Cornwall and Devon
Bideford 18
Okehampton 26
AFTER the disappointment of last week with the 15-14 defeat by Penryn, it was vital for the promotion aspirations of the Chiefs that they returned to winning ways at the earliest available opportunity.
Playing with the advantage of a strong wind in the first half it did not take long before the Okes took a firm grip on the game.
A dominant scrummage and well-functioning lineout laid the platform for a good supply of possession and the backs relished the flat, wide pitch and some uncharacteristically hesitant Bideford defence.
The game was just 10 minutes old when a scything break from half-way by Luke Honeychurch continued with the ball going through several pairs of hands before reaching his centre partner Alex Dennis, who shrugged off a couple of would-be tacklers to score close to the posts. Honeychurch slotted the resultant conversion and Okehampton were 7-0 to the good.
The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when scrum half Joey Bruce scooped up a loose ball at the back of a Bideford ruck to sprint under the posts from 35 metres out. The simple conversion from Honeychurch took the score to 14-0.
Okehampton were now full of confidence and on the half hour mark scored the best try of the match. Second row Neil Perrott took a quick tap penalty from just inside his own half and embarked on a fine run into the home 22 selling a plethora of dummies to a bemused Bideford defence.
As ever, the mercurial Simon Cox was on hand to receive Perrott's pass and managed to jink his way to line. Honeychurch's kick was again successful to extend the lead to 21 points.
Shortly before the interval, on a rare foray into Okehampton territory Bideford were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which was converted to make the half time score 21-3.
The second period saw a series of pick and drives by the Bideford pack, which took them up to the Okehampton line and despite some firm defence, they eventually drove over. The conversion was missed but shortly afterwards Bideford slotted a second penalty to bring the score back to 21-11.
Okehampton were now very much on the back foot as the Bideford forwards were gaining supremacy at the break-down and, with the exception of the peerless Simon Cox, the Okes were not getting their hands on loose ball. Fifteen minutes were remaining when a strong run from one of the Bideford centres resulted in their second try.
Okehampton responded by using the driving maul to good effect in the face of the strengthening wind; they drove deep into Bideford territory.
A penalty was awarded as the home side infringed in their desperation to get their hands on the ball and Okehampton opted to take a scrum some five metres out.
The scrum went forward as it had all day and number eight Steve Alford was able to control the ball to give the Okes the cushion of an eight point lead. Shortly afterwards the final whistle went and there was immense relief within the Okehampton camp.
• This week Okehampton play Crediton, kick off at 2.30pm at Oaklands Park.