Western Counties West League

Withycombe 11

Okehampton 13

AFTER the disappointing setback last week, it was vital the Okes quickly got their first win in Western Counties with an away victory against perennial strugglers Withycombe.

On a beautiful, sunny afternoon at Raleigh Park the Okes began by playing up the slope and quickly got into their stride as backs and forwards linked well in the first quarter. The Okes had a plentiful supply of ball at this point and were creating gaps all over the pitch as the home side struggled to contain them.

All was looking good as the visitors opened up a ten point lead. Firstly, fly half Gary Sizmur slotted over a well struck penalty goal.

The Okes began to dominate possession and territory. They were battering away at the line when the ball was moved through the backs and full back Gareth Espin was brought into the attack on a neat switch move; he shot through the defence and dotted down behind the uprights to touch down. Sizmur successfully converted.

Okehampton were well on top and were solid in the scrums with young Tom McGratton providing lovely clean line out possession. The home side looked to move the ball wide as both sides looked to attack through their backs.

The visitors created and spurned several clear try scoring opportunities during this period as wrong options and occasional 'white line fever' got the better of them.

Then, suddenly things started to go awry for the Okes. The home side enjoyed a good spell resulting in their left winger touched down in the corner. The conversion was missed, but at 10-5 it was game on and the hosts tails were up. The Okes saw out the rest of the half without managing to produce any of the good rugby they had dished out in the first 20 minutes.

The second period got under way with Okehampton enjoying the slope advantage. However, they were being outfought by the hosts who took the game to them as Oke struggled to use the balls that they did win, and failed to pin back Withycombe by use of the slope. The home side kicked a penalty goal to reduce the arrears and Oke were visibly twitchy and the game became a scrappy one between two sides struggling to put any phases of play together.

Both teams made changes as injuries took their toll and the hosts were soon back in the ascendancy. A penalty resulted in the Withycome stand off putting the home side into a lead that in the opening quarter would have seemed impossible. It was time for the Okes to awake from their slumbers.

Okehampton started to improve and managed to get into their opponent's 22 with less than ten minutes remaining. A penalty finally came and fly half Sizmur showed plenty of mettle to slot it through the uprights.

More sloppy tackling gave the hosts a couple of chances. However a foot in touch and some final, improved defensive resistance saw the visitors home.

l On Saturday the firsts have their first home league match of the season against fellow promoted side Penryn. The club ask for people to come along to add their support and enjoy the Okes' 125th anniversary celebrations.