Western Counties West

Bude 24

Okehampton 22

IT was a case of déjà vu for the Okes this week, as yet another try in the dying minutes turned a likely victory into a disappointing defeat.

One of few matches to survive the recent downpour the conditions were perfect for Bude's preferred style of play, and negated Okehampton's wish to move the ball away from the home side's strength up front.

Despite these disadvantages, the Okes were on top for long periods, and really should have come away with a win that would have finally put any lingering relegation fears to bed.

The Okes played towards the clubhouse first up and started well. They took the lead on 14 minutes after centre Jordan Petherbridge hit the upright with a penalty attempt. The bouncing ball was gathered by Bude, but their attempted clearance kick was charged down and centre Luke Honeychurch, who looked Okes' most threatening attacker, gleefully pounced on the loose ball for the opening score. Petherbridge added the extras from in front of the posts.

The visitors should have extended their lead shortly after, as wing Rob Fishleigh was put in the clear up the blindside. However, he was tackled just short after a superb cover tackle by the hosts' full back and the chance was gone.

Bude drew belief from this let off and drew level after 25 minutes. Missed tackles up the right wing allowed Bude to gain territory and further weak defence allowed scrum half Tout an easy score. Wing Denford converted to tie things up.

The tit for tat scoring continued as the Okes regained their lead minutes later. A neat inside pass from scrum half Joey Bruce put lock Sam Turner in the clear, and he galloped in under the sticks. Petherbridge obliged with the conversion to make it 14-7 to the visitors. The centre then soon added a penalty goal, as the Okes extended their lead to ten points after 32 minutes. The visitors were still playing too close to the breakdown, and thus into Bude's strengths. When Okehampton moved the ball wide they looked threatening.

However, it was Bude who struck next when number eight Wilson had a simple run in when he picked and went blind from a five yard scrum. Denford missed the conversion.

The Okes finally managed to show their attacking capabilities on the cusp of the interval, and their efforts were rewarded with the best try of the match. Scrum half Bruce was again the catalyst, and his sharp break from his own half was carried on by the backs, good hands eventually allowed left wing Gary Sizmur to step inside the cover and cross to the left of the posts. The conversion was missed, although with the score at 22-12 to the Okes at the break, things were looking promising for the visitors. Unfortunately the Okes never really got going in the second half. Injuries and changes disrupted their game and they never moved the ball effectively to stretch the Bude defence.

Captain, coach and prop Adam Black came on to bolster the home eight and they soon scored their third try. Okehampton failed once more to successfully repel a catch and drive lineout and although the score was again unconverted, the visitors' lead was down to five points.

Black saw yellow for a high tackle, but he was immediately brought back onto the pitch as someone else was removed to allow the hosts to continue to scrummage.

With a man advantage the Okes then had their opportunity to seal victory. A five yard scrum in their favour was driven over the hosts' try line, but the ball was adjudged to have been knocked forward in the act of grounding. This was to be the Okes' last chance.

Bude regathered for one last attack as the game entered its dying minutes.

The Okes failed to hold out and as Bude regained possession they moved it right and scored midway out to tie up the match.

Home wing Denford suddenly found his range to pot the extras. This gave Bude the lead for the first time in the match, right at the death.

Once more there was not enough time for Oke to strike back, and they were resigned to just another losing bonus point from a match they ought to have won.