Devon & Cornwall League

Okehampton 1st XV 3

Crediton 1st XV 11

OKEHAMPTON lost the toss and played with the slope first up. The opening exchanges were tight and fiercely contested. The pattern for the game was set in the first quarter, as the visitors' experienced pack took complete control in the set plays and were also very efficient in the loose exchanges. Okehampton found it difficult to win line-out possession and were put under pressure in the set scrum. The game became bogged down in midfield for long periods. Crediton ultimately had control of possession and looked comfortable up the slope without really threatening to cross the home try line.

Okehampton took the lead through a well struck Lee Carey penalty on a brief foray into Crediton territory. The Okehampton backs showed glimpses of their attacking threat but the hosts were unable to mount any sustained attacks in opposition territory and Crediton were not put under any real pressure.

Crediton's forwards secured plentiful possession but their backs were unable to penetrate the home defence. They did miss a couple of kickable penalties during the first period; but the last chance of the first half came Okehampton's way. Nearing the interval Oke managed to control a scrum and flanker Simon Cox broke blind from a set play. Unfortunately the pass went to ground and that brief passage of play pretty much summed up how Oke's afternoon went.

During the second half Crediton's pack continued to monopolise the ball and as Okehampton made changes so the visitors' dominance in the scrum increased. They drove Okehampton off their own ball and took several strikes against the head. Crediton missed another kickable chance as Okehampton clung onto their slender three nil lead as the match entered the final quarter. From nowhere, Okehampton conjured up a great chance to extend their lead and perhaps turn the game their way. A quick break out and a great cross kick infield from scrum half Joey Bruce looked to have created a certain score but unfortunately the ball was dropped.

Okehampton gave away a penalty after trying to drive around the fringes. Crediton kicked to the corner, camped on Okehampton's try line and the visitors' pack drove over for an unconverted score that their overall dominance merited.

Okehampton gave away two penalties that were successfully converted, as the indiscipline that had been apparent in spells throughout the afternoon's performance was finally punished. The whistle went and the visitors had completed the double over the home side and strengthened their own promotion chances considerably.

Okehampton meet local rivals Tavistock for a real four pointer this Saturday.

Also , this Sunday sees the club's progress being rewarded by hosting the prestigious Tamar Cup fixture between the senior Devon and Cornwall county teams for the first time in its history. Please come along and enjoy this landmark fixture.