Western Counties West

Okehampton 48

Paignton 12

THIS was another ultimately comprehensive win for the resurgent the Okes, but the final scoreline does not reflect the significant efforts of their troubled visitors.

Paignton may be bottom of the pile after 19 consecutive defeats spanning two seasons, but they started with gusto up the slope, and had Okehampton on the back foot during the early exchanges.

The home side had to defend resolutely to keep the visitors out as they kept the ball well, going through multiple phases. The Okes were perhaps a little guilty of underestimating the South Devon side in the first quarter, but they slowly began to gain possession and test the visitor's defensive qualities.

Although Paignton were a hefty eight, the Okes had a substantial advantage at scrum time, and this was to be the catalyst for their opening score. After 15 minutes the Okes started to gain territory in the opposition 22 and were awarded a penalty. They wisely chose to scrummage, and although the scrum wheeled as it advanced, number eight Sam Turner picked up and pirouetted over the line. Fly half Carl Poynton missed the conversion.

The home side were now stringing together some decent phases of play - advancing into the Paignton 22, demonstrating good hands and support along the way. The forwards gathered in a powerful driving maul, and prop Nicky Martin crashed over around the fringes.

Paignton had plenty of size and several strong runners but badly lacked pace. As a result they were forced to tackle home winger Alex Dennis off the ball, and their winger saw yellow as punishment.

The Okes gained another scrummage in an attacking position though, and after thirty minutes it brought their third try. The scrum moved forward at such pace the ball came squirting loose, scrum half Joey Bruce was alert enough to gather the ball and pounce, to take the lead to 19 points as Poynton converted.

Okehampton were by no means fluent, and Paignton were still offering plenty, but the home side were capitalising on all their errors. This was the case again when centre Luke Honeychurch intercepted a loose pass inside the Paignton half, then cantered in for the bonus point fourth try right on the interval.

So turning around 26 points to the good, and with the bonus point already in the bag, it was almost inevitable that the homes side would start part two in a slack fashion. Home full back Gareth Espin put up a loose kick, and Paignton took up the invitation to apply considerable pressure in the home 22. They battered away, and eventually created a gap for lock forward James Boyce to plough his way over. Fly half John Clare converted.

The Okes were now becoming a little indecisive, and failing to take the opportunity to clear their lines effectively. They made changes and the fresh legs began to tell as Paignton visibly tired. Replacement back Craig Dennis showed good pace and awareness, as his half break was offloaded to namesake Alex running a good support line. He outpaced the lumbering cover defence to cross for a fine try to finally settle the last few remaining Oke nerves.

In the last quarter the Okes were down to 14 men as flanker Dean Abrams took a turn in the cooler. This could have signalled a Paignton renaissance, but it was not to be as the Okes continued to pounce on any mistakes. Replacement fly half Billy Searle made an interception and ran fully 80 yards for a try that took the score out to 38-7.

To their credit Paignton kept coming, but each attack would eventually break down and prove costly. This time, with ten minutes remaining, a ball went loose from a ruck during another Paignton sortie. Full back Gareth Espin accepted the gift, and scooted up then clubhouse touchline for Okes' seventh try. The conversion attempt from Searle struck the upright.

The last home score went to Craig Dennis, who chipped and chased his own kick ahead, showing good pace and deft hands he regathered and dived over in the corner. There was still time for Paignton to get the consolation score their efforts deserved though as Boyce powered over for his, and Paignton's, second try. The extras were missed and the referee blew for time.

This was another step on the right road for the Okes, as they slowly grow in confidence and begin to climb away from danger. Players returning are making a difference, the defence is improving and the home eight are slowly getting to grips with the new scrummage laws.

Okehampton play their next game on Saturday, November 23 away to Penryn.