Western Counties West

Devonport Services 10

Okehampton 13

AWAY victories at the Rectory are rare and this precious four pointer was hard earned by Okehampton after a gritty and courageous display from the young outfit.

After a slow start the visitors showed a never say die desire that ultimately saw them home.

On a decent playing surface, Oke began with the slight slope and wind advantage but Services started on the front foot and spent most of the first quarter in or around the Okes' 22. The visitors they failed to take the few opportunities and had to clear their lines with the boot — only compounding the growing pressure.

Home fly half Anstis had already missed an early penalty chance before Services opened the scoring after 11 minutes. Oke turned over ball near their own 22, but when the ball went blind home left winger Morrison slipped through a one on one tackle before running up the touchline to score wide on the left. Antis missed the penalty.

Four minutes later the hosts struck again to double their advantage as fly half Anstis took advantage with an astute grubber behind the Okes' defence which was pounced on by right winger McGowan to make it 10 after 15 minutes.

To Okehampton's huge credit, they upped their effort levels and slowly grabbed a foothold in the match. Early changes were made, including colt's winger Lewis Taylor moving to eight. Player coach Gareth Evans moved up to hooker, and suddenly the Oke scrummage was moving forward at pace. After 18 minutes Oke gained a penalty and Lewis Taylor slotted a decent kick to make it 10-3. Oke had now something to build on.

As half time approached, Oke applied pressure on the host's line through a series of set scrums and after two consecutive penalties came Oke's way they looked for a pushover. At the third attempt the ball came out the rear as Taylor lost possession, scrum half Joey Bruce fly hacked at the loose ball which right winger Rob Fishleigh picked up and grounded the ball almost in one movement. Taylor missed the conversion but Oke now trailed by just two points.

The second half was mainly a scrappy affair, with defences firmly on top. However, the Okes' scrum became increasingly dominant, forcing home number eight Gregory to his back foot. Oke were also defending effectively with second row Sam Turner and Gareth Evans putting in some particularly brutal hits around the fringes.

In the last quarter Okehampton made inroads first through Evans, and then both props Pat Nash and Nicky Martin. They eventually found space up the right flank and replacement full back Gary Sizmur span out of the last tackle to cross for a great team try.

The hosts threw everything they had at the Okes during the last ten minutes. Anstis missed a penalty and then prop Nicky Martin and a Services centre both saw yellow. Okes' defence though stood firm and resolutely held out until a penalty relieved the pressure.

This was a superb away win for the Okes.