North/Okes U12s 47

Barnstaple U12s 10

THIS was a very solid performance from the home side. Andrew North opened the scoring with two well taken tries which he duly converted. New player Chris Penna, in his first game for the U12s, made storming runs, from one of which he passed to Sam Robertson to score in the corner, converted by North.

The handling of the backs was first rate, and from one swift move Darcy Heard forced his way over for another try which he converted.

Right on half-time Will Hawkins used his considerable bulk to score another, which was converted by North, to leave the score 35-0 at the interval.

To prevent the game being too one-sided, some of the key North/Oke players were replaced to try to balance the sides. But Kevin Dennis scored and converted another try before Barnstaple got two unconverted tries of their own.

The home side had the last word when Cameron Rickerby scored after Luke Miller had gone close when he returned a clearance kick only to be pushed into touch near the line.

Training Friday 6pm at North Tawton.

On Sunday there is a three-way mini tournament v Torrington and Tavistock at Okehampton Rugby Club, 10am.

North/Oke U11s 21

Barnstaple U11s 19

THIS was an excellent team performance, with the forwards solid in scrums and lineouts, backs handling secure and tackling well in defence, which treated the crowd to an entertaining game as play moved from end to end.

North/Okes gained the upper hand in the opening exchanges and were unlucky not to open the scoring, when Tom Mallet put a foot in touch.

Midway through the first half North/Okes took the lead when Peter Gillard drove over the line after fine recycling of the ball from Tom White, Buster Francis, Brad and Jeb.

Excellent defence and tackling from Dan Curtis, Jamie Hignett and William Lethbridg, kept Barnstaple out until late in the half. When the Barnstaple forwards camped on the North/Okes line they were rewarded with two tries.

The second half continued to be evenly contested as defences held firm.

A strong run by Bill Sharp was held up on the line as North/Okes looked to regain the lead. From the resulting scrum the ball went on the blindside for Sharp to score.

Barnstaple began to dominate, this led to their third try. A try-saving tackle by Lethbridge lifted North/Okes? game. In the last few minutes a strong drive by Tom White led to a maul. Martin Hann ripped the ball out and crashed over the line for his first try of the season. Jordan Lee converted all three tries.