Kingsbridge 13
Okehampton 18
THE OKES faced the league leaders in what looked to be a very difficult test of their mettle.
The vernal conditions were to the side's liking and the opening exchanges were fairly even with a Kevin Dennis penalty being cancelled out by a similar effort from the Kingsbridge kicker. On 22 minutes the muscular home pack were able to drive over from close range to give the hosts an 8-3 lead and the game appeared to be going with the form book. Kingsbridge had a slight advantage in the forwards but the young Oke backs had the edge over their hosts in the threequarters. After the ball had been moved wide by Okehampton a penalty was awarded for offside and Dennis was able to bring the scores to 8-6 after 28 minutes. This seemed to stir a curiously hesistant Kingsbridge into life and it was their turn to use their backs to good effect for the winger to go over near the corner to extend the lead to 13-6.
The second period began with Okes putting themselves in a number of good attacking positions but with the lineouts misfiring they were unable to capitalise. However, with 13 minutes to play a kick ahead from Alex Dennis saw good lineout ball spread wide to Rob Fishleigh. Despite having to retrieve a poor pass and with three defenders on him, he was able to wriggle over in the corner to make it game on at 13-11.
Shortly afterwards as Okes piled on the pressure, Kevin Dennis struck the top of the post with a good penalty attempt and it seemed that the game was destined to go the way of the hosts. However, as Kingsbridge sought to attack a floated pass deep in Oke territory was picked off by replacement Rory Honeychurch who used his fresh legs to run nearly the length of the pitch to dot down at the posts. The conversion took the score to 18-13 and Okehampton had recorded a fine win.