Western Counties West
Okehampton 23
Devonport Services 6
AN in- form Services side were the visitors this week as the Okes continued to look comfortable in the upper half of the league table. It was a slightly disjointed performance from the home side, but a useful win nonetheless.
The Okes started up the hill and on the front foot. Devonport's defence was looking solid though and it was two early Mark Scrivener penalties that gave Oke an early 6-0 lead. On a good, firm playing surface, both sides tried to play attractive rugby.
The first first try came from prolific right winger Rob Fishleigh, who demonstrated his poacher's knack. A loose ball came his way and he fly hacked ahead, the ball sat up perfectly in the narrow in-goal area and he won the foot race to dive on it for the first five pointer to make it 11-0. The conversion was missed.
Offences then came along at regular intervals and the game became slightly fragmented and lacking in fluidity. Oke were dominant at scrum time although the line out once more suffered due to lack of accuracy. The visitors were next on the scoreboard as centre Matt Anstis slotted over a solid penalty kick to reduce the arrears to make it 11-3 to the Okes at the break.
The second period had only just begun when the Okes returned to Devonport territory. A forceful scrummage effort from five metres had the Servicemen on the back foot. As number 8 Sam Turner controlled the ball towards the line the visitors infringed and a penalty try was awarded. Scrivener made no mistake with the conversion.
To their credit Services gave as good as they got in the second half and several powerful trundles from their second rower put them in dangerous positions. All they could muster from this period of pressure though was a second Anstis penalty.
Oke bodged a couple of overlap chances before they finally put the game to bed. Matt Dennis was sent clear down the left flank and he ran in the score to cap a solid if unspectacular home win.