Western Counties west
Okehampton 7
Newton Abbot 29
WITH Newton Abbot having lost six league games on the trot this should have been the ideal opportunity for Okehampton to get their season back on track on home ground.
But it was Newton Abbot who emerged from the changing rooms the hungrier to record a victory.
The visitors were first to score from a close-range driving maul, a tactic that was repeated throughout the game and one the home side seemed unable to defend against.
Okehampton's only points came from hooker Bruce Griffith who crashed through following a quick tap penalty from Arnie Searle.
Newton scored again before the break, leaving the half-time score at 15-7.
It was the luck of the bounce that put the game out of sight for Okehampton, with a kick ahead landing perfectly for the visiting side to gather and score beneath the sticks.
The main lesson to take from the game is to keep hold of the ball once you have it. All too often, possession was lost from loose situations where more effective rucking would have ultimately been converted into points.
With just three league wins so far this season, a higher commitment is going to be required from players if Western Counties status is going to be retained.