Devon plate

Stonehouse Sharks U16s 3

Okehampton U16s 39

OKEHAMPTON kicked off this plate semi-final in what started off as quite a physical encounter, being played on a hard and dusty surface,with both teams vying for control of the game.

Sharks won the first scrum but as the ball was fed out Bickley intercepted to run through and score. Then followed a red card given to a Sharks player for kicking out which meant they were down to 14 players.This was followed by an Oke lineout where the ball was fed across the field to Pearce on the wing who made a strong run and passed inside to Pillivant to score converted by Simmons.

At half time the visitors lead 12-0.

In the second half both teams tried to move the ball about and play an attacking game. However, fitness and the extra man for Okehampton meant they gradually took control when the ball was fed by Liversidge from the back of a ruck inside their own half to Cooper who produced a blistering run down the line to show a clean pair of heels to the opposition to score.

Oke's next try came when Williams peeled off the side of the scrum passed to Simmons who returned the ball for Williams to score.This was quickly followed by the ball being worked through many hands for Pillivant to break through the defence to touch down.

Sharks rallied and came back into the game putting pressure on Oke. The visitors replied with the ball being swiftly moved around by the backs for Williams to score and Bickley to convert. The final try quickly followed with a breakaway run through the defence by Heard.

Sharks mounted a final push and were awarded a penalty which they missed only to be awarded another penalty which was converted to finish the game putting Oke into the final to face Ivybridge.