Okehampton 36
St Austell 23
OKES deservedly won this entertaining match with both sides looking to play open rugby.
The home forwards, when they applied themselves, dominated the set pieces when they often failed to produce fast ball at the rucks.
In true festive spirit, Okes gave their Cornish visitors a ten-point start which Thomas reduced when the pack powered over from a lineout.
Following on from a turnover Cook put away powerhouse prop Longbridge, who rampaged on a 50 metre run only to feed Griffiths on the line.
The Saints replied with a fine try which was converted.
Then Okes took control with drop goals from Searle and Cook, followed by two Searle penalties and a well-worked try by the diminutive Cook, which was converted.
The visitors, desperate to recover lost ground, responded with another try wide out, following several good phases of play.
Okes then lost all-action forward Alford to be replaced by Ovens. Following an attack Thomas touched down from a five-metre scrum.
A worthy victory and good preparation for the visit of Ivybridge on Saturday. Okes will need to improve on this performance especially in their first up tackles, though with the pack now beginning to operate as a unit anything is possible.