Cornwall/Devon League

Mounts Bay 73

Okehampton Chiefs 6

IF anyone needed confirmation of how the professional era is affecting grass-roots rugby then they need look no further than Saturday's result - the game was a mismatch!

The Chiefs travelled to Penzance and on arrival at the ground and reading the teamsheet with its who's who of promising young players in Cornwall, it became obvious they were in for a difficult afternoon.

The senior Penzance side were playing away at Ottley, therefore Okehampton were afforded the use of the main pitch with its music and tannoy system, obviously enjoyed by those across the water in the Scillies!

There have been recent rumblings from the stronger clubs in the West Country that their second XVs have been unable to play consecutive weeks due to the numbers leaving the game. There have been several of these clubs asking if their second string could join the leagues. Huge opposition has been brought on this proposal and right now that idea is firmly on hold.

The professional set-up at Penzance had obviously seen the writing on the wall some time ago over this issue and Mounts Bay drop on the scene, enter the leagues at the lowest level, continue to wipe all before them and leave everybody jealous to the core of their achievements and ambition.

Within five minutes of the game Okehampton, who had soaked up enormous pressure, conceded the first of eleven tries. The scorer was the Mounts Bay open side wing forward James Jago who was inspirational throughout.

The conversion, the first of nine, was by the stand off Steven Trathen, the catalyst for all that was good from the home side.

Soon after, a poorly fielded high ball and the subsequent knock-on provided a scrum for the home side who through a passage of wonderful interpassing allowed centre Ryan Westren to score under the posts. The third try from a catch and drive allowed Jago his second score.

The Chiefs after a brief attack thwarted only by organised defence did win a penalty. Lee Carey stepped up and kicked the three points.

Two more tries before half-time made it 33-3 at the change.

Immediately from the restart Okehampton looked on fire. They took the game to the home side with some good support play, making good yardage and threatening the try line only to be denied once again by an organised defence. A penalty was given against Mounts Bay and Carey stepped up to add another three points.

From that moment on it was one-way traffic with the home side adding another six tries to the total.

To their credit the Chiefs never gave up and had it not been for some tenacious tackling by Mason, Philpott and Chapman it could well have been several more.