Okehampton Colts 3 Cullompton Colts 0 TWO evenly matched teams worked hard for little reward in this closely fought battle. Cullompton started as clear favourites, having only lost to Exmouth so far this season. The Okes were missing four regular players, including their only hooker. Chris Searle made a good job of moving from prop to hook. His lineout throwing was accurate and enabled Keith Jones and Sam Turner to win good ball. Number 8 Simon Bennett was outstanding in spoiling the Cullompton lineout, always bursting through to pressurise their half-backs. Micheal Wannell had a great game at prop. The visitors ran hard at the Okes? defence, but some excellent tackling, particularly from Mark Shields and Tom Powell kept them out for the entire game. Shortly before half-time Powell, having his best game of the season, was unlucky not to score. The second half saw end to end rugby, keeping the supporters on edge throughout. Penalties proved to be the turning point of the game. The Okes elected to kick at goal on three occasions, with Ian Sercombe getting the vital three points. With ten minutes to go Cullompton elected to run two penalties in range of the posts. This was to prove their undoing. When they used a wall of men in a well-taken manoeuvre, Sam Turner read the move perfectly and flattened the bullocking Cullompton number 8 who came at full speed. The final whistle was a relief to the Okes, who thoroughly deserved their win.
