Devon Cup Merit Table

Honiton Colts 24

Okehampton Colts 30

OKEHAMPTON travelled to table-topping Honiton to face a side that have only lost once all season and got off to the worst possible start.

Within a few minutes of the kick off, the Lacemen opened the scoring as the home number 12 burst through some weak tackling in midfield to race through and easily beat an isolated full-back to go in under the upright to leave a simple conversion.

Oke put this setback behind them though and gradually started to get back in to the game, reducing the arrears to a single point through two finely struck Jack Davey penalties.

However, indiscipline was to cost the away side further points as back-chat saw the visitors concede an extra ten at a penalty offence and the resulting kick to touch was rounded off with an immaculately executed catch and drive.

Okehampton then enjoyed a concerted period with ball in hand and went through several phases as they pressurised the home defence which stayed solid until the stroke of half-time. Ollie Francis made the initial break with a trademark bullocking run, sucking in numerous home defenders and when the ball was eventually spun out, the scrambled defence was found short and Bradley Curtis crashed over from short range. The conversion attempt was to be Davey's only blemish on an otherwise perfect afternoon for him but the arrears were again only one point at the break, 12-11.

The second half started in stunning fashion for Oke as they took the lead they would never relinquish. A deep kick from Davey turned the Honiton full-back and as he gathered he spilled the ball forward under pressure from Ryan Gross and Davey himself.

Dan Thorne scooped up the loose ball to go in unopposed under the posts to leave a simple conversion. Davey continued his rich vein of form, slotting another penalty to increase the lead to nine points.

Back came the home side though and cheered on by a vociferous home crowd they had Oke desperately defending their line. The pressure eventually paid off with a try scored just to the right of the posts and with the extras landed as well, it was game on again.

Indiscipline was to cost the home side as they become more and more frustrated with Oke physicality and sheer bloody-mindedness at every breakdown. Three penalties were conceded in a relatively short period of time and on each occasion the result was the same, Davey potting the lot to extend the Okes' lead to 11 points.

Honiton did have the last say though as they scored their bonus point try with the last play of the game but the win for the travelling maroon and amber boys was in the bag and the final whistle went with the missed conversion.

This result should give Oke Colts increased belief that they can get to Sandy Park in April to contest the Devon Cup final as on this showing they should fear nobody in the run-in.