Okehampton Chiefs 11

Bude 16

THE second round of the Powergen Junior Vase provided a lacklustre performance from both sides.

Bude, who play in the same league, have recruited well and with the involvement of several ex-Launceston players are now a very strong side.

The visitors opened their account with a try from ex-Launceston number 8 Chris Hammond who from a lineout managed to secure the ball and drive over.

The Chiefs started to take the game to Bude up the slope but with a strong wind behind. Good securing of set play from scrum and lineout enabled the Chiefs to steadily move within sight of the try-line only to be denied twice by good defending, although the referee spotted players in defence offside on both occasions and Lee Carey slotted the two penalties.

Bude came back strongly and through their elusive scrum half, together with some poor defending, ran at the home side then moved the ball through several hands to allow the young Barry Frost to cross in the corner.

From the restart Okehampton secured the ball and after a series of good rucks where ball retention was outstanding B J Chapman was released on the wing and galloped through the defence to score.

Soon after, in a repeat of the previous try, Chapman found himself in space and ran up the wing only to have been judged in touch by the away team's linesman. He made his ruling right under the noses of the core element of supporters who from their reaction felt the wrong decision had been made! Half time 11-10.

In the second half playing down the slope the Chiefs never really took the initiative and instead surrendered the advantage to Bude who seized the moment and put on extreme pressure. Only resolute defence avoided the try.

But being over eager, the Chiefs gave away two penalties, one after another and both were converted.

With time running out the Chiefs mounted wave after wave of attacks but could not breach the Bude defence.

In the dying minutes with a try needed and after a terrific display of retention and recycling of the ball with an overlap advantage the Chiefs took the wrong option and duly knocked the ball on — the visitors cleared their lines and kicked for touch to end the game.