Saltash U18s 15

Okehampton U18s 34

WITH the four county players rested for the Devon U18 v Cornwall U18 game on Sunday this gave the opportunity for several young players to have a full game. Darcy Heard did well first time at scrum-half, Merrick Kirby and Mike Aylen both coped well in the second row – Kirby tidying up loose ball and carrying well, Aylen tackling superbly and cleaning out the rucks well.

Jack Phare made some excellent tackles at full-back and man of the match was blind side flanker Luke Crocker.

Rob Long scored off a 10-metre catch and drive from a lineout. Prop Scott Simpson had a 40-metre charge from just inside his own half, quick ruck ball was spun right across the pitch for wing Carl Goodall to score his second try out wide.

Goodall also put Callum Ausden away for a 30-metre run in. Centre Jake Chisholm scored from a blind side move and fly-half Kevin Dennis scored his final try on a blind side break and converted two.

Stuart Bennie hooking, Tom McGratton second row, Richard Friend scrum-half and center Rory Honeychurch, who came on in the second half, all played well in the Devon U18s' 16–9 win over Cornwall on Sunday.

Okehampton U15s 32

Plymstock U15s 26

TWO evenly matched sides served up an exciting game.

Okehampton opened the scoring with a penalty from Matt Johns and went further ahead as a Lee Hughes try was converted by Johns.

Plymstock showed what they were capable of and an unconverted try brought them back into the game.

The visitors showed excellent support play and offloading but the Okes defence stood firm and they increased their lead as Sam Cooper dived in from close range. Okehampton had further chances as good runs from Ollie Kirby and Nathan Abrams were halted just short of the line.

Plymstock reduced the deficit with a converted try before half-time and gained the lead early in the second half with another.

The lead continued to change hands with an opportunist try for Graham Bennie and a well timed run from Matt Johns sandwiching a try for Plymstock. A penalty from Johns left Plymstock needing a converted try for the win but some excellent goal-line defence held them at bay and Okehampton secured the win.

Okehampton U11s 45

Barnstaple U11s 0

THIS was a fantastic second game of the season. On a day when it almost seemed too hot for rugby, the team showed great inter-play through the field, with some great rucking and mauling.

Some impressive pop-passing meant the opposition were struggling and Okehampton kept the pressure up through both halves. Sam Stratton had a very good game and the whole team showed a good all-round performance.

Okehampton U9s 0

Barnstaple U9s 10

OKEHAMPTON produced an improved performance to suffer a narrow defeat against their North Devon visitors.

Strong running from the impressive Gregory Daniel created chances, Leon Horne again showed pace and willingness to counter, and the forceful Ethan Hoggins was in irrepressible form in attack and defence. However the ability to make the final scoring pass was missing.

In the second game the Okes were defeated 25-10. Man of the second match was Joseph Stratton, who scored two fine tries by demonstrating that running at gaps rather than the opposition is the way forward.

This week the side plays hosts to local rivals Tavistock, hoping for their first victory of the season.

Okehampton U8s v Barnstaple U8s

First game: 3-3. Second game: 6-8

MID October and a glorious day to play the first home match of the season. The unseasonable weather tested the fitness of both sides, with the matches closely fought in both attack and defence.

It seemed training was paying off when Okehampton, despite forceful tagging from Barnstaple, played good flowing rugby which ended in Nathan Tomkins sprinting to the line for the first try.

Okehampton continued with determination and kept up their excellent tagging only for Barnstaple to equal the score. The end of the first half saw Okehampton stretch away to 3-1. Some fresh legs came on after half-time and despite a valiant defence, Barnstaple broke away to score twice more and level the match.

Final score: Okehampton 3 tries (Nathan Tomkins, Imogen Ogborne, Kai Middleton) - Barnstaple 3 tries

The second match continued with great passing by the young Okehampton team, making it exciting rugby to watch for all the enthusiastic supporters. Despite trailing at half time, they kept their focus and came back strongly to score four tries in the second half, with a brilliant individual run by Maddie Arden. This was not quite enough to catch Barnstaple's lead from the first half and the game ended 6-8.

Tries for Okehampton: Daniel Turney, Maddie Arden(2), Nathan Tomkins (3) - enthusiastically supported during the match by Alex, Imogen, Kai, Liam, Brad, Leon, Tom, Will and Liam.

Thanks were expressed to the referee who did an excellent job with fair play all round, despite this being his first match.

ANOTHER superb team performance saw Okehampton U7s win two matches and draw the other.

Okehampton 6, Barnstaple 1 — Fine teamwork saw Okehampton run in six tries from Joshua Burgoyne (2), Ben Wharton (2), Will Cunningham (1) and a debut try for Angus Haygarth.

Okehampton 3, Barnstaple 3 — A closer game as Okehampton tried out some new players. Great performances from debut players Harry and Jake Laing-Taylor. Okehampton tries came from James Stevens, Ben Wharton and Joshua Burgoyne.

Okehampton 5, Barnstaple 4 — A fantastic team performance by Okehampton. Good support for the ball carrier and superb tagging in defence saw Okehampton keep Barnstaple out. Tries came from Joshua Burgoyne (2), Daniel Tompkins (1), Charlie Glanville (1), and great support from Saul Holliday saw him rewarded with his first try of the season.

Okehampton's performance and discipline were the key factors in some excellent teamwork over the three matches, which were well supported by family and friends.

NORTH Okes played their first contact game against Sidmouth. The first match, which North Okes lost by six tries to nil, saw the players revel in the contact game.

Each member of the team, captained by Ethan, all put in good tackles and kept up with the fast play from the strong Sidmouth pack. Sidmouth monopolised play and gained control near the try line.

However, the Oke boys showed stamina and strength with good drives by Greg and quick moves by Jack, Leon and Corey with good support from Edward, Angus, Joseph and Adam.

In the second game North Okes lost by seven tries to one. Captained by Jack the team worked well and made some good tackles. Olly Ardan scored North Okes try, finished off a run after being supported by Max, Josh, Charlie, Rion and Alfie.