Sidmouth U16's . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Okehampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

OKEHAMPTON U16's played away to Sidmouth on Friday evening in a league play off; the winner to play in the League final against Exmouth on Thursday evening 22nd April at Crediton RFC.

There are few words to describe the level of commitment shown by these young men on the night. Superlative, Fantastic and Awesome come to mind. Okehampton took control from the kick off and the forwards crushed the home side. Any ball Sidmouth did receive was hurried and under pressure, this gave way to unforced errors as the tackles rattled in.

In the first 3 minutes the ball was turned over from the kick off and Phil Woods nearly crossed the try line after a surging run from the centre. Ball was then recyled forcing a penalty in midfield;converted for 3 points by Herrod-Taylor.

Okehampton never stopped going forward with Searle, Hudson and Mortimore all driving on relentlessly.

Sidmouth found it hard to form any sort of platform for attack with Cox and Lawrence prowling the field looking for tackles and turnover ball backed up by the ever present duo of West and Turner.

They did however briefly lead with a well taken try for the centre after a quickly taken penalty saw Okehampton half asleep.

From then on Okehampton turned opportunities into points, Richard Bolt chipped ahead from a quick penalty on half way and the chasing backs retrieved the ball and fed winger Gary Sizmur who scored an unconverted try in the corner. Just before half time 2nd phase ball was spread wide to Sizmur who scored a second try in the corner despite having little space to work in — an international player could not have done better! Converted by Herrod-Taylor from the touchline Okehampton led 15-5 at halftime.

Sidmouth scored first in the second half with a penalty for 3 points but missed other vital kicks.

The home side were then shut out of the game as Okehampton encamped in their 22. Twice they crossed the line but were unable to ground the ball before Simon Cox raced off the side of the scrum to charge down a Sidmouth clearance kick for a converted try.

Okehampton were in control until the final whistle and as through much of the game the forwards drove the ball on efficiently and the backs made half break after half break.

Two try-saving tackles from full back Stewart Down denied Sidmouth any more points and along with his wingers Dean Beardon and Gary Sizmur fielding any kicks from the home side and soaking up the pressure Sidmouth rarely looked dangerous. Phil Woods had his best game of the season both with the ball in hand and in the tackle along with Clarke in the centre. Sizmur made the most of an outing on the wing to allow Bolt to play at scrum half.

The Okehampton 8 were outstanding and the backs scored 2 tries and converted 3 from 4 kicks.

The League final promises to be another great game.

Please come and support your U16's at Crediton next Thursday evening.