OKEHAMPTON U7s travelled to Bideford on a dry day for a change and enjoyed some good running rugby and scored some great tries.

Bideford 8

Okehampton U7s 20

Okehampton dominated this first game with some great running and tagging.Tries scored by Grady(8), Max J (3), Harry (3), Matthew (4) and Thomas (2).

Bideford 13

Okehampton U7s 8

In this game the boys struggled to cope with the bigger and faster Bideford boys but tagged really well. Tries scored by Oliver (5), Callum (2) and Cameron (1).

Bideford 10

Okehampton U7s 16

Another good game with the boys playing as a team. Tries by Grady (9), Harry (3), Matthew (2) and Max J (2).

Bideford 5

Okehampton U7s 17

In the last game of the day the boys totally out played Bideford with tries by Oliver (5), Callum (5), Cameron (3), Freddie (2) and Max B (2).

Bideford U8s 8

Okehampton U8s 14

THE return match against Bideford was an exciting one again which was captained by Adam who showed his quick tagging skills on several occasions. William scooping up a loose ball, put in a determined run to score one of his three tries. Lachlann was forever attacking and scored one try together with Shea who made some terrific runs and was rewarded with one try. Saul, when tagged, made a very slick pass to Adam who went on to score one of his five tries. Saul was always in the running and scored four. Callum, always a key player was always helping the team to succeed.

Bideford 2

Okehampton U8s 11

Again a high scoring game with good passing skills shown by all. Shea fantastically weaved through the Bideford players for a super try taking his total to two in this game. Callum, Lachlann, Adam and William all scored two each whilst Saul scored one. A special mention goes to the Oke players who agreed to play for Bideford, Alex, Callie and Jacob who all worked hard, particularly Jacob who was often in the centre of the game and scored one of Bideford's tries.

Bideford 9

Okehampton U8s 12

Josh, Toby and Callie played the first half on the Bideford team to make up numbers. Then Jacob, Archie and Sam played for Bideford in the second half. Okehampton all worked well together with fantastic tries from Toby, Josh, Archie S and Sam. Alex and Ben both had fantastic runs, which ended in several tries scored each. Jacob and Sam supported the team with great tagging.

Bideford 8

Okehampton U8s 10

Another great game full of teamwork. Sam had another great game with excellent tagging skills. Tries were scored again by Toby, Archie G, Ben with Josh and Archie S scoring two a piece. All the team worked well together.

Okehampton U11s 49

Barnstaple 7 

THIS rearranged fixture saw the young Oke`s win the battle of the mud with Barum proving to be strong opposition.

Barum had the better in the scrums but the movement of the ball through the Okes hands and clinical finishing was to much for the visitors.

Jake Laing-Taylor had a solid game at hooker scoring a sneaky try up the blindside from a ruck.

Robert Whitby, Dan Wonnacott, Harry Laing-Taylor and George Cox all had steady games on the wings, with George and Dan making some good tackles. Up front the battle was on with Dan Tomkins and Barnaby Waddell making big carries resulting in Barnaby bagging two tries and Dan slotting over a typical props conversion.

Cole Pengelly and Saul Holliday worked tirelessly around the field with excellent workrates doing all the dirty work. The ever improving Sonny Luxton and James Stevens came on to strengthen the scrum to good effect, securing more ball for the Okes.

In the centres Charlie Glanville and Josh McCulloch put pressure on the Barum backs when in defence causing several turnovers and putting Okehampton on the front foot.

Will Cunningham has established himself at fullback with good positional play and counter attacking picking up two tries for his efforts. Joshua Burgoyne and James Close at halfbacks showed that even in poor conditions slick handling is possible with some neat inter passing from a scrum. Joshua picked up dummied breaking the Barum defence and offloading to James who sprinted over to touch down in the corner for a well worked try. This was by no means a complete performance but the Okes ran out deserved winners after a titanic battle upfront by both sides in poor conditions.

Improved rucking will be the order of the day when the Okes host Ivybridge next week. Many thanks to Barum for a good game and filling this fixture at short notice.

Tries: Will Cunningham 2, Joshua Burgoyne 1, James Close 1, Barnaby Waddell 2, Jake Laing-Taylor 1. Conversions: Joshua Burgoyne 2, James Close 2, Dan Wonnacott 1, Dan Tomkins 1, Jake Laing-Taylor 1.

Okehampton U11s 75

Crediton 0

OKEHAMPTON took the spoils in the local derby with a convincing win over their visitors.

