Devon plate

Okehampton U15s 17

Barnstaple U15s 7

AFTER yet another lengthy pause between matches, Okehampton saw off the challenge of their North Devon rivals to progress to the quarter finals of the competition.

Playing on the sticky front pitch, both sides found it difficult to create any width, and as a result the home forwards were the match winners for Okehampton. Playing with the slope first up, the home side opened the scoring after ten minutes from a tap penalty. Prop Ethan Hoggins used his power and strength to crash over from a pop pass and gave Oke a lead they would never relinquish. Winger Ben McKenna- Smith struck a fine conversion to make it 7-0, but Oke knew they needed more of an advantage with a tough second half uphill to follow.

Despite having lots of possession Oke failed to add to their lead before the break as the inevitable rustiness set in. Slow ball and a gluepot surface ensured both sides' defences were on top until the half time whistle arrived.

The second half began well for the Okes who, after electing not to slot a kickable penalty, stretched their lead with a second try. A fine effort it was too, as number eight Greg Daniel set off at pace up the blind side from near halfway.

Using a combination of speed and considerable power, the young back rower broke through several tackles to cross for a fine individual score to make it 12-0.

Barum then had their best spell of the match and camped in Okes' 22 as the hosts failed to find a way to effectively clear their lines. Eventually the relentless pressure told as the visitors crossed to the left of the uprights. When the conversion was slotted, Oke knew another try for the visitors would see them through on the away ruling.

Oke then lost influential forward George Ogbourne with a knee injury as the match entered the last five minutes. A last effort was required and the pack provided it in style. A superb series of pick and drives saw play taken right up to the visitors' try line. Eventually it was lock Rioux Thomas, who improves with every match, that crossed for the match sealing score. It was a great win that sees Oke play hosts to Brixham in the upcoming quarter finals.

Devon cup

Barnstaple U13s 7

Okehampton U13s 5

OKEHAMPTON travelled to Barnstaple to face a strong, physical, determined team, in the quarter final of the Devon Cup. 

As reflected in the scoreline, the game was a tense, closely fought battle, with all the points scored in the first 20 minutes of the first half.  Okehampton opened the scoring after seven minutes, when playing advantage from a ruck, the ball was spun out cross field, through several pairs of hands, to Will Cunningham, who steamed down the wing to cross the line. 

Barnstaple responded with a sustained period of attacking pressure, met with staunch defence and some huge tackles coming from Oke's Joshua McCulloch, Greg Haste and Olly Northcott, with ever reliant Saul Holliday spoiling and turning over Barnstaple ball. 

With five minutes of the first half to go, Barnstaple's hardwork paid off when they crossed the Oke line with a converted try. 

The second half continued in much the same vein, with both teams having chances for further points.  Barnstaple were strong and well organised in their set piece scrums and lineouts, putting Okehampton's pack under great pressure, while aggressive rucking forced handling errors from the visitors. 

Credit, though, to Okehampton, who did not give up, and were unlucky not to add to their score, on a day when the rub of the green did not go their way. 

It was an entertaining game, well contested by both teams in a cracking quarter final cup match. 

Plymstock Albion Oaks U10s 75

Tavistock U10s 35

THE mist cleared and the sun came out as this match started. Plymstock got the game going and a sustained attack led to the first score from the home team. Tavistock quickly evened matters up with a fine score by Eddy.

The game developed into periods of 'cat and mouse' with neither team managing to assert any authority.

Tavistock were guilty of being held up in mauls and squandering  possession whereas Plymstock were finding more space out wide by passing the ball out of contact but some dogged defence from Tavistock paid dividends. There were passages of stalemate whilst the teams struggled to find impetus.

Eddy for Tavistock scored three more tries, benefiting from some fine support play. Despite Tavistock's efforts it was Plymstock that edged the first game.

Plymstock Albion Oaks U10s 30

Tavistock U10s 20

THE second game was almost a repeat of the first and the final scoreline did not truly reflect the tenacity that Tavistock put up.

Plymstock pulled away in the scoring and although there were tries from Max (2) and Callum it was not enough to deny victory to the home team. Tavistock continue to improve their skills and altough the result was disappointing they are a team continuing to progress.

Plymstock Albion Oaks U10s 45

Tavistock U10s 15

Tavistock U8s 8 tries

Plymstock Albion

Oaks U8s 10 tries

SOME excellent running rugby, good passing and above all great teamwork were the highlight of this tough game for Tavistock against strong opposition.

After Oaks scored a quick breakaway try, Tavistock regrouped and put together some superb passing and tagging. Matthew, Jack, Dominic and Max worked well together to keep the ball and put William A through for the first of his two tries. Tavistock then won possession and Matthew stormed over to touch down.

In the first half, the Tavistock boys did well to keep Oaks on the second foot, with Austin and JJ working hard to take some great tags and force a turnover leading to William A's second try. Jack used his blistering pace to run straight through for the first of his hat trick of tries.

Dominic made the most of his good support play to burst through and touch down. Just before half time George P was rewarded for his great teamwork by scoring a super try.

The interval had revived Oaks who showed off some great running rugby and scored six tries in a row. It was not without great effort from the Tavistock boys in defence though, with some good tagging from Matthew, William A and Jack. Towards the final whistle the boys put some great running moves together with quick passing from Austin and JJ. Jack skipped through the defence and scored two tries in quick succession to bring the final scoreline closer.

Tavistock U8s 7 tries

Plymstock Albion Oaks 10 tries

THE Tavistock boys came out fighting against this strong Oaks side. Some great tagging from most improved player Joe M, Joe, H and William S kept the opposition at bay for a while. Tom used his pace and step to great advantage with excellent support from Joe M.

However, it was Lewis who was first on the scoresheet with two great running tries. Tavistock kept up the pressure on Oaks, taking some great tags. Player of the week Alastair was superb both in defence and attack, scoring two tries, showing great speed and a very nifty sidestep.

Tavistock put together some great passes, working to move the ball before they were tagged. William S, Joe M and Michael worked well together to put Tom through to score.

Dodging his way round a strong Oaks' defence, Michael scored too and coming back on as an injury replacement, William A also went through to score.

It was an excellent performance in the toughest games Tavistock have played.