Western Counties West

Kingsbridge 27

Okehampton Chiefs 33

OKEHAMPTON's season got off to a fine start with this win at last season's runners-up, Kingsbridge. High House is a notoriously difficult place to win but this is now the Okes third victory there on the bounce.

The home side started the brighter and took a deserved lead in the 12th minute as the Okes were penalised for offside at the breakdown and fly-half Newman converted. The same player increased their lead seven minutes later when he capitalised on an Oke pass that went to ground, fly-hacking on and a fortuitous bounce saw him able to gather the ball and dotting down next to the posts. The missed conversion left the score at 8-0.

The Okes had their first opportunity to open there account when the home side were initially penalised for not rolling away before being marched back 10 yards for dissent. However despite this extra yardage, Poynton still fell short with the attempt at goal.

The deficit was reduced a minute later though as Kingsbridge failed to clear their lines following the kick and after being awarded a penalty, Kev Dennis took advantage to slot a fine drop goal. Two minutes later though the home side extended their lead through an unconverted try, again scored by fly-half Newman.

The visitors were clinging on and through the boot of Carl Poynton had reduced the arrears to four points to keep themselves in the game as he kicked successive penalties awarded.

Okes' coach Brett Luxton must have had inspirational words at half-time as the visitors produced a stunning second half performance to run away with the game although a couple of late Kingsbridge tries flattered the home side in the eventual score line. The Okes took the lead in 46th minute when they moved the ball through hands up the hill and Luke Honeychurch was on hand to finish. Carl Poynton duly converted.

Seven minutes later the lead was increased, this time through their forwards. Kingsbridge were awarded a scrum on their own 5-yard line but the powerful Okes scrum destroyed the home pack to be awarded a scrum of their own. They marched the home side back in a controlled fashion to allow No 8, Tom McGrattan to touch down and Poynton duly added the extras.

In the 67th minute the game was made safe when winger, Cameron Rickerby, who was having a fine game, intercepted a pass deep inside his own 22 before launching a superb counter-attack. His mazy run made the initial yards before off-loading to Sizmur; he burst through two tackles before releasing the supporting Kev Dennis who outran the defence and score under the posts; Poynton converted. The scoring continued apace in the closing stages with the home side scoring a couple of converted tries to a Kev Dennis penalty.

n Okehampton are away to Devonport Services on Saturday, while the seconds host v Devonport Services secs and the Colts play Bideford Colts. All kicking off at 3pm.

OKEHAMPTON RFC are holding a pledge evening at its clubhouse on on Friday, September 30 to raise funds for the re-development of training facilities at Brightley. Offers of goods or services to be auctioned on the night would be most welcome. For more information see its website http://www.okerugby.com">www.okerugby.com or visit the clubhouse.