North Okes U15s 0 Crediton U15s 33 DESPITE playing highly rated opponents with several key players missing North Okes took the game to their opponents from the first tackle. Good lineout possession from Chris Humphreys and improved rucking ensured North Okes had a stream of possession. With Matt Harding playing for the first time for several weeks it was the home side who dominated the first half but turned around 12 points down. With opponents unable to break out it was poor discipline which let North Okes down with penalties given away whilst in total control. Booming free kicks put North Okes back on their own line twice and on both occasions Crediton scored against the run of play from scrappy lineout ball. At the other end a mixture of good defence and poor body positions saw a number of chances go begging. Despite a patched up back line Paul Winthorpe marshalled the defence brilliantly until he too was taken to hospital with an arm injury after a clattering tackle. After half time Crediton came more into the game and for the first time Ollie Massey-Birch, the elusive Crediton full back, came into the line and superbly scored under the posts. With Chris Pyle prominent in the loose North Okes again attacked their opponents line only to see a dropped ball with Chris Humphreys over the line. This let off a galvanised Crediton who scored a final try after a good run by the number eight with a final score which flattered their opponents and underlined the need for North Okes to be more clinical near or on their opponents line. Both Joe Taylor and Ollie Hodgeson made some cracking tackles and always made ground when given the ball. Simon Fellows at full back had an outstanding game covering superbly and making serious ground on the counterattack. Played in a great spirit with an excellent referee Richard Tidball it showed that with some self belief this team can match the best but they must take their scoring opportunities.
