Colts Merit

Okehampton Colts 6

Ivybridge Colts 6

THIS fixture at Oaklands brought together the top two teams in the table. After the initial exchanges the visitors enjoyed territorial advantage as well as securing the majority of possession with turnovers in both loose play and the line out.

Sensing that they needed to make best use of the slope in the first half Ivybridge threw everything at the Okes and for a 20 minute period were camped in the attacking third of the field. The Okehampton defence was superb and held firm with the visitors only reward being three points from a penalty after 20 miniutes of play.

Gradually the hosts started to generate some pressure of their own forcing their way into visitors half with some well executed forward drives. Gradually the balance of play was beginning to swing ; the lineout started to function and now it was Ivybridge's turn to soak up the pressure . The Okes got their just reward and Sam Ewen hit a well struck penalty to level the scores. Unfortunately shortly before half time winger Luke Dennis had to leave the field with a broken collar bone which saw Sam Vincent enter the fray.

Okehampton started the second half in confident mood using the slope to good advantage and continuing to keep the visitors on the back foot with a strong performance from the forwards . The Okes restricted the width the dangerous Ivybridge backs had to work in and any attempts to rest the initiative away from the hosts were being snuffed out with centres Matt Johns and Henry Cooper outstanding in the defensive role.

Ten minutes into the second period the Okes suffered another injury blow when Matt Johns sustained a broken leg.

After the restart the visitors caught the re-jigged Okehampton back line off-side with their fly half slotting the penalty to put the south Devon side back in the lead.

The Okes response was immediate. A succession of pick up and drive play saw play driven into the Ivybridge 22 and a final drive saw Oke lock Chris Courtier drive over the line - only for the referee to disallow the try as held up over the line. Eventually the Okes were rewarded with Ewen scoring from a penalty to level the scores.

This was a terrific game of the highest intensity between two good sides of contrasting styles. The result sees the Okes maintain their position at the top of the table. All of the squad and coaches wish Matt Johns and Luke Dennis a speedy recovery from their injuries.