South West premier

EXMOUTH 26

OKEHAMPTON 5

THIS was a final score line that did reflect the closeness of the contest as Okehampton gave as good as they got but the home side’s pack power proved the point of difference.

The other difference between these sides was how clinical each was when in the other’s red zone. The Cockles took virtually every scoring opportunity that arose, while the Okes failed on numerous occasions to provide the coup-de-grace.

The first half was a fairly even affair with the Okes holding a slight advantage in possession and territory but this did not reflect on the scoreboard. Solid defence from both sides throughout the first 15 minutes kept the match scoreless in grey overcast conditions.

There were contrasting styles on show – Oke preferring to move the ball wide and use their pace to stretch the large home pack, while the hosts opted for a more direct scrum, line-out and maul style of rugby. The weight advantage up front paid its first dividend for the home side after 16 minutes, when a catch and drive effort was grounded by prop Tribble; it was converted by fly half Meadows for a 7-0 lead.

The Okes then got into their stride and for the next 20 minutes held sway. Half breaks from Armitage, Espin and McGrattan all looked promising but loose passes or risky offloads ensured they proved fruitless. However, on 25 minutes the Okes strung together several phases of impressive play, as they stretched the home defence sufficiently to score the game’s outstanding try. After several forward rumbles and probing of the short side, the ball was finally swept right across the backline. Demonstrating great timing and hands, they put right winger Ryan Lee away on the overlap and he was not to be stopped; the conversion slid wide but at 7-5 Okes were looking reasonably comfortable against their more experienced opponents.

Into the last ten of the first period Okes were soon indebted to fullback Richie Friend who pulled off a try saving tackle and turnover to prevent a home score. As the half ticked into its last five minutes, Okes were forced to defend stoutly on their own five yard line. The hosts drove the visitors off their own put-in to create a score for back rower Armstrong under the crossbar. The conversion was an easy one and Okes now trailed 14-5 on the cusp of the interval. After the restart the Okes had a lineout in home territory with little time remaining but Exmouth countered from deep; they had set up camp in the Okes’ 22, a try via a forward rumble seemed inevitable. It arrived as expected via another try from Tribble after sustained forward pressure. The conversion was awry but the Okes turned around 14 points down.

Now with the slight breeze, Okes restarted knowing they required an early score. They went on to spend virtually the whole second half in Exmouth’s half with long periods being spent camped deep within the home side’s 22. However, Okes were guilty at times of white line fever and too often tried to batter their way over the line which played into the larger home side’s hands. Exmouth defended strongly throughout, never making it easy for the Okes to cross the whitewash. However they did still manage to cross it twice but on both occasions the ball was forced loose in the act of grounding to prevent certain scores, after fine efforts from both Oke centre Rhys Palmer and fly half Dan Fogarty. The Okes also forced numerous penalties but opted against kicking any additional points with the margin still sat at 14 points.

As the match approached the last five minutes, Okes were punished for their profligacy. On a rare sortie into Oke’s half the hosts took advantage of a tiring Oke defence, to once more bash their way over via their front five. This time lock Pape being the beneficiary.

The Okes nearly scored on the final whistle through a Fogarty effort but luck was once again not on their side. The final whistle blew and the hosts knew they had been in a much harder, tighter contest than the final scoreline suggested.

This was another away defeat for Okehampton but again one that showed signs of promise and undoubted ability to compete on the road at level five.