Okehampton U14XV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Crediton U14XV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

HAVING been successful in a derby game against Tavistock, the Okehampton RFC U14's entertained last season's county cup rugby finalists and local rivals, Crediton on November 30.

In previous encounters there has been little to choose between these two competitive sides and this match proved to be no exception.

In wet and slippery conditions the visitors held the advantage in the early exchanges with most of the play being in the Okehampton half. Despite Crediton's dangerous back line the Okes showed plenty of spirit in defence where, apart from a couple of last ditch tackles from Nick Veal and Jamie Dart, the home side contained the attacks. Clearing kicks from North and Radnor often caused confusion in the slippery conditions with counter attacks forcing the visitors onto the defensive back foot.

From such a counter attack the Okes forced a five yard scrum and with a great piece of scrum half play, John Radnor sold the defence a great dummy to dart over for the first score of the game.

Predictably Crediton came straight back into the game with wave after wave of attacks in determined attempts to level the scores.

Just before half time the Okes broke up field and with some excellent ball skills, took play close to the Crediton line but stout defence and a few wrong options meant the half time score remained 5-0 to the home side.

The second half saw Crediton throw everything into getting back on terms. But the Oke's defence meant it took a great long range effort from the visitors outside centre to break the deadlock with a good individual's try which was converted to put Crediton into a 5-7 lead.

With no more than 10 minutes remaining the visitors broke through when they capitalised on a handling error during an Okehampton attack to spin the ball wide to one of their strong and very fast wingers who outstripped the defence to score a converted try.

Despite this the Okes continued and committed efforts to fight back, the very resilient visitors again used their superior speed outside to spring a last ditch counter attack to score a converted try with the last move of the game.

Both teams should be congratulated on an excellent display with great skills being exhibited despite poor conditions.

Arny Searle was thanked for refereeing and allowing such a committed game to flow to everyone's benefit.

Okehampton U14s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Barnstaple U14s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

IN the light of Okehampton's and North Tawton's co-operation with regard to Junior Rugby this home fixture was held at, and with the hospitality of, North Tawton Rugby Club.

Despite playing into a strong wind and low winter sun, the Okes soon took control of the game with Jon Harwood, Paul Thomas and Richard Barrington all driving many hard yards to set up excellent ruck ball to allow the backs plenty of space to gain ground and pressurise the Barnstaple defence.

From a good passage of play that saw the Oke's forwards drive upfield with an impressive pick up and drive game. Jamie Dart, deputising at scrum half for the flu-bound John Radnor, broke from the back of a ruck to side-step and dummy the defence with an excellent early try.

Rob North converted.

The home side kept the pressure on and Rob North was able to capitalise on some good clean ball provided by the Oke's forwards to step inside the visitors' defence and sprint to the line to score a try that he also converted.

Barnstaple started to force their way but, despite their determination, the Okes maintained control of the game and from a breakdown in the centre of the pitch, regained possession and with the ball moved down the back line it was left to Luke Hutton to use all his power and speed to fend off several tackles to break the defence and score an excellent try that was the newcomers' first try for the club.

This brought the half time score to 19- 0.

In the second half the Barnstaple backs started to gain in confidence but the excellent midfield defence of Josh Moshman and Luke Wonnacott thwarted many an attack.

Some sloppy play from the home side that saw them give away several penalties allowed the visitors' hard-running second row to burst through for a well-deserved try.

This wake-up call propelled the Oke's forwards back into action and after a series of driving runs prop Paul Thomas crashed his way over for a try that North converted. This score began a period of dominance that culminated in Lewis Keily complete the Okehampton try count that was again converted by North.

Barnstaple, not to be outdone, kept to their game and finished the game with a try from their scrum half who had had an excellent game throughout. An efficient and proficient team performance.

This weekend : Exeter Chiefs, away. Meet ORFC 9.30am.