Okehampton Acorns III 20
OPMs 7
WITH the third team at home again this week, there was plenty of player availability and a full team with five substitutes available.
Unfortunately no referee was allocated to the game due to shortages in the Devon RFU referees' association. At the last minute Charles Ewen picked up the whistle and had the unenviable position of not only refereeing his own side but also his three brothers! He accomplished his task well, gaining the respect of the visitors early on as being fair and competent.
In the first 15 minutes the Acorn players hardly laid a hand on the ball with OPMs recycling well. A more aggressive approach from the Okehampton forwards started to turn the game around and eventually after a thrust up the middle of the field an infringement by OPMs led to a penalty well within Adam Holiday's range, Okehampton were three points ahead.
Toby Daniel, in the centre, spotted the gap and crossed the line for a try converted by Holiday.
This advantage was short lived, as from the kick off the ball, obscured by the sun, bounced well for the OPMs and was picked up and the player went all the way to score under the posts. This try was converted.
Okehampton maintained pressure in the second half but determined tackling was required to stop either side gaining the upper hand. Eventually a move on the right wing saw recent acquisition Richard get his first try for the club.
After a good catch and drive from a lineout a drive over the visitors' line made Perry Vallance's job of touching down an easy one.