Devon RFU Intermediate cup final
Okehampton 20
Crediton 15
OKEHAMPTON first XV rounded off an excellent season for the whole club with this cup final victory over local rivals Crediton.
They made hard work of their victory though as the redoubtable visitors pack made them scrap for every piece of possession throughout the match.
With the weather set fair, a sizable crowd enjoyed a match that, in the first half, seemed to be comfortably in the home side's control, veer towards a nail biting climax.
The Okes played with the slope first up created openings, mainly thorough their lively backline.
The day's first score came from a set scrum; the ball was shipped via number eight Sam Turner, to scrum half Richie Friend and he gave right winger Rob Fishleigh the space to cross wide out for the opener. It was unconverted, but home spirits were raised by the early breakthrough.
Crediton were a handful up front and they soon reduced the arrears with a penalty from their stand off Milton.
Play then became scrappy and the Okes were unable to finish off several good opportunities but it was from a Crediton set scrum that they struck next. Scrum half Richie Friend pilfered possession from an untidy visitors scrum and shot through under the posts for a typical opportunist score. Fly half Mark Scrivener converted to make it 12-3 to the hosts.
The final score of the first half was probably the best of the afternoon.
Full back Gareth Espin fielded a loose clearance kick out of defence, he shot between a half gap and linked up with centre Luke Honeychurch who ran in his side's third try, to give the Okes a 17-3 lead at the interval.
Crediton came out recharged in the second half and it was not long before visiting scrum half Pearce shot over for a carbon copy version of his opposite number's first half effort. The conversion was good to make it 17-10.
The visitors visibly took confidence and with Oke making substitutions a plenty the game was swinging towards Crediton.
The Okes extended their lead through a Scrivener penalty and the game entered a nervous last quarter.
The home side continued to ring the changes and brought on all seven replacements from the bench including replacing the half backs.
This gave Crediton another boost and they forced the Okes deep into their own 22. From a close range scrum, Savage crossed for an unconverted score to set home pulses racing.
The home side were determined not to let the trophy slip though and put the ball out of play to trigger the final whistle and celebrations of an afternoon, and a season, of success for the whole club.
Skipper Ian Langbridge gleefully accepted the trophy and the players and fans alike celebrated as the season came to its' conclusion and a welcome break before the Okes second season back in Western Counties West resumes in September.