Western Counties West

Okehampton 19

Bude 18

AN almost palpable sense of relief went up at the final whistle, as the Okes finally got the monkey off their back with this first win in eight league attempts.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, but on a firm pitch set up ideally for fast open rugby; both sides served up a classic for the neutral, but a real nail biter for the home support.

Bude are currently on a roll; Oke contrastingly, are on a depressingly long run without a win. The hosts playing up the slope first up, and were soon demonstrating the lack of confidence that a run of defeats bring.

Bude started the brighter and were worryingly turning ball over with regularity at the breakdown. Both sides looked keen to move the ball wide and both defences looked porous when width was provided.

The Okes struck first with penalty opportunities. The first came after a forceful charge from number eight Neil Perrott who had an excellent all round afternoon. Fly half Carl Poynton potted the penalty after the number eight's efforts, and soon added another after centre Gareth Espin cut a swathe through the Bude defence only to pass to the opposition when in sight of the whitewash. The Okes were 6-0 up, but this was harsh on the visitors who had already showed signs of their potent backline.

Almost straight from the kick off Bude gained a lineout in Oke territory. A set move saw pacey centre Kyle Speare cut an angle, and show the home defence a clean pair of heels to cross left of the uprights. Fly half Dan Pearce added the extras.

After 21 minutes Poynton slotted another penalty as the scoreboard continued to tick over before he then missed another long range effort. Oke lost winger McGratton with a hamstring and as the interval approached Pearce struck another three pointer to regain the lead for the visitors.

Early in the second half the hosts produced their best spell of the match.

The home eight were on top throughout at scrum time, and with the return of Steve Alford, the line out was the best it had been in months. Carl Poynton kicked another three points as replacement flanker Simons Cox's influence began to tell at breakdown time.

Oke then plundered their opening try straight from a planned lineout move as Perrott bullocked his way over for a much needed score. Poynton added two the extras.

However, the Okes reverted back their bad old ways conceding silly penalties, failed to clear their lines and were slipshod in defence. Pearce reduced the arrears with a penalty after Oke failed to kick when in their own twenty two, then replacement home centre Tom Powell saw yellow as the pressure mounted.

It was no surprise when lively centre Speare cantered through a weak midfield defence, to touchdown but Pearce missed the conversion.

In the last five minutes the Okes failed to secure any ball and concede yet another needless penalty for side entry at ruck time. Up stepped Pearce midway out on the left from 22 metres but his effort slid right of the posts, and the Okes breathed another huge sigh of relief.