OKEHAMPTON Veterans met at Oaklands for their annual pilgrimage to the Exmouth 15-a-side veteran rugby competition. Having won the event the previous year the team were keen to do well. This year Okehampton travelled with a smaller squad with little cover for the back line up.

Okehampton were drawn to play on the second pitch, which had its advantages, marginally more grass than the main pitch and somewhat smaller.

The competition was in two leagues of four. Although one team failed to turn up the organising committee ensured all teams had at least three games. The winner of each league then played a further game as the final. The other league consisted of Crediton, Withycombe and Cullompton.

The first game for Okehampton was against Ivybridge which although competitive was one of which they remained in control. The final score after the two 15-minute halves was 17-0 in favour of the Okes. The points came from tries by Charles Ewen and Andy Dennis with two conversions and one penalty from Dave Mugglestone.

As the previous game between the other two sides the league resulted in a win for Exmouth, Okehampton had to beat them in their next game to stand any real chance of gaining the final. This was to be a tough encounter.

Playing with the conditions, down the slight slope with the breeze Okehampton struck first with a Mugglestone penalty. He followed this up with another in the second half.

With time running out and a rare defensive mistake Exmouth scored in the corner. Home hopes were dashed when the resulting conversion went wide and the referee blew for full time, the score being Okehampton 6 Exmouth 5.

Okehampton then had to face the Paignton XV. Okehampton took charge from the outset and quickly scored two tries, Colin Ewen getting one and Kev Avery getting the other, one of which was converted by Mugglestone.

Just before half-time Okehampton opted for a penalty to make the scoreline 15-0. The second half was another matter. Okehampton seemed to fall asleep and Paignton took advantage of some poor tackling to close the gap with a converted try.

Another lapse saw the advantage slip to two points as Paignton again crossed the line. Okehampton woke up and finished the last 5-10 minutes putting intense pressure on the opposition?s line.

With three wins the final loomed. Cullompton had won the other league but nobody from Okehampton had a chance to see any of their games so they were an

unknown quantity.

Okehampton took to the pitch with the possibility of taking the trophy for a second year running. There was to be no let off in this game and they ran out easy winners with a 26-0 victory over Cullompton. Phil Heard, Eggy Chowens, Colin Ewen and Max Sampson scored the tries. Dave Mugglestone added three conversions.

So it was off to receive the winners shield and it was with great satisfaction that Rob Ewen the captain picked it up on behalf off the team.

Thanks were expressed to Exmouth RFC and their committee for organising and marshalling such a great day out.

The resident doctor warned all players about the heat and to drink plenty of water, which was good advice on the day. Okehampton benefited from having the owner of Tarka Water in the team and thanked Neil Folland for providing bottled water for the day.

Squad members: Martin White, Gerry Ovens, Fred Bolt, Neil Folland, Rob Ewen, Nigel Penna, John Davey, Julian Courtier, Phil Heard, Andy Dennis, Dougie Taylor, Eggy Chowen, Andy Ewen, Kevin Avery, Perry Vallance, Phil Down, Colin Ewen, Charles Ewen, Dave Mugglestone, Max Sampson, Dave Grimes.