Okehampton Seconds 23
Bideford Seconds 21
ON A day more favourable to cricket than rugby, warm with a low sun and rock-hard pitch, the home side started up the slope.
Early pressure from the visitors was matched by determined tackling and good defence in the Okes? half. The visitors got on the scoresheet from a penalty, which was quickly followed by a second before Dave Wills reduced the advantage with a penalty for Okehampton.
A good move by Bideford centre, switching back inside, resulted in a well worked and deserved try and conversion.
This motivated Okehampton to make use of good ball provided by the forwards who had primacy in the lineout and second phase play.
Dave Wills started the move on the far touchline and broke two tackles to give the ball to Adam Holiday 20 metres out. He found no-one in support and had to put his head down and go for the line, which he did in fine style.
The next try for Okehampton was started deep in their own half when Steve Alford broke through the middle finding himself clear, but with a long way to go. He held up long enough for support in the form of Colt Eddie Mann to catch up with him and take the ball over from almost 30 metres out.
Changing ends at 13-13 the game was alive and there to be won. Good forward driving and support in open play kept Okehampton in the visitors? half. A pick-up at the base of the scrum by number eight Steve Alford and a drive-over in corner marked an excellent first game of the season for Steve, whose experience and natural ability helped bond the pack into their best effort.
It took a good crash ball and low body angle run for team captain Adam Curtis to increase the points difference with a try. Holiday converted to take the home side?s points to 23.
Bideford gained another penalty and try in the last ten minutes.
Okehampton had to survive two agonising penalty attempts at goal before ending up winners.