ON a sunny Good Friday the Okehampton squad gathered at Oaklands to travel to the third annual Exmouth Good Friday veterans' tournament.
They were a mixture of current players from all the senior teams and others who had 'hung their boots up' a decade ago.
Okehampton entered the competition two years ago and were runners-up.
The 29 players assembled at Exmouth Rugby Club, the majority having come on the coach, others in cars and many brought their families. The draw was the first thing on the agenda between the six invited teams, Exmouth, Ivybridge, Crediton, Paignton, North Petherton and Okehampton.
Okehampton were in the league against Exmouth and North Petherton on the main pitch, an advantage for Okehampton as they were able to watch both their league opponents play one another before their own encounters. North Petherton, the first game, were the weakest side, they were more of a Barbarian side having borrowed players from the other participants. An Okehampton team was selected for round one by Rob Ewen the captain.
Each game was 15 minutes each way with the opportunity to substitute up to five players a game. After the teams in each of the two leagues had played each other, the winner of one league would play the runner-up of the other and vice-versa to make the semi-finals. The losers of each league would then play for the wooden spoon with the final being the winners of each semi-final.
Okehampton's first game saw them take a while to settle. For the first five minutes it was quite even, especially in tight play. The maroon and orange strip edged into a lead after great linking between the back row and scrum-half. All three back row players getting on the score sheet, Dougie Taylor (2), Eggy Chowen (2) and Phil Heard. Unfortunately, Martin Cox, on the way to scoring a fine try, pulled his hamstring and was unable to take a further part for the remainder of the day.
Rob Ewen scored the final try of the opening round, four conversions took the final score to Okehampton 43, North Petherton 0.
Exmouth, the next game, was going to be a tougher prospect. Unlike the previous game it was to be the backs that scored the decisive points after superb tight play in lineout and scrum provided good ball for the backs. Handling of the ball, quick thinking and decision making of the threequarters was entertaining to watch.
Okehampton scored twice before the opponents got their hands on the ball for any length of time. A defensive error led to an Exmouth try late in the first half.
Okehampton responded with two tries in the second period and only a late try from the hosts gave the scoreline respectability. Try scorers were Arnie Searle (2), Charles Ewen and Reg Wonnacott with one conversion to make the score Okehampton 22, Exmouth 14.
Safely into the finals the result of the other league was the next concern, to see who Okehampton would play as runner-up, this, after beating Crediton, was to be Ivybridge.
A change in the front row was required to give Ken Pollard a rest as the only recognised hooker in the side, Ken suffering a back strain was replaced by flanker Phil Heard and the loose head prop was another flanker, Rob Ewen.
The Okehampton pack showed its dominance driving the opposition in set piece. It was a great start to the semi-final as Okehampton scored within the first minute in the corner. Two more tries followed. Okehampton spun the ball wide with the back row getting quickly to the break down to secure ball for the next phase.
Only a consolation try at the end got Ivybridge on the scoreboard. Tries by Toby Daniel (2), Colin Ewen (2), Reg Wonnacott, Graham Phenna and one conversion gave Okehampton the 32 advantage to Ivybridge 5.
The other semi-final between Paignton and the hosts Exmouth was to be a tight game. The decision on who would play Okehampton was to be made on points difference and this meant Exmouth would be the opponent.
It was to be nearly a replica Okehampton side that took on Exmouth. Again, forwards dominated possession setting up excellent opportunities for the backs and only desperate tackling from Exmouth kept the points off the board.
Tries by the threequarters started with Greg Vick going blind and finding a gap that was not apparent from the sideline
The outcome never looked in doubt as before time Arnie Searle and Colin Ewen both crossed for Okehampton.
Never giving up the fight a tired Exmouth scored a fine try to make sure Okehampton could not relax until the final whistle. So the final ended Okehampton 15, Exmouth 5.
The awards were presented and an elated Okehampton squad made their way to the bar for well-deserved refreshments.
Squad members: Martin White, Gerry Ovens, Fred Bolt, Ken Pollard, Rob Ewen, Gordon Crouch, Ben Stevens, John Davey, Keith Lee, Graham Phenna, Dave Harwood, Phil Heard, Max Sampson, Dougie Taylor, Eggy Chowen, Andy Ewen, Perry Vallance, Phil Down, Adam Holiday, Greg Vick, Mark Curtis, Joe Fewings, Colin Ewen, Reg Wonnacott, Sion Taylor, Charles Ewen, Martin Cox and Arnie Searle.