Western Counties west

Okehampton 74

Exeter Saracens 12

A REVITILISED Okehampton put troubled Saracens to the sword.

In a game that had an air of an Easter festival match feel about it, Oke hampton took a liking to the firm conditions from the outset. To Saracens' credit they fully played their part in an open game, but were ultimately outgunned in all departments.

The Okes had the benefit of the breeze as they began up the slope. It only took the hosts seven minutes to chalk up their first try as Gareth Espin, standing in at stand-off due to fly half Carl Poynton being moved to nine in a reshuffle, made a decent half break. He found prop Nicky Martin on his shoulder and the front rower crashed over for a score converted by Poynton.

At this stage both sides had plenty of possession but Oke were using it more effectively. Winger Craig Dennis was next to score after being fed by Poynton from a scrum on the short side. Poynton again converting after 15 minutes. The scrum half added another penalty after 20 minutes, but shortly afterwards Saracens crossed for the first of their two tries.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Craig Dennis waltzed in for his second try after being released by good hands from brother and full back Matt. The conversion was missed and when home second rower Sam Turner saw yellow shortly after, Saracens reduced the arrears with a penalty.

The hosts' 14 men struck two blows in the time remaining to end the game as a contest. First Craig Dennis crossed in the corner for his hat-trick score after benefitting from a couple of lucky bounce. Then captain Espin notched his second after intercepting a pass in midfield. Poynton converted both and the home side were now comfortable, leading 36-10 at the break.

The second half began and the scoreboard continued to tick over. Steve Alford grounded a pushover try in typically efficient fashion, Poynton adding the points. Thge Exeter side enjoyed a spell of pressure and they took full advantage of some lax defence to cross in the top left corner to make the score 43-17 after 50 minutes.

Oke brought on two more products from the fruitful Okehampton youth section with Colts players Dean Folland and Chris Swash slotting in seamlessly as the home side continued to flourish.

Craig Dennis benefitted most from the firm pitch, and the swift hands of Poynton, as soon gathered his fourth try, this time from an astute cross kick. The number nine converted, and then saw winger Tom McGratton drop kick the extras to his own interception score which took Oke up to 57 points.

Hooker George Trerise, having a lively game in the loose was next to cross, midway out on the left, as the points continued to rack up.

Defences were becoming even more stretched as the game entered the last ten minutes. McGratton showing good strength to bag his brace down the left flank, then centre Swash, having a fine all round debut, scooted in for the eleventh and final try of a profitable afternoon for the Okes.