Okehampton RFC U15s 29 Wolverhampton RFC 7 AFTER their successful tour to West Cornwall, Okehampton?s U15 have concluded their season with a match against tourists Wolverhampton RFC. After the initial onslaught, the visitors began to gain some composure and forced their way into the Okes? 22 where determined and well organised defence saw the pressure relieved through the excellent boot of Rob North. Scrum half Jamie Dart took a well timed pass to crash over for the first score. The restart saw play continued in a similar vein. Andy Ash delivered a great pass to tenacious hooker Matt Stratton. From the resulting ruck the ball was worked on the blind side and after working the overlap Johnny Grayling was sent in for the second try. Back row Phil Harding was everywhere proving a real handful and after a clearing kick he took the ball forward into a ruck. Prop Paul Thomas was continuing his recent excellent form and after breaking two tackles delivered a superb pass to Tom Chisolm who ran the remaining 40 metres to score the third try. This passage of play typified the improvement in Chisolm?s game this season and demonstrated why he was the Under 15s? Most Improved Player in the previous evening?s award ceremony. The second half saw the Wolves make a determined effort. A long clearing kick from North saw Luke Hutton following up diligently and after taking advantage of the bounce, he collected the ball to run half the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Walker converted. Well into the half a period of concerted defensive pressure from the Okes saw Liam Walker intercept a pass to again score under the posts which he again converted. Wolves at last gained their just reward for some spirited play to score a converted try which closed the game out at 29-7 to the Okes. The game proved a fitting end to a successful season for the Under 15s whose final record stands at played 28, Won 22, Drawn 1 and Lost 5. This final game was also an emotional farewell to Rob North who was awarded the Under 15 Player of the Year. Ever present in the team from Under 12 days and having captained the side in their U13 and U14 seasons, Rob and his family will soon be moving to New Mexico, USA. All at Okehampton and North Tawton Rugby Clubs wished Dave, Sarah, Rob and Andrew every success in their new life. Andrew has been a key member of this year?s U13s North Okes side and Rob has played an invaluable role at fly half for the Okes? U15s where his astute kicking and tactical awareness have been a key factor in the team?s success in not only this but also in recent seasons. His play this year has rightly seen him selected for Devon U15s.
