South West one (West)

Cullompton RFC 28

Okehampton 7

IT was rugby deja vu for Okehampton as a disappointing per-formance brought defeat at Stafford Park on a dark December afternoon.

Just after Christmas two years ago the Okes travelled to Stafford Park for a Western Counties West fixture. They lost 20 points to three, but then went on an unbeaten run for the rest of the season and ultimately emerged as league champions. Yesterday’s match bore many of the traits of the previous match. A dark winter afternoon, a performance riddled with errors and an eventual defeat to a fired up home side who deserved to win on the day. Hopefully the Okes will learn the valuable lessons from  this defeat, as they did two years ago, and come back revitalised after the upcoming Christmas break.

The Okes were in fine fettle during the opening salvos; they kep the ball well during this phase of the match and were rewarded with an early try in the third minute. After several phases an inside pass found the charging presence of lock Brad Curtis, who maintained his remarkable recent scoring record as he ploughed through virtually unopposed from the 22 yard line, to dive in under the bar for his fifth try of the season. Scrum half Richie Friend added the simple extras.

Play then became evenly balanced up until the end of the first quarter when the rain commenced and conditions worsened. This week the Okes were once more forced to play three props due to the lack of a fit hooker, and the lineout was again a problem throughout. However, the Okes dominated the set scrum all match, bar the first encounter.

Cullompton though, were now starting to gain a foothold after the Okes error count increased.

In the 22nd minute they levelled the scores after a series of close range ‘pick and goes’ saw the Okes fail to have enough defence on the short side, allowing the hosts to bundle over to bring the match level.

Okehampton soon had a man advantage after the restart due to a yellow card for one of many high tackles, and the visitors took up a promising attacking position in midfield. However, as was the theme of the afternoon, a good scenario turned bad when a backs move broke down, allowing the hosts to hack ahead and clear the danger.

The home side were now on the front foot as the Okes had become strangely subdued. Cullompton capitalised on every Oke indiscretion and earned a kickable penalty chance which they pulled  wide on 34 minutes. The home team pressed vigorously as half-time approached, but the Okes saw out the threat and were back on the attack just before the break when disaster struck for them. Another handling error allowed another kick ahead and under pressure the Okes conceded a five metre lineout. and they failed to keep the hosts out as they drove over for their second try on half time. Fly half Pearce potted the conversion and the Okes were seven points down at the changeover.

The players went inside during the break to escape the miserable weather and when they returned Okes hoped to use the slight slope advantage to get back into the match. Unfortunately the restart kick failed to go the required ten and the Okes were on the back foot for the next quarter.

The Okes failed to regain possession for long periods and in the 50th minute, after ensconcing themselves once more on the Oke line, the home side burrowed over for  a replica of their first score. Again the conversion was good and Oke were now two scores behind at 21-7.

As the match entered the last quarter the Oke’s scrum was becoming increasingly destructive and looked the most likely source of a deficit reducing score. The hosts fly half saw yellow with a  dozen minutes remaining; the vectors monopolised territory and possession for a significant period as they sought at least a losing bonus point. Time was now ticking away and although Cullompton got one half back from the bin they lost the other, and the Okes had a last chance to salvage something as they pressed again. However, in a mirror image of what happened at the end of the first 40, Oke let the hosts off the hook and they counter attacked, ending with another kick ahead which again was put into touch near the Oke line.

The home side smelt a four try bonus point and with the last play of the second 40 they again bundled their way over near the posts to seal the win, with the easy conversion landed right on full time.

Away victories are hard to achieve in this league, and if you do not bring your A game it’s likely you will come off second best. The Okes know this was a performance way below the standards they have set on  their recent winning run, but they now have  a three week break to recharge, ease some injuries concerns and come back with a bang in the new year.

Okehampton host a high flying Drybrook outfit at the Showground on January 6, kick-off 2.30pm.