North Okes U13s 28
Crediton U13s 0
THIS was an excellent display of team work by the North Okes' boys. The forwards scrummaged and rucked well and the backs were confident in moving the ball out wide.
Ryan Lee proved a proficient scrum half for North Okes and Josh Bickley picked up off the back of the scrums and made some good runs up the blind side to secure the opening try which he ran in under the posts; Billy Searle duly converted. Despite an immense amount of pressure that was the only score of the first half.
Crediton came out in the second half determined to score and put North Okes under a lot of pressure which they did not bow to by tackling with commitment. Callum Pillivant, Jake Phillips and Zach Middleton for North Okes worked well at the breakdown and Jonny Aylen laid himself on the line on more than one occasion. Luke Simmons and Giles Heard worked well together in the centre.
The second half saw Luke Liversidge return after injury and he ran up the wing to score a try. This was closely followed by two further tries by Billy Searle and another try by Josh Bickley. Billy converted three.
Tavistock RFC U12 5
Ivybridge U12s 56
A POWERFUL Ivybridge team proved too strong for the home side, running out comfortable winners in an entertaining game at Sandy Park. Despite the difference in the scoreline Tavistock were not overwhelmed by the visitors and put on a good display against a well drilled team with superior size and strength up front.
Spirited defence from Tavistock saved them from conceding an early score with good tackling from both backs and forwards keeping the opposition at bay. However, it was only a matter of time before the pressure told and the Ivybridge forwards linked well with the backs for a try to take the lead. Against the run of play Tavistock struck back with a well taken score from Tom Jackman after fine running by James Perring.
However, this was to prove to be the only score that the home side managed as the visitors became more dominant. With limited ball to work with Tavistock were always on the back foot and put in countless tackles to stem the tide of the Ivybridge forward surges. Tavistock's Will Slater and Daniel and Matthew Dobie continued to knock back their larger opponents as they defended their line well. Scrum half Adam Williams also had a fine game making several try saving tackles.
Yet although the hard work in defence was evident throughout Tavistock could not hold out and a steady run of tries came the visitors' way in the second half, as the constant tackling took its toll.
Ivybridge showed their strength up front running in tries from close range on a number of occasions and also worked the ball well across the back line to cross in the corner.
When possession did come their way in their opponents' half Tavistock were unable to make the penetrating break to bring the scores closer, or lost control of the ball before managing to cross the Ivybridge line.
Tavistock U11s 28
Ivybridge U11s 19
TAVISTOCK probably regard Ivybridge as one of the strongest sides at this age level, so to beat them at home was a massive achievement. Ivybridge were strong in many departments, not least the scrum, so to win two scrums against the head was excellent.
In the backs the kicking was in danger of becoming overused, but it seemed to pay dividends. At half-time Ivybridge were five points up, deservedly following some first- rate driving. Tavistock's line worked well, with Charlie leaping.
The second half saw Tavistock run in four unconverted tries. The key to this was great hooking from Morgan and Alex in the scrum, quick heel to fast hands from Mathew to Harry. The stand-off passed on to the centres and wings, who scored in the corner. There were tries from Bert, Will, James and Harry. Tackle of the match was from James. Ivybridge never gave up and scored twice in the dying minutes.
Okehampton U11s 54
Bude U11s 7
PLAYING on a heavy pitch the young Okes started better and forced Bude back deep into their half. Following some good runs from Patrick Ewen, Callum Hughes and Liam Bonnington there came tries from Brandon Horn (5), Brad Curtis (2) and Reece Peacock. The Okes' Rowan Pillivant scored Bude's only try, while playing for the opposition in the second half.
Okehampton U10s 30
Bude U10s 5
AFTER last week's disappointing performance a virtually full strength team took to the field and bounced back with a well deserved win against a determined Bude side.
The first period started slowly with Ross Davison breaking the stalemate with a try off the back of a scrum. Loose tackling let Bude straight back with a well worked try. Joe Mawle scored the next try and strong tackling by Johnny King and Ross Davison kept Bude to one score.
The second period was also tight with the Okes' Johnny King catching from the line-out and driving over for an excellent try. Okehampton raised their game in the final period to produce some super rugby with Finn Fallon-Clark and Joe Mawle scoring further tries.
A storming run from Daniel Thorne set up the final try scored by Johnny King to round off a much improved performance by the whole Okes' team.
Tavistock RFC U10s 10
Ivybridge U10s 10
IN the first of two matches, the visitors took an early lead, scoring from the kick-off, followed moments later by a second well run try. Tavistock defended well, denying the visitors the chance to score from the 5m lineout several times. Despite the having the uphill disadvantage, the Tavistock boys dug deep and the much lighter Tavistock forwards held their own and sometimes got the better of the heavier Ivybridge pack.
The home side maintained territory in the opposition's half but were only denied a score by the formidable Ivybridge defence. After half-time it was a determined Tavistock that came back on. Ivybridge never looked liked scoring and a try early on in the half from scrum-half George and another in the last minute from Ben, saw the scores tied.
In the second match of the day, Ivybridge established an early lead scoring several tries in quick succession, but the dogged determination of the home team, led to well deserved tries for outside centre Alex and fly half Callum. Final score, 10-45
Tavistock U10s 10
Devonport Services U10s 10
LAST week in what was to be a fiercely contested match, both teams attacked and defended well, with neither team able to get the edge over their opponents. Tavistock established a first half lead, with two excellent tries from forwards Rory and Josh. Devonport came back to equalise in the second half.
Okehampton U9s 25
Bude U9s 0
OKEHAMPTON U9s travelled to North Cornwall with their largest contingent of players for several weeks and continued their fine run of victories with this dominant performance.
All 12 players played their part in an abrasive match where several injuries occurred as a result of forceful running and strong tackling. The scoring was led by leading scorer Leon Horne who added to his growing tally of tries with four more. The other score came from the returning Gregory Daniel who forced his way over from short range.
This was a great defensive effort with special mention going to Gregory Daniel, who put in countless big hits and try saving tackles. He was well supported by strong defence from Ethan Hoggins and Adam Wonnacott.
Okehampton U9s 5
Bude U9s 0
FIVE minutes after the first game there was just enough time for Joseph Stratton to seal another victory with an impressive length of the pitch effort as he eluded all would be tacklers for a fine individual score. All the Okehampton side contributed fully in another full blooded encounter.
l PLAYING a mini tournament at Exeter Chiefs, against the Chiefs and Saracens, saw Okehampton U7s split into two teams, both of which were undefeated in all their games. Played over five mini matches, the results were as follows: Okes 6 Chiefs 3; Okes 12 Saracens 8; Okes 7 Chiefs 3; Okes 8 Saracens 6; Okes 9 Saracens 6.
Okehampton try scoring tally throughout the tournament: Joshua Burgoyne (8), Will Cunningham (6), James Close (5), Harry Laing-Taylor (3), George Cox, Matthew Denning, Charlie Glanville (3), Ben Wharton (4), Josh Parsons (4), Daniel Wonnacott (2), Daniel Tomkins (4) and James Stevens. There was good running from Saul Holliday, Cole Pengelly, Jake Laing-Taylor and David Smith, supporting the above try-scorers.
Both Okehampton teams showed great tagging and fast off-loading of the ball in all five games, resulting in some convincing performances by all the players. The matches were well supported by family and friends, which was much appreciated by the Okehampton coaches.