Okehampton U16s 20

Devon B 22

AS the last match of the season at Oaklands, Devon B provided a strong side to play the home league champions.

The visitors set their marker down within two minutes by creating an overlap on the wing for Steve Worth to score an unconverted try.

Okehampton replied immediately, forcing a penalty. Andy Herrod-Taylor slotted it for three points.

Gary Sizmur and Herrod-Taylor as half backs for Okehampton cut through the opposition back line, linking well with Phil Woods and Richard Bolt in the centres who set the wingers loose.

Devon?s cover defence was outstanding and stifled all the attacks. On 17 minutes the visitors broke down the right with excellent support timing and were rewarded with a converted try for Adam Riddick.

Devon?s pack had the edge with their 6ft 7ins second row Harry Spencer mopping up any loose line out ball. Richard Bolt?s cover tackles saved tries more than once and Stewart Down at full back had plenty of work.

Devon?s next try came from the forwards with turnover ball recycled quickly for a try on the wide right by Will Pickard. Okehampton?s defence was solid for the last ten minutes of the first half with Dean Beardon, Paul Lawrence and Tom Bird looking for tackles and the first ten of the second half with subs Tom Cockram and Alex Taylor giving fresh energy to the team before Devon?s Oli Tregellis scored another good try to lead 22 -3.

Okehampton increased their efforts and using the wind and slope pinned Devon into their half. Okehampton?s pack took control in both set-piece and loose, Dan Hudson, Chris Searle and Nicky Martin winning the front row battle.

A miss-move in the centre set Bolt off as he broke through the tackles linking with Simon Cox and Sam Turner, finally being stopped illegally in the 22. Herrod-Taylor scored the three points.

Loose kicks were fielded well by the Devon back three of Tregellis, Christian Laurence and Steve Worth and run back with vigour putting the home side under pressure.

When the long kicks did reach touch Okehampton?s lineout worked well. From such a kick Matt West caught the ball and the Okehampton pack drove Devon backwards with a rolling maul.

Cox took the ball through the maul and dragged the tacklers across the line for a try. Herrod-Taylor kicked the conversion and Okehampton were 13-22 down.

Devon were still dangerous with hooker Tom Clark having surging breaks from the loose but committed tackling by the home side stopped the threats.

From one Devon attack in the home 22, successive phase play was breaking down the defence and a try was imminent, when suddenly Luke Honeychurch intercepted and raced the lengh of the field for a try under the posts. Herrod-Taylor converted and Okehampton were two points adrift .

Both sides threatened in the last minutes with Okehampton having a chance to win with a 40-metre penalty shot five minutes from time which hit the post.

It has been a glorious season for Okehampton?s U16s with a gutsy performance from all players. An emotional day as this side will never play together again as they each follow their post-16 career paths.