Western Counties West

Penryn 24

Okehampton 13

THE OKES travelled down to the Memorial Ground anticipating a tough encounter against a side that had recruited well during the close season and had won both of their opening games — they were not to be disappointed.

Okehampton started the game playing up the slope but with a slight advantage in terms of the stiff breeze. The first five minutes saw the visitors take the game to Penryn, they recycled the ball well to go through a number of phases before the ball was moved through the hands for winger Kevin Dennis to make a strong run deep into the home 22. This, conversely, led directly to the opening score for Penryn as when the hosts eventually cleared downfield, Okehampton were unable to find touch with their own attempted clearance, instead finding the grateful arms of Penryn full-back Rob Banks, who needed no second invitation to beat his man to score wide out on the left to give Penryn a 5-0 lead.

The Okes were then forced to defend manfully for long periods although on two of their rare forays into enemy territory they were able to win penalties for offside and holding-on in the tackle in the 12th and 22nd minutes. These were both coolly converted by fly-half Carl Poynton, who was again having an accomplished afternoon, to the give the visitors a 6-5 lead.

On 35 minutes this was increased to 13-5 following an opportunistic score under the uprights from scrum-half Richie Friend. The Okes' line-out had become somewhat ragged and following one such stolen ball by the home side they were unable to capitalise as Friend sniped through to steal the ball from his opposite number. The try was converted by Buzz Brimacombe as Poynton was receiving treatment following an illegal tackle which led to him being replaced shortly before the interval.

Hopes within the ranks of the travelling supporters that an away win would be recorded were soon diminished as Penryn took only 12 minutes to bring the score to 13-12. Following a period of concerted pressure near the Oke line, number eight Nathan Pascoe picked up from a five metre scrum and powered over leaving namesake Dave Pascoe with a straightforward conversion.

The visitors responded brightly but their continuing inability to retain possession at the breakdown led to a penalty to the hosts that allowed them to clear their lines. This turned out to be the final phase of offensive rugby from the Okes. 20 minutes were remaining when, following a succession of forward drives, the ball was moved wide to full-back Chris Mann who scored in the corner.

Okehampton were denied a losing bonus point when Banks scored his second try with 10 minutes remaining.

The try followed some stout defence from the visitors in repelling wave after wave of attack but eventually Penryn worked the enevitable overlap for the full-back to score in the corner. The try was converted to give the hosts a 24-13 victory.