Okehampton U16s 15

Crediton U16s 19

OKEHAMPTON'S league season got under way with a gutsy display at Oaklands but it was to end ultimately in defeat as their inability to retain possession at the breakdown would prove costly.

The home team took the lead through hooker, Angus Francis, following good work by the pack. Crediton then scored two tries, converting one to put them 12-5 up.

Back came Okehampton reducing the arrears through number eight, Dan Vincent, who picked up from the base of a scrum to dot down. The conversion was unsuccessful. The remaining 10 minutes of the half were a real 'ding-dong' battle as play went from end to end with neither side able to gain the ascendancy.

Playing up the slope in the second half, Okehampton knew they had it all to do but their team spirit and courage gave them every opportunity. They retook the lead through Oli Francis when he read a Crediton pass perfectly to intercept and win a race to the line. Crediton snatched the win late on when their winger raced up the blindside to score in the corner, and the extras were added from the touchline.

So for all Okehampton endeavour and sheer heart their profligacy in possession would eventually return to haunt them as the ball was repeatedly turned over to put them under undue pressure.

Tavistock U15s 27

Exeter Saracens U15s 14

THE opening minutes of the match were dominated by Saracens, who pinned the home team back in their own half and opened the scoring with an excellent converted try from their number 15.

This seemed to energise Tavistock, who repeatedly fought their way up to the try line only to lose possession or concede penalties at the last minute. Eventually Ollie Woods used his pace to cut across for a try in the corner. Charlie Fethney seized a chance just before half time, when Tavistock charged a kick down enabling him to race through and secure a narrow lead.

Exeter scored again in the second half, and looked to be through for another certain try until a last ditch tackle by Bert Rodgers saved the day.

The home team gained in confidence through the game, working together to keep the opposition under pressure in their own half. Woods extended Tavistock's lead to six points in the last ten minutes, but Exeter fought till the end, with the tension only relieved by a last minute try by Fethney, converted by Harry Dunlop. Overall this was an entertaining game between two evenly matched sides.

North Okes U14s 10

Crediton U14s 5

NORTH Okes applied some good pressure to keep Crediton in

their own half early on.

This was to prove a physical encounter for each team, Crediton with their strong runners and NorthOkes with their strong tackling.

After some sustained pressure from a penalty move it was North Okes who scored first, Liam Pyle breaking through to touch down.

Crediton replied in the second half to bring the scores level. Not long after Joe Mawle picked and drove for the line to take the lead for North Okes.

Crediton were unlucky not to level when they camped in the North Okes 22 for the last five minutes; they crossed the line only to be held up by Daniel Thornes try saving tackle.

The home side came through with a spirited performance. Every team member did their bit and this will be a good starting point for the rest of the season. Jack Raymond, Daniel Thorne, Harry Elliot and Liam Pyle made some great tackles and George Jefferys played well for his first game at scrum half.

Exeter Saracens U14s 5

Tavistock U14s 56

TAVISTOCK U14s started the new season with a bang running in eight tries in their first game away to Exeter Saracens.

Tavistock raced into an early lead with a powerful drive from James L resulting in a try scored to the left of the posts. Ben M quickly added two more tries — the first of which was a fine solo effort after.

Ben M continued to run strongly and he scored two more tries, however, in the second third of the game Saracens rallied somewhat and their forwards won good ball to force a score in the corner.

The last 20 minutes of the game was hard work in the hot weather but forwards Theo, Will G, James L, Steve K, Chris W, Greg C and Harry G worked tirelessly in the rucks and mauls to secure good possession for Tavistock's free running backline.

Theo and Will G tackled their socks off and made sure they disrupted as much of Saracens possession as they could all game.

George H showed his class running and passing the ball effectively from the set piece and in the loose. He and Will P also kicked accurately out of hand pinning Saracens in their own half.

George kicked all five of his conversions with Will P adding a further three. Dan W showed his skills playing at scrum half for the first time and his quick hands freed Will P to score under the posts. Bernie was superb with his tough tackling.

In the final minutes Ethan L scored a fine try after some strong direct running, handing off opponents in his wake. Ethan L followed this up with a chip kick after collecting the kick off, which was secured by Ben M and then fittingly after some slick handling between the two of them Ben M capped a man of the match display by scoring his fifth try.

Crediton U13s 27

Okehampton U13s 7

THIS was a tough opening game of the season for the Okehampton boys. With a player short and against a much larger Crediton side Okehampton wilted in the second half heat to come off a clear second best.

Playing down the hill to start Okehampton began reasonably brightly and applied pressure in the home 22. However some weak first up tackles allowed the huge Crediton left winger an easy run in to open the scoring.

With flanker Kieran Coyle the pick of the Oke pack, the visitors were losing the battle up front. Crediton scored another unconverted try before the interval as one of the big forwards peeled off a maul and crashed over.

The second half was always going to be a struggle and gradually the hosts took full control and extended the lead to 20-0 after the home winger crossed again followed by another forward effort.

Then came Oke's best spell of the match, a concerted period of pressure resulted in centre Leon Horne crossing for a consolation try to the right of the posts which he also converted.

In the last moments Crediton crossed again after a loose line out and converted to leave the final score 27-7.