Cornwall/Devon League
Okehampton 30
Falmouth 15
OKEHAMPTON played hosts to bottom of the table Falmouth hoping to improve on the previous week's draw with Wellington.
The Okes began slowly and Falmouth looked sharper. But Okehampton took the lead against the run of play. A speculative kick ahead was gathered by right winger David Wills. Good link up play ensued, resulting in an unconverted try on the left for winger Graham Sage.
Falmouth came back strongly and dominated possession for long periods. Okes' cause was not helped when centre Lee Carey, their outstanding player in recent weeks, left the field with an injury.
The pressure told when, from a scrum, the Falmouth scrum half broke blind and fed the full back who crossed wide out on the right for a try to level the scores.
Okes looked a shadow of the side that had impressed at home in previous weeks: their set play was ragged, their defence below par. Falmouth continued to look more committed and took the lead with another try to leave the half-time score at Okes 5, Falmouth 10.
The second half began with fans and perhaps payers, expecting the Okes to turn the slope advantage into a comfortable winning margin. But Falmouth had other ideas. Belying their lowly league position, they ran strongly and Okes defended badly. A couple of forward-looking passes and some limp tackling resulted in a try for the visitors, which again went unconverted.
With the Okes trailing 15-5 and defeat looking a distinct possibility, it was time for someone to step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Arnie Searle was that man. He started to take the ball flat and tested the previously underworked Falmouth defence. As hoped, it cracked, Searle went over and full back 'Buzz' Brimacombe converted.
The Okes could sense a victory. From a lineout, ball was recycled and after a half break by centre Camies, Brimacombe scored to regain the lead 17-15.
Falmouth fought back and their fly half inexplicably dropped the ball over the line to let Okehampton off the hook. A drop goal from Searle, lying deep in the pocket, increased the lead, then Searle again came strongly onto the crash ball to score. Brimacombe converted.
A further penalty by Brimacombe completed the scoring.
A poor performance but a win nonetheless. Okehampton will need to improve considerably to trouble their next opponents, the high- flying Mounts Bay, away from home.
Okehampton have the ability but their defence and set plays need to improve. However, often the sign of a good side is one that plays badly and still wins!