Western Counties West

Okehampton Chiefs 22

Camborne 5

HAVING suffered one of their heaviest defeats at Camborne earlier in the season, trepidation was sensed within Okehampton, albeit recent results indicating a repeat was unlikely.

But the game and eventually the result was in fact handsome revenge.

From the start the Chiefs looked composed and confident. Playing up the slope and against the wind they took the initiative to the visitors and attacked instead of trying to contain them.

A solid platform created at the scrum and clean possession from the lineout enabled the Chiefs to assert themselves in the visitors? half.

They were awarded a penalty and Arnie Searle, with a strong wind in his face, made sure of the first three points.

The Chiefs were soon back on the attack and were awarded another penalty which Searle converted.

Camborne at the restart managed to turn the ball over and after good work by their captain at blind side, the wing forward provided the ball for his threequarters to find a gap in the home defence and score a try in the corner.

The Chiefs, territorially the better of the two sides, stepped up the pace and continued to pressure the visitors. After being awarded a lineout on the 22-metre line the ball was superbly taken by Steve Alford.

He presented it to his scrum half, passing to a full throttle Searle who burst through virtually unmarked to score under the posts. This he converted.

The second half was all the home side with skill and commitment displayed in every department.

The Chiefs, mindful that goal difference in the end of season relegation lottery could be critical, kicked three penalties in the second half, two of them from just inside the halfway line!

The whole team showed a real desire to win. The combination of Mason, Philpott and Alford in the back row complemented Bickle at scrum half in providing the catalyst for the team to achieve.

Drake, playing out of position at hooker, proved a big plus and Camies at centre appears to be making a class player. The return of Searle and the form he displays is the icing on the cake.

The final score left a large home crowd reflecting on an excellent performance. All credit to the visitors, they took their defeat in a sporting manner and entertained match sponsor Okehampton Glass and his guests afterwards in the clubhouse to a rousing rendition of ?Going up Camborne Hill, Coming Down?.

This week sees the Chiefs in a home league match against Withycombe kick off 2.30pm.