Devon and Cornwall League Falmouth 1st XV 14 Okehampton 1st XV 13 THE latest league match for the Okes saw them travel to Cornwall for the first time this season. It ended in defeat, despite a gutsy performance. Okehampton played into the strong breeze and driving rain from the kick off. It was a lively start and they had the better of the opening exchanges. Their pack were driving play forward with sound mauling and strong scrummaging. The only area where Falmouth had the edge was the lineouts, which was to be Okehampton?s Achilles heel for most of the match. Against the run of play, Falmouth opened the scoring. After a strange penalty award they kicked to the corner. The catch and drive line out was deployed effectively and the home number eight crossed for an unconverted score. Okehampton attacked straight from the restart, and after a lengthy bout of possession and several strong forays into the home 22 they set up a ruck just shy of the try-line. Hooker Bruce Griffiths was alert to the opportunity and he picked up smartly and dived over to level the scores. The conversion was missed and the scores were level. For the rest of the half Falmouth used the boot to try and take advantage of the wind advantage while Okehampton tried to run the ball out of defence. A couple of unnecessary penalties were conceded and the home fly half kicked them both to give his side an interval lead of 11-5. The wind had dropped slightly but Okehampton still fancied their chances of overturning the deficit. Falmouth had other ideas and began the second half on the offensive. They were rewarded with another straightforward penalty to extend their lead to nine points. This ding-dong affair was going to the wire, and Okehampton winger Lee Carey kicked a penalty after a period of sustained pressure to reduce the deficit. Okehampton were forced to make changes due to injury but were camped in the home 22. Then from a set move, winger Lee Carey ran strongly to cross wide out for an unconverted try and the lead was now a single point. Time was running out and Okehampton forced a series of five-metre scrums. They drove the home pack backwards and crossed the line twice but were adjudged by the referee to be held up over the line. The final whistle went and with it the chance of another fine away victory to add to the others already achieved this term. But there were many positives. The visitors had outscored the home side two tries to one, and had the better of a side containing eight players that only two seasons ago were playing for various sides in South West one, three leagues above Okehampton?s current level. The whole pack had a forceful 80 minutes, being on the front foot in all aspects except the lineouts. l This Saturday Oke are at home game with league leaders Newquay Hornets.
