Okehampton U14s 26
Sidmouth U14s 7
CHOOSING to play against a strong wind in the first half, Okehampton faced a side of considerable physical presence, yet despite the size and weight disadvantage they took the initial advantage.
But Sidmouth?s defence held firm with Okehampton often frustrated in their attempts to turn pressure into points.
The deadlock was broken after 15 minutes when the ball was spun wide to winger Liam Walker who outstripped the defence to score close to the posts with Rob North converting. Walker has proved a valuable addition to the side since joining in January.
The back row of Richard Barrington, Luke Wonnacott and Phil Harding were proving a real handful, Barrington turning over possession on a regular basis.
After several phases of efficient rucking, scrum half John Radnor broke from a scrum to feed his forwards. Aggressive driving saw prop Paul Thomas cross the line for Okehampton?s second try which North converted.
The visitors upped their game in the second half, but Okehampton weathered the onslaught and forced play downfield. Scrum half Radnor saw a gap from the base of a scrum on halfway and sprinted to just short of the line. After a period of play camped in the Sidmouth 22, indiscipline from the visitors allowed fly-half Rob North to take a quick penalty and force his way over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Okehampton continued to dominate and Barrington again stole the ball from a maul to lead his forward colleagues in a great sequence of pick up and drive play that saw them awarded a scrum in the Sidmouth 22. Number 8 Luke Wonnacott picked up from the base of the scrum and broke through cover to score under the posts for North to convert.
Sidmouth showed great spirit and were rewarded with a converted try in the last minute.
Man of the match: Richard Barrington.