Devon & Cornwall League Wadebridge Camels 1st XV 30 Okehampton 1st XV 10 A DISAPPOINTING defeat for Okehampton but one where the scoreline does not tell the whole story. If it was not for defensive naivety and a lack of attacking incisiveness when in the attacking third, the teams were not that far apart. Wadebridge are in form and a team with pace and penetration in their back three. This is something Okehampton did not have to defend against at all last season and is proving to be a problem against better sides this year. All started well when Okehampton withheld the initial onslaught and drove manfully at the home pack. Fly half Brimmacombe kicked a penalty and they were 3-0 ahead, playing against the wind. The home side replied with a try from their pacy full back and increased their lead with a catch and drive effort shortly before the interval. Both scores went unconverted and Okehampton found themselves 10-3 behind. Just before the interval the referee decided to gift the home side a penalty try for persistent infringement. Okehampton felt this was totally underserved and it took the game beyond their reach. Despite out-scrummaging the home side and consistently driving them back at ruck and maul, Okehampton were unable to turn their forward superiority into points. It was vital Okehampton started the second half brightly ? they failed to do this and Wadebridge scored another unconverted try, followed shortly after by a penalty kick to stretch the lead to 25-3. Again the Okehampton pack drove forward and got their reward, when captain and Number 8 Ali Mason crossed between the posts after a well driven scrum. Brimmacombe converted and it was no more than the forwards deserved after they had consistently shown superior technique against larger, heavier opponents. But defensive lapses again proved costly as Wadebridge?s left winger stretched the lead with a try wide out. Things could then have got worse, if it was not for two excellent covering try saving tackles from winger Tom Powell, and a succession of poor place kicks from the home centre. The final whistle went and Okehampton were left to reflect on what might have been. The pack are starting to find top form, but unless Okehampton find a cutting edge to make use of possession, many games that should be won may slip away. Missed tackles and poor defensive alignment, as Okehampton are discovering, are often punished by tries in this higher standard of rugby. This week brings the first home league match of the season against Wessex. A home win is much needed and home form may well prove to be the key to the whole season.
