Western Counties West

Torquay 30

Okehampton 28

THE OKES made the journey south attempting to upset the odds with a win against a highly fancied Torquay side.

Ultimately this Okehampton side came up slightly short. However they stuck to their task manfully and had the home supporters mightily relieved to hear the final whistle.

The game was barely a minute old when the Okes shocked the home side by taking an early lead. The hosts made a mess of the kick-off and Oke pounced to snaffle possession. An astute crossfield kick from Carl Poynton dropped straight into the arms of winger Rory Honeychurch who had the simple task of dotting down. Poynton provided the additional two.

The Okes began to fall off tackles at the end of the first quarter as Torquay's sizeable front row made yardage in open field. Eventually home winger Duddleston crossed wide out for fly half Wood, whose boot was impeccable all afternoon, to add the extras.

The Okes became hesitant; and with Torquay winning quick clean ball and their backs willing to throw the ball about, the visitors were firmly on the defensive. Duddleston for the second time that profited in the wide channels. Wood, converted with aplomb.

Things started to look up for Oke in the last stanza of the opening half as their pack continued to secure decent quality line out ball. A series of five yard scrums ended in a well deserved push over try for the visitor's eight. Tom McGratton demonstrating good footballing skills to control the ball sufficiently as Oke drove across the home line at some speed. Poynton struck the conversion to bring the side in for the half time interval level at 14-14 apiece.

Torquay came out from the restart in determined mood and the Okes at times allowed them too much room and began to concede penalties as a result.

Two of these were gratefully accepted by Wood to give the hosts a six point lead. Then came a contentious moment as Oke thought they'd regained the lead. Centre Luke Honeychurch, once more carved a swathe through the middle. He opted to place the ball in his efforts to ground the try instead of diving over the line. The hosts protested and the referee disallowed the score.

The Okes' misery was then further compounded when Wood struck another long range penalty moments later to stretch the lead to nine.

Oke regrouped and mounted another attacking sortie and Poynton crossed kicked to the corner; centre Luke Honeychurch leapt and gathered smartly and was over to reduce the deficit. Poynton potted the conversion.

Torquay responded with full back Williams crossing unopposed. Wood slotted the crucial extra two to make it 30-21 to the homeside.

The Okes rallied for one last effort. Gallantly they tried to run from inside their own 22 but were cut short by a high tackle. Oke elected a scrum and after drives by the pack, scrum half Richie Friend sniped over for a try on the final whistle. Poynton once again converted and Oke went home with a very well deserved two bonus points.

n This week Okehampton are at home to Bude.