Okehampton U16s 18 Bideford U16s 10 IN ideal conditions, Okehampton chose to play against the breeze and slope in the first half. Early exchanges saw the large and powerful Bideford pack dominate with much of the first quarter seeing the home side camped in their own half. The Okes forwards weathered the initial onslaught and started to win much needed possession. The game plan of moving the ball wide and away from the Bideford pack began to pay dividends and having worked their way into an attacking position they were awarded a penalty which Liam Walker converted to put them in the lead. The visitors came back with a vengeance and camped themselves in the 22. After excellent defence from their hosts, Bideford managed to suck in the defence and scored when they moved the ball wide to allow the wing to cross for a converted try. Having allowed Bideford to clear their lines, the Okes were duly punished when the visitors converted a penalty to extend their lead to 3?10 at half time. The second half started with a bang for the Okes who, having chased down the kick off, turned over possession and spun the ball to John Grayling who was thwarted from scoring by some last-ditch tackles. Tactically, the Okes were beginning to gain the upper hand. Luke Wonnacott who switched to fly half at half time, following Doug Willetts? withdrawal with a dead leg, started to spin the ball wide where Grayling, Walker and Wawman were stretching the defence. The Okes eventually got their just rewards when Wonnacott came on the burst to score near the posts which Walker converted. Constant pressure was beginning to take its toll on the visitors who began to vent their frustration. A resulting penalty saw Walker kick the Okes into the lead. Okehampton continued to keep up the pressure with excellent loose play from the forwards keeping the ball alive in the tackle . Bideford cleared their lines and broke up field but the Okes re-grouped and another searching kick downfield saw Harding follow up and tackle the full back. The ball was spun wide for Walker to cross the line for the final score. Man of the match: Phil Harding. l The coaches and squad congratulate John Radnor and Doug Willetts on their selection for Devon U16 squad for the forthcoming series of county fixtures. This Sunday, Sidmouth at home. Newton Abbot U15s 14 Okehampton U 15s 36 OKEHAMPTON dominated the first 15 minutes ? the forwards? rucking was excellent, the mauls being driven forward, and the back row support was everywhere, no 8 Rob Long scoring in the corner after a backs move. Wing Jake Chisholm scored in the corner after centres Tom Browne and Carl Poynton pulled in the defence. Newton Abbot then scored a converted try. Good driving forward play by Luke Crocker, Stuart Bennie, Scott Simpson and Long created the opportunity for quick passes by Richard Friend and Tom McGratton to put Poynton into the corner to score. In the second half, the forwards continued to supply good ball for the backs. Poynton?s controlled kick bounced favourably for wing Bobby Hunt to score, Poynton converting. Long picked up at the back of a ruck, found the gap close in and ran 30 metres to score, Browne converting. Inside centre Browne then put a high kick over the Newton Abbot defence, wing Dan Gill chased and caught the ball on the 22. As the two defending players went into tackle he popped the ball back inside to Carl Goodall to score, Browne converting. This week against Sidmouth to be played at North Tawton.
