South West one

Clevedon 55

Okehampton 34

ON a pitch that bore more resemblance to the Western Australia cricket ground at Perth than Twickenham, Okehampton came off second best to league runners-up Clevedon.

No doubt both sides had more than one eye on next week’s crucial fixtures, Clevedon in the promotion play offs at Newbury and the Okes in the Devon cup final at Brixham. That, combined with a hard playing surface, ensured that the tackling on show was way below expected levels. The Okes also struggled throughout at line-outs and their kick chase tactic allowed the Newbury counter attacks way too much room.

The Okes started minus regulars Perrot, Bruce, Nash and Cox and went onto lose several more to injury as the pitch wreaked havoc. Straight from the kick off the Okes put themselves under pressure allowing the ball to bounce unnecessarily. The hosts took full advantage as they regathered and scored their first try after barely a minute had elapsed. The reliable boot of out half Hill added the extras and he was to control play effectively while he was on the field.

The visitors lost fly half Dan Foggarty with an injury at this point to increase their woes. Okes responded well though, but errors allowed Clevedon to increase their lead through a penalty on 13 minutes.

Okehampton , despite being way below their defensive standards set last week, looked threatening whenever they had the ball. Good play brought the reward of a penalty chance after 17 minutes and centre Richie Friend landed the kick to put the visitors on the board.

Clevedon were soon back on the offensive though and added a second try after an inside pass caught Oke napping. The ’tit for tat’ continued apace as the Okes were rewarded for their ambition with their first try. Second row Karl Pearce made a powerful charge and sucked in tacklers, before offloading to hooker Jake Shin and the youngster crossed to reduce the arrears. Unfortunately the injury jinx forced Pearce to leave the field with an ankle injury and he played no further part in proceedings.

The Okes could not consolidate though and they conceded straight from the restart. Another try out wide and successful conversion meant the Okes trailed by 14 points midway through the half.

Both sides then blew chances before the hosts plundered their bonus point try five minutes before the interval. Okes were further undone by the loss of second rower Charlie White with a knock, meaning all three subs were now on the pitch. Remarkably in the time that remained there were three further first half tries! First Okes skipper Tom McGrattan powered over from ten yards out, but once again the Okes immediately conceded another try, as a missed touch and poor kick chase proved costly. Then  right on half time the home side lost a winger to the bin, and from the quick tap winger Luke Honeychurch was put in the corner to make it a 58 point half as the score read 36-22 at the interval.

Oke started the second half really impressively, in attack at least. Kevin Dennis, again stationed on the left flank, ran in a poor clearance kick with interest to make it just a nine point margin. The winger then finished off in style after impressive build play by Richie Friend and fullback Gareth Espin.

Clevedon suddenly looked the side under pressure, but the Okes’ line-out malfunctioned to let them off the hook, and as the game entered the last quarter the Okes’ injuries began to take their toll.

Okehampton were punished at scrum time after driving the hosts backwards, the scrum was in charge all afternoon and even took a couple against the head. The hosts kicked to the corner and a catch and drive score made the homeside feel a little more comfortable.

The Okes had their moments in the last 15 minutes but conceded two more tries, with further injuries forcing McGrattan off while Espin and Dennis hobbled through to the whistle, to make the scoreline a little harsh at 55-34. 

The Okes did gain a well deserved bonus point.

n The team now need to focus on next Saturday’s Devon Knockout Cup final against Brixham — the club’s first trip to the final for exactly 20 years. Although underdogs, the team will no doubt do ORFC proud, once more after finishing as highest placed Devon side in their first campaign back in South West one.

A supporters’ bus will be laid on so the club is asking fans to don their maroon and amber and cheer the side on to round off another successful season.