Okehampton Seconds 38

Withycombe Seconds 12

IN their first home fixture of the year Okehampton Seconds entertained Withycombe in a Devon Merit Table match, defending a run of six straight wins.

Playing up the slope in the first half, Okes began by attacking at every opportunity with good ball retention and aggressive running.

It was only a matter of time before Withycombe's defence was broken down, leading to a try by Dom Vanderdorpe, his first for the club.

Further pressure led to an interception try by Graham Down, an individualist try by Dave Willis — making a welcome return after a spell Down Under — and a well-worked one for Gary Carey. All three were converted by acting skipper, Mark Curtis.

Okehampton started the second half where they had left off and scored further tries through Paul Smaridge and a second for Down, converted by Mark Curtis.

With a comfortable lead of 38 points the home side went off the boil and relaxed, to such an extent that Withycombe scored two tries in the final ten minutes.

After completing a decisive seventh victory the Seconds now look forward to another home Merit Table match against Paignton on Saturday.

Okehampton Thirds 22

Wessex Seconds 12

THE Acorns' first match of the New Year saw a number of changes to the team that last played. Thanks go to Colin Ewen who took up the whistle for the first time in ten years to enable the game to be played.

Okehampton started well, playing down the slope. A scrummage on the oppositions' line led to the first try, a pushover touched down by blind-side flanker Dougie Taylor. Okehampton kept up the pressure for the first 20 minutes and an excellent Acorns try came from Matt Evans.

Okehampton then took their foot off the gas. Wessex picked up their game and were rewarded with a fine try. This was duly converted.

After a stern talking to from guest player Iain Thomas the home side gained composure and worked their way back into the opposition's 22. An infringement by the visitors led to the ball going to Thomas who touched down under the posts. With the regular place kicker out through injury the duty went to Stewart Cann who slotted this one over.

After a series of rucks and mauls Okehampton worked themselves up to the Wessex try line and were unlucky not to get their second pushover try. From the resulting scrum on the 10-metre line number 8 Rob Ewen drove through two tacklers to make the line.

This try quietened Wessex and even a try in the last ten minutes was not much of a threat.

The final five minutes were scrappy as tired legs led to some 'lying over the ball'.