Western counties west

Okehampton 22

Tiverton 20

OKEHAMPTON went into this game with a point to prove following last week's humiliating defeat away to Exmouth.

Still staring relegation in the face, lying third from bottom with four games to play in the league, the home side knew that only a win and two points would be acceptable.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Okehampton started well with some intelligent kicking deep into Tiverton's half, forcing the visitors to run the ball out of trouble. This led to a number of penalties within kicking range which Searle slotted to stretch the lead to 9-0.

The visitors got back into the game with a penalty of their own before Lee Pengelly touched down for Okehampton at the end of a well worked back's move, Searle cutting into the line from full-back and feeding Pengelly for the easiest of run-ins.

With a comfortable lead, the home side relaxed, allowing Tiverton a try in the closing moments of the half. Given that the second half was to be played up the slope and into a strong head wind, this left Okehampton with a difficult half, changing ends at 17-8.

Tiverton started the second half as they had finished the first, piling on the pressure which resulted in a converted try from some good loose play, leaving the visitors just two points adrift at 17-15.

Okehampton's desire to record a victory kicked in with an excellent try which began deep in the opponents' half. Andrew Murry carried the ball over the halfway line on the right hand side of the pitch before being brought down by the Tiverton defence. The ball was recycled quickly by the pack and spun left down the line to winger Dave Wills who showed his opposite number a clean pair of heels to touch down in the corner.

Tiverton responded with a try of their own, leaving Okehampton ten minutes to keep the visiting side at bay. They did so, despite a late penalty score that would have lost them the game, the ball, fortunately from Okehampton's point of view, drifting beneath the bar.

It was a much needed win for Okehampton at a desperate time but highlighted a number of areas that need to be worked on. The scrummage was weak all afternoon and with so little ball won from the set piece, the final result was a credit to the side's defensive efforts.

This week sees the longest trip of the season with an away fixture at St Just.