Western Counties West

Okehampton 48

Tavistock 14

THIS punctuated Dartmoor derby finished as a comprehensive home win, as the Okes did the double over their nearest rivals.

The home side certainly looked in the mood to enjoy the dry conditions as they came out of the blocks at pace, and they moved into a significant early lead.

The visitors looked slightly shell shocked as the Okes, playing uphill and into the wind, used their lively back division effectively to stretch the Tavistock defence. Oke's scrummage, which held the upper hand all game, created the first score with a strike against the head, which ultimately resulted in a try for returning centre Luke Honeychurch after five minutes.

Barely three minutes later the try tally was doubled, as a well-executed backs move saw winger Rob Fishleigh with the initial incision, and he fed supporting full back Gary Sizmur who showed good strength and speed to apply the finish.

The early onslaught continued as Okehampton scored their third try after 15 minutes. This time it was stand out stand-off Billy Searle who strode over after a neat show and go. The young out half, making a welcome return, was to miss all his first three conversions, but gave a classy demonstration of half back play from hand and boot to keep the Okes on the offensive throughout.

The game was then brought to an abrupt halt as a serious looking injury to Tavistock number ten Milligan resulted in a 45 minute delay as an ambulance was called.

When play eventually resumed it was the visitors who came out the stronger. They had a strong spell of possession and eventually got the score they deserved, as winger Ben Hadfield was up in support of a hack ahead to cross.

The conversion was added, then shortly afterwards home centre Luke Honeychurch saw yellow for over enthusiastic rucking. When the half time whistle finally blew, the interval score was only 15-7 to the hosts despite their initial dominance.

The Okes realised this was not to be the stroll the early exchanges had hinted at, and they re-imposed themselves with an early second half score.

Home full back Gary Sizmur, who was an attacking threat all afternoon, bagged his brace after the Oke scrum caused disruption once more and allowed scrum half Joey Bruce to put the number fifteen away. This time Searle added the extras with a finely struck conversion.

On the 60th minute the Okes stretched their lead to 29-7 with another try generated by their scrum dominance. This time it was livewire scrum half Joey Bruce who was the beneficiary, as the ball bobbled loose while the home eight drove over the whitewash. Once more Searle converted with aplomb as the hosts pulled further ahead.

The game was now into the last quarter and Sizmur was soon demonstrating his attacking prowess once again to put Luke Honeychurch over between the uprights for his second score; Searle added the extras.

To the visitors' credit they continued to battle gamely and were soon hunting another score. A quick tap caught Oke by surprise, and lively left winger Lewis Edwards was left scooting over for Tavistock's second converted score to make it 36-14.

The sizeable crowd were certainly getting their money's worth attack wise, and it was little surprise when the next home score came via a pushover try which was credited to home number eight Sam Turner, Searle again converting. There was still enough time left, as the match reached its delayed conclusion, for the hosts to plunder their eighth try. It was pacey scrum half Bruce that wrapped things up with his second score, and the home side were emphatic victors as the final whistle went.

So as the season reaches its climax, the Okes can reflect on a solid performance amongst a season of very mixed ones.

Tavistock meanwhile have to lift themselves to gain the victory that will finally see them safe from the spectre of relegation.