Western Counties (West)

Exeter Saracens 14

Okehampton 14

OKEHAMPTON were away to Exeter after a week's break and should have been right up for this game but unfortunately it was not to be.

A slow start and some basic mistakes meant that they were down by two penalties in the first ten minutes. Another penalty was awarded to Exeter but this was missed. Worse was to follow for the visitors when the ever reliable pack were forced back for a pushover try that was not converted to make it 11-0 to Exeter. 

Several good opportunities from line-outs were wasted and Okehampton just could not get there backs free with any decent ball. With half time approaching both sides were not playing well and getting frustrated and a fight broke out resulting in Oke losing two players to and Exeter one — all yellow carded.

At the beginning of the second half Okehampton came back into the game with a well judged interception by Craig Dennis touching down beneath the posts. Carl Poynton converted.

The visitors brought on three experienced players coming on it seemed to calm them down and this was the start of the best period of the game for them. Several scrums inside Exeter's 22 eventually led to a penalty try which again Carl Poynton converted to put Oke in the lead for the first timeat 14-11.

Exeter came back and applied a lot of pressure. Okehampton defended well but yet another penalty given away was well struck against the wind and now the scores were level again 14-14.

In the last five minutes Okehampton were awarded a penalty, a long range effort of about 45 metres. Even with with the wind Carl Poynton's effort fell short of the mark so the game remained tied until the end.