Devon and Cornwall League Okehampton 1st XV 30 Perranporth 1st XV 7 IT'S a cliché, but this really was the classic game of two halves. Okehampton started brightly against their lowly Cornish visitors, and after only half an hour the game was already over as a contest. But a combination of poor weather and poor decisions made the second half a drab affair. The Okes played up the slope and were soon on the attack. Dominating territory they took an early lead with an unconverted try from centre Lee Carey. Then further home pressure brought another three points from a simple penalty, again scored by the returning Carey. The weather and pitch were both good at this point and straight from the kick off Okehampton struck once more. It turned out to be one of the best tries seen at the showfield this season. Receiving the kick off in their own 22,Okehampton spread the ball through the backs and full back Gareth Espin entered the line. He spotted a gap and sped through it, took play into the opposition half and fired a long pass out to winger Martin Holgate who stepped inside the last defender and crossed for a fine try. Again the score was unconverted, but Okehampton had sped into a 13-0 lead and were playing good expansive rugby. The home side stretched their lead when from a kick ahead, a foot race was won by Lee Carey. Showing a good turn of pace he gathered a tricky bouncing ball and slid in for another score. The conversion was missed and the lead was now 18 points. The Cornishmen had barely threatened, and although bulky up front, their backs offered little. The game was not yet half an hour old when Okehampton fly half Brimmacombe jinked over to stretch the home side's lead to 23-0. The game was virtually won and Okehampton took their foot off the gas. The visitors elected for a five-yard scrum for a penalty infringement and drove forward. The scrum disbanded with Okehampton retreating and the referee had no option but to award a penalty try. The half-time whistle came and Okehampton had a useful 23-7 lead with use of the slope in the second half. The second half was poor. Okehampton made changes and the rain came down. The visitors raised their efforts and controlled the majority of possession. Too often Okehampton took the wrong option when they did gain possession, and failed to use their backs and exploit the clear advantage they had outside. But Perranporth never looked like crossing the whitewash, and in the last few minutes Okehampton managed to string together enough passes to enable fly half Brimmacombe to cross for his second try. Winger Holgate took over the kicking duties and added a well struck conversion. Okehampton now led 30-7. The game ended shortly after and although a valuable two points were gained, they let their opponents off the hook in the second period. This week a tough encounter against high flying Cullompton awaits. The spectre of relegation has now been exorcised and hopefully Okehampton can relax and play to their full potential.
