Okehampton U15s 12

Ivybridge U15s 50

OKEHAMPTON U15s took on Ivybridge on a heavy back pitch at Oaklands.

After observing the minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday, Ivybridge kicked off with a strong breeze at their backs.

Oke took a clean catch and ran back, but Ivybridge stole the ball and ran in an early try beneath the posts.

A positive attack from the kick-off proved fruitless for Okehampton, but the visitors capitalised on a scrum eight metres from the try line to grab their second score. Another try followed soon after and Oke were definitely on the back foot.

A great chase and tackle by Tom Arthurs from the kick off allowed Daichi Budiman to gather and use his strength to fight his way to the line and get Okehampton’s first points.

With their confidence lifted, Tom Stevens scored a superb individual try, running from deep in his own half, shrugging off tackles to claim the five points. Brad Simmons converted, but unfortunately for Oke after this brief period of dominance their game stuttered.

Despite some determined defence, and stout hearts, the lads couldn’t find their rhythm, whereas Ivybridge were able to take advantage of Okehampton’s errors, as well as creating their own chances through some excellent, simple rugby. They ran in six unanswered tries to win 12-50, but despite the score line Okehampton can be proud that they never let their heads drop and fought hard until the final whistle.

Tavistock U15s 20

Bideford U15s 7

TAVISTOCK U15s were at home against a Bideford team who convincingly beat them last time they met. They started apprehensively, especially as they were low on numbers with only one man on the bench.

An early try to Bideford, from a Tavistock line out, gave the home side and supporters cause for concern. It was the next few minutes that were key to the confidence of the Tavistock team and some strong rucking and possession of the ball by skipper Jon Lord, Archie Allen and Tom McKenzie allowed a break out move by Zac Gorton and Luke Lewandowski. Slick passes to Lachlan Fulton and onto Freddie Williams saw Freddie turn the speed on and score in the corner. Suddenly Tavistock started to believe in themselves, and knew they could score more and win the game.

An ankle injury forced Archie Allen off the field but this allowed Jake Holberg to come on and show some impressive skills, always being first to the Bideford scrum half and messing the play so that Bideford could not get into their favoured running game.

Tavistock started to gain momentum and it was from a ruck in the corner on the try line that, scrum half Tom Pearson popped up for a try for Tavistock.

After a good positional kick, the forwards kept the ball secure and Ollie Noy Scott broke through for a great try, driving though the Bideford team from 15 yards out. The score was still only 15-7 to Tavistock at half time, and the game became extremely tight in the second half. Tactically, it was Toby Teague who had the foresight to switch the scrum around ten yards from the Bideford try line, to allow him to pick up from the number eight position and score a fourth try for Tavistock. As always the team were confident that the hooker, Jason Blake, would win the ball and he did not let the side down.

The game remained close but a magnificent tackle from Robin Bickley boosted Tavistock’s sense of resilience as they fought hard, having two players sin binned in last ten minutes for going off their feet in the ruck. It was a great team spirit that created this win, and it acted as an extra man for the team. The team thanked Lachlan Fulton, an original Tavistock U7s player in this age group, for joining his old team mates once more for this game.

Okehampton U14s 50

Tiverton U14s 0

OKEHAMPTON welcomed visitors Tiverton, who kindly agreed to travel to fill a fixture slot. 

Tiverton started well and were strong in the scrums, pushing Oke off of a lot of ball.  Around the park, Okehampton’s backs and forwards gelled well, exploiting gaps in the Tiverton defence to score nine tries in the first half. 

It was a credit to Tiverton, who, despite the heavy score line against them, wanted to continue playing, and the second half saw them rewarded with more possession, creating chances of their own.  Okehampton’s defence was strong and they were determined not to allow Tiverton to cross their line. Sam Dunn for Oke again played well in the forwards, with George Cox making some cracking tackles on the wing, and Jeronimo Quincke and Archie Brown, both still new to the game, gaining in confidence. 

Oke tries were scored by Saul Holliday, Will Cunningham, Joshua McCulloch, Barnaby Waddell, Daniel Tomkins, Greg Haste, Jeronimo Quincke and Cole Pengelly.

The club thanked Tiverton for their spirited opposition, and their parents and supporters for travelling to Okehampton to play.

This was an all round solid team performance to set Okehampton up well for their cup match this week. 

Plymstock U13s 17

Okehampton U13s 38

Okehampton recorded an impressive win away at Plymstock.

Despite the scrum battle ending slightly in favour of the home team, the Oke scrum half used scrappy ball well.

Oke scored the first try following strong forward work, supported well by the centres. The fullback took advantage of a small gap in the Plymstock defence to make an impressive break. Some beautiful passing between prop, wing and centre on the blind side of a ruck provided the next try for Okehampton. Plymstock fought hard and struck back with tries in each half but never really seemed on top at any point during the game.

The Oke flyhalf added a try in each half demonstrating good strength and determination. The most pleasing try for Oke came from the forwards who showed clinical precision in a maul that drove the home team over their own line late on as Plymstock chased the game.