Western Counties (West)
Okehampton 13
Ivybridge 9
FOLLOWING last week's disappointing loss to South Molton, Okehampton had a point to prove against visiting league side Ivybridge.
They did so with one of their best performances of the season, deservedly taking the two league points and moving a step further from relegation.
The conditions were not ideal for a running game of rugby but suited the home side's heavy pack withstanding water lying on the pitch throughout the match.
Okehampton opted to play up the slope and into a strong headwind for the first half, a decision that proved to be critical following an excellent first half defensive effort, restricting Ivybridge to a 6-3 lead at half-time.
With the wind on their backs and playing down the slope, Okehampton wisely opted for a kicking game, Arnie Searle and Dave Bickle taking advantage of the elements to keep Ivybridge deep in their half.
Searle soon added a penalty after the break to level the scores at 6-6.
It was a solo effort from winger Will Cambell which put the home side in front, gathering his own chip ahead and sliding into the corner for his first league score for the club. Searle added a superbly struck conversion, bouncing off the crossbar to add another two.
With the clock running down, Ivybridge were forced to attempt to run the ball from deep against the strong wind, but could not find any chinks in the Okehampton defence which had been superb all afternoon.
The team had a determination to win that has been lacking all season, characterised by an excellent defensive effort, particularly in the first half playing against the elements.
It was an impressive performance from the whole squad, which hopefully can be continued this week with a tough away fixture at Exmouth.