Landscape SW U16 league rugby final at Crediton

Exmouth 27

Okehampton 29

THIS final had everything, a close scoreline, drama, two passionate teams and two wonderful sets of supporters.

Exmouth started with more vigour and were given a penalty 40 metres out. Okehampton thought they were kicking to touch, but quick thinking by the Exmouth scrum half saw Okehampton defend their try-line and Exmouth drive over for five points.

Okehampton rallied and pressured the opposition in their 22 but could only try a failed penalty shot at goal. Exmouth then ran to the large blindside and a dummy saw them break the defensive line to score a converted try.

An injury to Stewart Down meant Luke Honeychurch had to play out of position at full back. Okehampton then got into their stride and the forwards rucked upfield with Sam Turner, Dan Hudson and Chris Searle driving onwards. Richard Bolt broke blind from the ruck 25 metres out to force through the tackles and score a converted try under the posts after 17 minutes? play.

From the restart Exmouth pressured the kicker, charged down a defensive clearance and recycled quickly for another try. Shortly afterwards they slotted a penalty to lead 20-7.

Lesser teams would have folded but this Okehampton side has something special and fought back, gaining their own penalty in the Exmouth 22. Andy Herrod-Taylor took it quickly and drew the defence, popping the ball to Gary Sizmur on the wing for a try to end the half 20-12 to Exmouth.

Needing a quick score after the break Okehampton were devastated to let Exmouth run in another try and found themselves 15 points adrift. But still they did not give up.

Ball spun wide to Rob Clarke on the right seemed to be going nowhere as three tacklers converged on him. Clarke chipped over the flat defence ten metres from the try-line and was awarded a penalty try after he was tackled and impeded without the ball.

Okehampton were now eight points down and a little drama occurred as an Exmouth player was concussed and the teams waited for him to be taken to hospital. He was discharged the same evening.

Play restarted with 25 minutes left and Okehampton pressured the Exmouth line. Simon Cox stole a lineout and set up a ruck in the Exmouth 22. Quick ball went to fly half Herrod-Taylor who held up the tackler and popped the ball to Richard Bolt whose strength and pace saw him score a converted try.

The game was finely poised with Exmouth only one point in the lead and 15 minutes left. Exmouth quickly had a penalty opportunity but pushed the ball wide of the posts.

Driving rucks and mauls gained Okehampton yard after yard and searching kicks put them downfield into kicking range.

An infringement gave Herrod-Taylor a penalty chance on the 22 and 15 metres in from touch. With five minutes left he slotted the ball dead centre despite the pressure upon him and the Okehampton support erupted ? they were two points ahead.

Exmouth tried hard to gain enough territory for a scoring chance and were confident as an Okehampton forward was put in the sin-bin. But the remaining seven still drove the Exmouth pack backwards, whether in a scrum or maul and Phil Woods along with Clarke in the centre kept the midfield safe.

Okehampton tackled and supported with the back three of Jonny Hutchins, Sizmur and Honeychurch getting better as the game progressed. Exmouth were denied any chances of a score and Okehampton were jubilant in victory winning the ?Sweedes Cup?.