Western Counties West

Okehampton 19

Wadebridge Camels 0

THIS was another defensive clean sheet and four points for the Okes, but not as emphatic a victory as they had hoped for.

In the hosts’ defence, there were mitigating circumstances that undoubtedly had a significant influence on how the match panned out. The match was moved to the narrow confines of the back pitch which definitely aided Wadebridge’s cause and style of play. Whilst gale force winds and early descending darkness also hindered both sides.

Oke began uphill and into the forceful wind. Starting on the front foot the hosts were soon testing the Camels’ defensive resilience and could have opened the scoring early on, only for winger Luke Honeychurch to be adjudged to have knocked on when attempting to pick up an astute cross kick.

Despite playing against the conditions, Oke were on top, and it took 16 minutes for the Camels to enter Oke’s 22 yard line for the first time. The visitors were rewarded with a penalty, but the three point attempt was pulled wide.

Oke’s first attempt at goal was on 24 minutes when skipper Tom Powell missed a tricky long effort into the teeth of the breeze.

The home side continued to have the better of possession and territory, but found a combination of the tricky conditions and Camels’ rugged defence severe obstacles.

The clearest chance to come the home side’s way in the first half was via a smart charge down from lively flanker Liam Sampson; the back rower seemed certain to score as he bent to pick up the ball a yard from the try line, only to knock it on. There was still enough time for Powell to fail with two more difficult penalty attempts into the wind, before the interval whistle arrived with the score deadlocked at 0-0.

The visitors had also lost a prop to the bin right on half time, for persistent infringements at the breakdown. Unfortunately for the Okes their numerical advantage was nullified almost immediately, as flanker Sampson also saw yellow for a dangerous tackle. Oke also lost second rower Sam Turner to injury.

The new props were soon making an impression as the Oke scrum began to force penalties while driving forwards in the Camels’ 22. The home side continued to elect to scrummage from each penalty, and it was not long before the ref had to award a penalty try as the visitors’ pack continually infringed whilst retreating rapidly. Skipper Powell converted.

Oke struck again to increase their lead after 52 minutes and it was the Bruce/McGratton combo that produced the goods for the home side. The Oke pack drove a lineout on halfway, then number nine Joey Bruce attacked the short side at pace before finding number eight McGratton lurking on the left flank for a clear run in to the line. The extras were missed.

It was now difficult to see clearly as the darkness abounded, but a counter attack from a kick ahead by home full back Gareth Espin found winger Ryan Lee, who flew up the left wing; he did well to pass back inside to flanker Dean Abrams who ran in under the posts to close out the match in style. Powell again converted successfully as the final whistle blew.

Given the conditions, another home win and a clean sheet satisfied Okehampton.