Devon and Cornwall League Crediton 1st XV 13 Okehampton 1st XV 7 LOCAL derbies often produce dour games, where both sides are so scared of losing that they fail to express themselves in an attacking sense. This game was no exception. On a cold but dry day, conditions were good for running rugby, but both sides went into their shells and the game became a war of attrition between two well matched packs. Okehampton started up the slight slope and had the majority of early possession; no real positive use was made of it though and after a quarter of an hour Crediton moved into Okehampton?s 22 for the first time. A blind side move seemed to have broken down when former Okehampton winger Andy Murray stepped back inside off his wing and broke through some flimsy tackling for a soft score which was also converted. The match was failing to reach any heights as both sides were guilty of basic errors ? dropped passes, wrong options and lack of width were the order of the day. Okehampton did enter Crediton?s 22 before the interval on several occasions and from one sortie they earned a kickable penalty. Unfortunately, it was missed and the sides went into the interval with Crediton leading 7-0 and the match there for the taking for whichever of the two sides could muster the conviction to attack the opposition in the second half. The home side stretched their lead to ten points early in the second period when centre Toms successfully converted a penalty award. Okehampton also went down to 14 men at this point further to hinder their cause. The crowd were crying out for some attacking flair as both packs slugged it out and defences were generally on top. Then Okehampton produced their best period of the match; Gary Sizmur replaced young Luke Wonnacott at fly half who had showed some nice touches and signs of promise in his abbreviated debut. The Okehampton pack drove into Credtion territory and for the first time in the match an outside break was made as Sizmur showed good pace and a useful step as he wrong-footed the full back and crossed under the sticks for a fine try. Lee Carey converted and at 10-7 it was game on with fifteen minutes remaining. Strangely though, Okehampton never looked completely convinced that the game was winnable. They failed to produce any scoring opportunities except for another penalty chance, which struck the uprights and bounced safely into the arms of a defender and the danger was cleared. Time was ticking away when Crediton had a last gasp penalty chance in front of the posts. It was successful and the final whistle blew, leaving Okehampton with the consolation of retaining the Frank Webb Cup on aggregate over the two games between the sides this season. This was an off day for the Okes, who despite missing several regulars knew that this was a game they could, and should have won. Next up in the league is Wellington at home in the New Year, a side against which, earlier this season Okehampton produced their best rugby so far. A similar performance would help erase the memories of this disappointing defeat.
