Western Counties West

St Austell 25

Okehampton 11

ALTHOUGH suffering another defeat, this was an improvement on last week's performance for the yet again, depleted Okehampton side.

The pitch at Tregorrick was reasonably firm and the sky overhead fair. Saints are still sitting top of the pile after this home victory, although the score line does not do justice to the Oke's efforts, particularly up front.

Okehampton's list of the injured and unavailable is now approaching double figures, so all things considered; this was a decent effort against a side fully focused on promotion.

The Okes started well, despite an unjust penalty count of 6-0 in favour of the hosts in the first 21 minutes. After this solid start, they gifted their hosts the first score. A kick out of defence, to an area of the pitch where the Okes had no cover, resulted in home winger Alex Welland cantering down the left flank virtually unopposed. Scrum half Shepherd converted and it was 7-0 after seven minutes.

St Austell, playing with the slope, soon extended their lead to ten with a simple penalty from Shepherd from right in front of the uprights.

The Okes were matching the hosts though, particularly up front where their smaller pack were giving as good as they got. Second row Sam Turner was once more in the forefront, with several impressive defensive hits and useful carries. Despite their efforts, the Okes continued to shoot themselves in the foot. They fell further behind after 27 minutes when they kicked loosely once more. Saints kicked ahead, and Oke failed to fall cleanly on the loose ball. Fly hacking ensued, and it all ended with second row Scott Mcnally flopping on the ball over the whitewash, to make it 15-0 after 21 minutes.

In the next quarter, the Okes makeshift backline created several openings on their right flank, but were unable to finish any of them off. An inside pass from full back Rob Fishleigh seemed certain to give flanker Simon Cox a score, but the ball was spilled right on the Saints try line. Then, just as Oke looked odds on to score in another right wing attack, a pass went behind the attacker, and was picked up again by Welland — who, scarcely able to believe his luck — had the open field in front of him and ran in fully 80 metres, for a score that hit the Okes hard. Shepherd missed with the boot but the Okes were now stood 20-0 down — in no way a reflection of the possession and territory so far.

The Okes reduced the arrears before the interval as fly half Carl Poynton slotted two well struck penalties to take the score into the break at 20-6 in the Saints favour.

With the slope advantage Oke knew the next score was crucial, unfortunately they failed to kick the restart the required ten, and were immediately under pressure.

Saints used their offload game to create openings. They started to do this more efficiently in the second period putting Okes on the back foot. The visitors made changes which seemed to disrupt any flow they had, and found themselves with a line out on their own five yard line. The Okes' lineout failed and St Austell turned over possession. Flanker Rob Jeffs was the beneficiary as his burrowed over without much resistance to seal the bonus point. Shepherd again missed the extras.

To the Okes credit they continued to probe throughout the rest of the second period, but they could not find a way though due to a combination of stout home defence, and a lack of a cutting edge.

Penalties were accruing against the Saints but the Okes had to go for tries. They were repelled near the line, but Saints kicked loosely in defence.

Winger Matt Dennis, himself in his first game back after a long term injury, showed good vision as the Okes kicked astutely; his cross field effort found the unmarked Tom Powell, and the centre just had to fall on the ball for a welcome five pointer. With Poynton now off the field, the extras were missed. Time was running out though, and the Okes efforts for a losing bonus point were unrealistic.

Play camped in midfield for the small time remaining, and Saints had secured another valuable five points in their quest for higher level rugby next season. A defeat away to the Saints is no disgrace, although Oke will once again be kicking themselves for their self-inflicted errors.

Okes can reflect on a decent effort, with some positives to be gleaned. Outstanding colts prospect Dean Folland made his senior bow, and showed glimpses of his significant potential. The forwards were also more like their old selves, and when the injured backs make their way back into the side, hopefully Oke can finish off the chances their pack will surely provide.

n The Okes play Tavistock on Saturday at the Showground kick off 2.30pm.