Bideford U16s 24

Okehampton U16s 31

MEETINGS between the teams are usually competitive and this game was no exception. Bideford opened the scoring with a fine individual try from one of their speedy backs.

Okehampton struck back soon after with George Dickinson finding space down the wing to dot down. A loose pass allowed the home side to score an opportunist try and regain the lead but some excellent forward pressure from Oke, including one of many big carries from player of the match Will Risdon, set up Tom Stevens to burst through and score beneath the posts. Ewan Northcott converted to get Oke right back into the game.

From the kick-off, Okehampton secured the ball well and George D gathered just outside his 22. Using his strength he handed-off tacklers superbly before accelerating down the wing to score a superb try and give the visitors the lead.

Despite losing a couple of players to injury at half-time and a reshuffle in formation, Okehampton’s confidence remained high and another good forward-driven attack ended with a smart pass from Ewan reaching George D, who once more powered through. Ewan converted and Oke were ahead 14-24.

A few minutes later and Okehampton were back on the offensive, but Bideford won the ball back and kicked down field. The ball was collected by full back George Harding; he side stepped his way 60 metres back into Bideford territory with a scything run and as he was felled he popped the ball up perfectly for Kai Middleton in support, who flicked a lovely pass to Ethan Baker who crossed to score under the crossbar for his first and well deserved try for Oke. Ewan converted.

Bideford are a strong side, and they knew that the game was far from over despite being 14-31 down. They ran in two more tries, but The Okes stayed focused and united to hold out for the win. It may have only been their fourth game but this was Okehampton’s best performance of the season so far. There was some excellent rugby played in what was an extremely spirited team effort, for which all players must be applauded.

Okehampton 3 tries

Bideford 8 tries

THROUGHOUT the first half of the match, Okehampton communicated and passed fluidly along a strong line, maintaining the majority of possession.

They kept the upper hand, demonstrating their vastly improved rucking and tackling.

Given the massive leap forward in both their skills and their ability to collaborate, every individual was worthy of the highest praise, as new and less experienced players gelled with well-seasoned veterans to form a force to be reckoned with.

As Bideford laid down the gauntlet with a try in the first three minutes, the Okes piled on the pressure. Ethan delivered an excellent tackle just as Bideford looked as if they would get away with a second try; he stormed up behind and stopped him in his tracks, five metres from the line. There were similar, courageous tackles throughout the match from an increasingly confident squad; Sam Priday’s relentless tenacity in this area helped earn him the coach’s ’player of the week award.

Midway through the game, Oke seemed to lose a bit of sparkle and Bideford took advantage, scoring three soft tries, but the Okes soon recharged and battled on to finish with a respectable three tries in total from Ethan Drew.

Tavistock U12s

Ivybridge U12s 

MILD and sunny weather welcomed both teams. Tavistock started the game and conditions were perfect for a good match.

Ivybridge were quickly into their stride and opened the scoring.

The visitors were adept at passing the ball at pace along their attacking line. Tavistock were able to hold their own in the rucks and mauls but when they were in possession found it difficult to make any inroads. This was mainly due to being too flat in their attacking line, too many players attempting one man rugby and not offloading before contact and the quick defence approach of Ivybridge.

Tavistock never stopped working but some of the team lacked enthusiasm and this disrupted their ability to make any serious attempts on the Ivybridge try line. Ivybridge were worthy winners of a one sided encounter.

Tavistock should use this game to correct their shortfalls and turn around their season - they certainly have the potential but this was not their day. 

Ivybridge U10s 6 tries

Tavistock U10s 4 tries

TAVISTOCK faced some tough opposition in their first away match of the season, but once they had got used to the tougher style of play they came together well for a great team performance.

Some excellent tackling from Dan and Finlay kept Ivybridge at bay for a while, but the home side made good use of the space, passing out wide and skipped through for a couple of tries. Harry, Gabriel and George worked well together, putting together a good series of passes through to Daniel, who powered through for an excellent driving try, his first of two.

Tavistock got stuck into the rucking, with some good work from Matthew who was rewarded with a try. The visitors kept trying to hold Ivybridge back, withstanding some strong pressure, William TY using his strength to ruck over the ball. After the break another great series of passes from Gabriel and Harry popped out to Finlay. who powered through to score.

Ivybridge U10s 4 tries

Tavistock U10s 2 tries

ANOTHER difficult start in this game as the visitors struggled with the new rucking rule, but once they got in to it, they used their power to drive the ball well.

Some excellent,  powerful  running from Dominic saw Tavistock make some inroads into the Ivybridge defence.

William A, Jack and Dylan worked well as a team, putting in great tackles and passes with Jack and Dylan scoring one try each. Tavistock continued to try to hold Ivy at bay, Max and Rafferty tackling well but the home side were well drilled. William A and Ernie teamed up to ruck over the ball but it was not enough to secure the win.

Ivybridge U10s 2 tries

Tavistock U10s 0 tries

THERE were some lovely running rugby from Tavistock with crunching tackles from Ernie, William A and Dylan.

Tavistock held Ivybridge at bay right up until the end, but the home side’s strong passing and use of space helped them win out in the end.

Great driving runs from Dominic and Dan and strong defensive work from William TY, Matthew, Jack and George were just not enough to put Tavistock on the scoresheet.

Okehampton U9s 6 tries

Bideford U9s 6 tries

THE first game was set alight by Lily’s storming run through the opposition, with Thomas’ jinking runs setting up several Oke tries. The whole team defended excellently with ferocious tackling from Jacob, Kieran and Charlie.

Tries from Henry, Wilf, Lily and Kieran were capped with a superb try from sharp turnover ball from Jacob to earn a well deserved draw.

Okehampton U9s 7 tries

Bideford U9s 7 tries

THE second game saw Bideford bring out their big guns but the Oke players kept their nerve to keep Bideford at bay. Stanley and Dylan showed exceptional dedication repeatedly bringing down bigger players.

A fine eight phase move was finished off by Lewis, with Stanley seemingly everywhere on the pitch picking up four tries, while Rocco scored an outstanding solo effort down the entire length of the pitch.

Okehampton U9s 8 tries

Bideford U9s 5 tries

OKEHAMPTON really got into their stride in game three and made intelligent use of the touchline to repeatedly turn over Bideford ball. Bideford really struggled to break through Oke’s hard tackling defensive line.

Powerful direct running brought Wilf three tries with Henry showing great alertness to score having pressurised Bideford into spilling the ball. Jacob and Thomas also scored in a comprehensive victory.

Okehampton U9s 4 tries

Bideford U9s 6 tries

BIDEFORD fought back well in game four and moved ahead courtesy of a couple of missed Oke tackles. Oke tries from Stanley and Rocco, along with a fabulous solo effort from his own line from Dylan, brought them back into the match but despite the late Oke pressure Bideford hung on for the victory.

Okehampton U7s 27 tries

Bideford U7s 24 tries

OKEHAMPTON started the first half well with William scoring his first of two tries in his first game for the club. This was followed by Oliver S who scored a try and Seth who scored two.

Sam was tagging well for Oke, along with Olly W which aided Harry to score seven tries. Sam then went over the line to score his first try of the game and Nell passed to Olly W, who scored a try just before the whistle. Bideford played well and in the half they scored 11 tries.

The second half saw some great footwork from Kieran who went on to score two tries, along with Olly W who scored his second of the game. William added three more and Aiden four, one which was aided by Seth who made a great run and pass.

Bideford were tagging well and by this time had scored several tries. Then Okehampton scored again with three tries, one try each for Oliver S, Sam and Harry.

Both Okehampton and Bideford scored 13 tries in the second half.