Merit table

Okehampton Colts 26

Torrington Colts 3

OKEHAMPTON continued their merit table programme against visitors Torrington with the game being played on the college pitch.

In good conditions for running rugby the Okes had the early advantage in terms of possession with the forwards providing a steady stream of ball for the backs.

Despite several probing runs from fly half Rickerby and the mid field of Taylor and Windthorpe, the Torrington defense proved to be well organized and finding the break or half break was proving elusive.

Torrington started to compete aggressively at the break down where their excellent number seven was responsible for several turnovers. With the visitors slowing down the Okes' possession, the home side started to get frustrated and after a series of penalty indiscretions, Torrington slotted an easy kick from in front the posts for an early lead.

With a couple of players absent on second team duty or injury, Oke Colts looked strangely disjointed with numerous unforced errors and wrong options.

Eventually towards the end of the first half they spluttered into life and after some good phases that sucked in the defense, the ball was spun wide for Jamie Stevens to finish well in the corner for a half time score of 5-3.

The second half continued in similar vain with a lack of impetus from the home side and the Torrington lads running hard and breaking the defensive line tackles on several occasions. When it mattered most the Okes' defense held firm with Si Fellows making several last man standing tackles.

Harvey Ratcliff's introduction at half time combined with Andrew Fishliegh's rekindled enthusiasm seemed the much needed catalyst that the Okes' pack needed to gain control of the game. Some good work in second and third phase saw the ball spun wide to Jack Phare who made good ground and from just outside the Torrington 22, Fishliegh picked up and drove for the line and with quick release of the ball to Callum Ausden the winger fed Pete Gillard coming at pace on an inside line to race in under the posts. Stevens added the extras.

Further quick ball saw the back line in full flow with Ausden racing through the midfield gap to outstrip the defense with Steven's again adding the conversion.

Almost immediately from the restart, Ratcliff took the ball on and with Hawking and Fishliegh making further ground the backs combined well and with some nice ball skills and good timing of the pass, Joe Taylor raced to the line for the last try of the game with Stevens adding the final two points.