Cullompton Colts 18
Okehampton Colts 26
ALL credit to first year colts Rob Stepto, Merrick Kirby, Darcy Heard, Josh Ware and Jack Phare who came through a tough match extremely well.
Okehampton started well, putting Cullompton on the back foot. Wing Heard was tackled into touch five metres out. From the lineout, second row Stuart Bennie put pressure on Cullompton's jumper, forcing a wild tap. Okehampton hooker Brad Hudson shot through at the front to touch down, fly-half Kevin Dennis putting over a brilliant touchline conversion.
Cullompton hit back with a well worked try. Okehampton then pushed and after a period of pressure Cullompton conceded a five-metre scrum, Okehampton No 8 Rob Long picked up and Cullompton's back row could not stop Long from crashing over, Dennis again converting. Soon back in the Cullompton half, scrum half Richard Friend was causing problems for the opposition, both in attack and defence, giving Dennis plenty of room to move the ball wide.
After a ruck in midfield Long picked up, burst through the first line defence and ran 30 metres to score under the post, Dennis converting. Cullompton hit back, scoring a converted try and a penalty to make a 15-21 half-time score.
Cullompton kept the pressure on after the break Okehampton flankers Luke Crocker and Stepto were everywhere, turning over vital ball. Both sides were forced to make changes with Jack Phare coming on for Cameron Rickerby and Andrew Fishleigh for Carl Goodall.
Okehampton scored the best try of the game – the ball was moved up the middle with forwards Scott Simpson, Stuart Bennie and Merrick Kirby spreading it wide to the right, Heard being tackled ten metres out. The ball was quickly recycled and spun right across the pitch for left wing Jack Phare to score in the corner.