Western Counties West

Tiverton 5

Okehampton 31

ON a beautiful spring-like afternoon the Okes saw off a strangely lethargic Tiverton XV with a workmanlike performance to secure the win.

Lining up without second row Paul Lawrence who was selected for England Deaf against Wales Deaf at Cardiff Arms Park the Okes started brightly and camped in the Tiverton half for much of the first quarter.

There were many infringements as both sides attempted to achieve dominance. The Tiverton pack, led by number eight Wayne Sprangle, tried to soften up the smaller Oke eight but resolute tackling nullified their efforts.

The Okes were penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck but the three points were missed.

After 21 minutes Oke gained a scrum on the Tiverton 22 metre line and as the scrum wheeled right player coach Gareth Evans went off on a strong run to score wide out on the right. Skipper Tom Powell added the extras.

On 23 minutes Liam Sampson made a late tackle and Tiverton were awarded a penalty; the subsequent kick to the corner followed by a rolling maul was well defended by the Okes with flanker Dean Abrams putting in one big tackle to stop a certain try.

Back came the Okes with their smaller scrum dominating the larger, heavier Tiverton eight in the set pieces.

Pat Nash replaced Ian Langbridge on 26 minutes.

Just before the half time whistle the Okes again attacked and following a great grub kick by full back Gareth Espin and some enterprising play by the forwards Pat Nash went over for a try half way out. The conversion was missed.

Two minutes into the second half began fly half Oke Dan Fogerty executed the perfect sidestep to set up winger Keiran Lee for an excellent try.

Tiverton tried to exploit the narrow channels around the set piece that the Okes were defending well. George Courtier replaced the irrepressible Dean Abrams on 56 minutes for his senior debut. With Ryan Lee replacing Rory Honeychurch on 60 minutes and Ian Langbridge on for George Trerise the Oke pack became even more dominant. A scrum on the Tiverton 22 metre line was moved backwards at a rate of knots the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which was converted to take the score out to 24-0.

Tiverton began to flagg as scrum half Joey Bruce put up a great kick for Ryan Lee go over in the corner for the Okes fifth try.

Tiverton did manage a consolation score in injury time when centre Mark Schofield went over for an unconverted try.

Not the best the Okes have played this season but five points nevertheless, which keeps them in touch with the league leaders.