking and Steptoe were increasingly creating havoc at the break down and it wasn't long before a carbon copy of the previous try opened up another try for Hawking.

The Okes line out was on form with Brad Hudson and Chris Pyle throwing accurately. Merrick Kirby proved a dominant force in the air with Hawking securing plenty of possession.

In the latter stage of the half the visitors went through several well constructed phases but from a line out five meters out, the Okes defensive back line attacked to perfection with centre Paul Windthorpe intercepting to run the length of the pitch to touch down for Dennis to convert .

The second half Okes were dominant at the breakdown and forcing plenty of errors and fullback Simon Fellows and Jack Phare continued by returning possession with purpose which was mirrored by the whole team who were beginning to run and interpass with confidence. Scrum half Darcy Heard race in for a try on the far left which Jamie Steven converted from the touch line.

The Okes persistent approach paid dividend throughout the rest of the game. With the back line now running with confidence, centre breaks from both Dennis and Cam Rickerby went close to further scores and an expansive move with a great miss pass to blind side winger Stevens caught the eye.

The final score went to Kev Dennis, who after good work from Pete Gillard and Harvey Ratcliffe, scored, which he then duly converted.