Devon and Cornwall League

Wellington 15

Okehampton 11

RECENT performances had indicated that unless the Okes' form improved, anyone of the league's stronger sides could take advantage. This proved to be the case this week as Okehampton were defeated in this rearranged league match against an improving Wellington.

Oke played with the slight slope from the kick-off, but spent much of the first half ensconced in their own half; in fact long periods were spent in their own 22. The Okes had a shove on in the set scrums all afternoon but the line-out was not functioning; the visitors had the majority of possession and used it well to pin the visitors back and onto the defensive.

Apart from a couple of forceful forays from Ali Mason, the Okes' supporters had little to cheer. Wellington applied pressure and it only seemed a matter of time before the first score would follow. Midway through the half it happened as the visitors' defence was breached on their right flank. The Wellington left wing was put clear, he stepped inside to leave the last two Okes' defenders grasping at air and crossed for a converted try. The home side soon followed with a straightforward penalty chance that they duly accepted to stretch their lead to ten points.

The Okes managed to reduce the deficit before the interval thanks to two well struck penalties from the ever reliable boot of winger Lee Carey. The Okes entered the interval only four points down; despite their performance and coming off second best in most aspects, they still had a chance to snatch an unlikely victory.

The first quarter of the second period saw Oke produce their best rugby of the match. The forwards began to gain some ground and with the home side reduced to 14 after a sin-binning, they began to move into Wellington's 22 for the first time. Oke camped on their hosts' line and even drove over from a five metre scrum, but made a mess of the grounding. As opposed to Okes, who failed regularly to clear their lines at crucial times, Wellington did manage to relieve pressure through the experienced kicking of their half backs.

Then, finally, Okehampton's backs got an attacking chance and they took it. Good hands saw winger Tom Powell released down the right wing. He was tackled, but good support play from centre Like Honeychurch, who was the pick of the visitors' backs, saw him burst through a tackle and cross in the corner for a crucial score. The conversion was missed but Oke remarkably had the lead in a game after never really threatening previously.

The Okes failed to consolidate and keep their line intact after a score of their own. A minute of madness then ensued where interceptions were thrown; lines not cleared; and possession turned over, this ended with the home full back scoring the resultant try to retake the lead for the hosts. The conversion failed and with time remaining the Okes were still in the game. Unfortunately they never sustained any pressure and gain enough territory to achieve the match winning score.

l This week Okehampton are away to Saltash.

Newton Abbot Colts 3

Okehampton Colts 33

OKEHAMPTON soon got on the scoreboard when outside centre Rory Honeychurch took a short ball off fly-half Kevin Dennis on the 22 to score, Jamie Stevens converted. Full-back Jake Chisholm caught a Newton kick inside his own half; Honeychurch took a long pass midfield and out through the 22, linking with scrum-half Richard Friend to score in the corner.

The Okes then had a go with a catch and drive off a lineout — just being stopped before the try line, but a quick pass to fly-half Dennis saw him step inside the defender to score and add the conversion. Honeychurch then cut through the Newton Abbot defence to score his second try. Dennis converted for a 26-3 half-time score.

In the second half the forwards were again supplying plenty of good ball, with prop Stuart Bennie having an outstanding game; well supported by hooker Brad Hudson, second row Merrick Kirby and flanker Rob Stepto, who had several useful runs. After a long period of pressure in their 22 wing Callum Ausden scored in the corner, well converted by centre Carl Poynton. Okehampton maintained the pressure on Newton Abbot, who defended well in the last quarter.