Merit

Okehampton Colts 17

Barnstaple Colts 7

THE home side, looking to remain unbeaten, came out of the blocks smartly and immediately put the visitors under pressure and turning over possession.

With quick ball giving the Okes back line time plenty of options only last ditch tackles and a couple of handling errors prevented a score in the first few minutes. An attempted kick by Barnstaple to touch misfired and was fielded by Craig Dennis. The winger found a space in the visitors' midfield for the first score of the game.

The back row of Folland, Cooper and Moyes were causing problems for the Barum half backs forcing turnover and mistakes that allowed the Okehampton back line to remain on the front foot. Okes' outside centre Luke Dennis exploited the gap and cantered in for the second try. His brother Craig added the conversion.

The remainder of the half saw Barnstaple start to come to life and some indiscipline from the Oke Colts saw the visitors command some territory in the host's half but dogged defence, especially from a series of line outs five metres out, repelled all attempts to score with the half finishing 12-0 to the Okes.

With wind and slope behind them , Barum started the second period brightly and soon had the Okes under pressure. A lack of concentration in defence and an over optimistic attempt at running the ball out from deep defensive positions allowed the visitors' strong running centre to capitalise on the defensive errors to score under the posts. The easy conversion reduced the score to 12-7.

The visitors continued to pressurise the defensive line but a couple of forward passes and handling errors let the Okes off the hook and after regaining some composure they again started to move into ascendancy.

The last 10 minutes saw the hosts hammer away at the Barum line with Paddy Moyes going close being held up over the line. Eventually the pressure told and after some excellent support play and handling lock Tom Elliot was on hand twice in the move that saw him crash over in the corner to seal the 17-7 win.

The club congratulate Thomas White and Chris Courtier on their county places for Devon in the win over Somerset on Saturday..