Cullompton U16s 27
Okehampton U16s 38
OKES U16s trip to Cullompton for a cup game promised to be the toughest test they had so far experienced this season and so it proved.
Dean Folland scored a try for Oke soon after the start through quick thinking, though this was closely followed by a try from Cullompton.
The play went from end to end until some good work by the forwards allowed Conor Kendrew to break through the defence and score for Oke with a conversion by Liam Wilkins.
An alert Dean Folland, spotting an error by Cullompton who dropped the ball, ran through and kicked it passed the opposition and dropped on it to score. Josh Bush then scored under the posts after having picked up the ball on his own 22 - evading a number of tackles. This was converted by Liam.
The half time score of 26-5 didn't really reflect the game with possession and commitment being equal between both sides.
The second half started with Cullompton putting on all the pressure and with fast moving of the ball out along the backs they scored three tries without any answer from Oke.
The Oke forwards then picked up their game and after a ruck near the Cullompton try line Daniel Lamby Lee forced it over the line. Again Cullompton replied with another try. The last few minutes were tense until Folland scoring his third try after blocking a clearance and reacting quickest to get to the loose ball. This was again concerted by Liam who, in difficult windy conditions, converted four out of six attempts.
Praise should go to Cullompton. backs for their speed and accuracy of passing the ball out wide and to their full back for his positioning play and safe hands.
The Oke coaches were also full of praise to Dean F, Liam and Josh for their work rate and tackling.