Devon and Cornwall League
Tavistock first XV 17
Okehampton first XV 38
OKEHAMPTON fielded a side full of home grown youngsters in this West Devon derby and they produced a performance to leave their fans purring with pleasure.
Okehampton were beset by injuries and unavailabilities so fielded an even more youthful side than usual, as they looked to continue their recent winning run. They began with the slope and breeze in their favour during the first half and produced a statement of their attacking intent within seconds.
A knock-on from the kick off allowed the visitors an attacking scrum centre field within the home twenty two. The ball was moved effectively to the right where left winger Rob Fishleigh marked his return to the side with a corner score within the first minute.
This seemed to startle both sides and the frenetic pace continued without respite as Tavistock centre Kaminski crossed by the posts almost immediately from the restart. He converted and with only minutes on the clock the game was already 7-5 and the fans could see they were in for a very open game.
It was looking increasingly like the home side preferred to attack through their forwards while Okehampton leaned towards using the pace and exuberance of their three quarters. Okehampton centre Luke Honeychurch popped up to gather the bouncing ball from a cross kick, to score beside the posts, the try converted by debutant fly half Carl Poynton for a 12-7 lead for the visitors.
The tit for tat scoring continued as Tavistock centre Kaminski landed a successful penalty to reduce the arrears to two points and the match really looked at this point as if it could go either way.
Okehampton's backs were looking dangerous every time they got the ball and with a willingness to attack from anywhere the Tavistock defence could not afford any complacency.
Then Okehampton's slick handling and timing of the pass, combined with sharp lines hit at pace allowed Fishleigh another overlap on the right flank. He fed the ball back inside to the support Gareth Espin who sped over to the right of the posts for a try that the increasingly influential Poynton converted. This left the interval score at 19-10 to Okehampton who would be up the slope during the second half.
Part two started well for the visitors and man of the match Poynton was now demonstrating the full range of fly half decision making.
He varied the game between accurate passing and astute tactical kicking which kept the home side's defence guessing and forcing them to turn when required. A loose defensive kick created the next score as winger Fishleigh fed full back Espin, who demonstrated his class by ghosting past the first defender and after a slick dummy he touched down for a lovely individual score. Poynton was again on target with the conversion and at 26-10 another two points were within reach.
Tavistock were still in the hunt especially when they had an attacking lineout on the visitor's five yard line.
The referee awarded a penalty and home centre Doug Law showed quick thinking and strength as he crashed over beside the posts for a converted score that gave the home side real belief.
But their joy was short lived. The ball was shipped blind via Okehampton's number eight Sam Turner, who turned in an impressive display, and the prolific Fishleigh again rounded off the move in the corner. Poynton added the obligatory conversion.
With the visitors' confidence growing they attacked from all areas and another clever cross field kick from Poynton bounced kindly into the gleeful hands of winger Fishleigh and he completed his hat trick.
The conversion failed and the final whistle followed soon after with Okehampton producing some of their best rugby for many seasons.
The confidence flowed throughout the side and the brand of rugby that these youngsters are producing under the expert tutelage of coach Brett Luxton is both easy on the eye and effective.