The Okes started with real intent after the impressive Barnaby Waddell (2) crashed over the Crediton line with only a minute on the clock, setting the tone for the match.

Tries quickly followed at regular intervals through Dan Tomkins (1), bulldozing his way over from ten metres out and Saul Holliday (1) touching down after making several useful carries into the Crediton defensive line.

Cole Pengelly, Jake Laing-Taylor and Sonny Luxton all put in some hard work upfront, winning scrums against the head, with Cole and Jake making some important tackles. Harry Laing-Taylor and George Cox made good kick returns turning defence into attack.

Matthew Denning and Robert Whitby came off the bench to good effect, with Matthew linking up well with the forwards and Robert having his best game to date on the wing, coming agonisingly close to crossing the Crediton try line. The halfbacks of James Close and Joshua Burgoyne (3) controlled the game, with Joshua putting in a dogged all round scrumhalf performance and James making good calls from flyhalf, bringing his backs into play with clean passing.

In the centres Dan Wonnacott made a menace of himself among the Crediton backs, breaking up several attacks.

Charlie Glanville (1) had a strong game tackling hard and running a near perfect line, splitting the Crediton defence to touchdown. Will Cunningham (3) at fullback positioned himself well in defence and attack, linking up with the rest of the backs to good effect. This was a strong performance by the Okes, but rucking and control at the breakdown will need to be improved if they are to secure more clean ball.

Also a special mention to Sonny Luxton and Dan Tomkins who both played ten minutes each for Crediton following an injury.

Tries: Barnaby Waddell 2, Joshua Burgoyne 3, Daniel Tomkins 1, Will Cunningham 3, Charlie Glanville 1, Saul Holliday 1.Conversions: Joshua Burgoyne 2, Daniel Tomkins 1, James Close 2, Daniel Wonnacott 2, Will Cunningham 1, Jake Laing-Taylor 2.

Okehampton U12s 26

South Molton 7

OKEHAMPTON dominated play this week with a convincing win over their visitors. Game play in the first half was dominated by the home team, with most of the match in the opposition's half. South Molton showed continued resolve in the defence of their line, but Okehampton pushed hard to break through until Nathan saw his chance, took it and barged over the line to score the first try in the game. This was successfully converted by Mo.

Again the backs this week found their hands and continued to demonstrate improvement with solid passing through to the wing, to keep the ball moving and allowing the game to flow, considering the sticky conditions.

Tom S had another strong game this week with sound tackling and scoring a further try to increase Okehampton's score.

Brad S in his role as flyhalf continues to gain confidence, making good calls to the backs and ripping the ball from South Molton scored an opportune try. Kai's work as scrum half endeavoured to keep the tempo of the game going, moving the ball out as soon as it was clear. From the bench George came on on the wing and positioned himself well in defence and attack to take his turn in scoring. Solid team work also from Alex, Brad B and Jim but the whole team stamped their mark to make another convincing win.

Devon Junior Cup - 1st round

Okehampton 14

Brixham 5

THIS was always going to be a tough encounter and both sides did not disappoint, both teams determined to run with the ball and compete at the breakdown.

Brixham started the stronger but a committed defence by Okehampton kept the visitors at bay. It was almost looking like a stale mate for the first half until Brixham broke the home side's line of defence to get the first try of the game. The conversion was missed. Okehampton then showed how they have grown as a team, instead of crumbling as they might have 12 months ago they replied in the best way possible.

Applying the pressure to the Brixham line Johnny King crashed through to level the scores, Liam Pyle taking the conversion to put Okehampton ahead. The second half saw both sides making good opportunities but defending well. It wasn't until the last five minutes of the game when Okehampton started to camp in the opposition's 22.

Applying the pressure Joe Mawle wriggled through to score underneath the posts in the last play of the game. The conversion was taken by Daniel Thorne.

This was a very tense and evenly matched game which could have gone either way. Man of the match should go to the whole team for a solid and committed performance.

Tavistock U9s v Plymstock U9s

EVEN the cold, wet weather could not put the dampeners on a shining Tavistock performance, a performance that strongly suggested that Tavistock have learned their lessons since the start of the season. 

In both games Tavistock showed much better defensive cohesion, aligning very quickly at the break down and reaching the seven tackle turn over on more than one occasion.  Additionally their communication was vastly improved with players showing greater awareness and trying much harder to get in line and work as a team.  In attack they were equally impressive.  The support play was excellent, as was their passing despite the wet conditions.  Most impressive the players were identifying and exploiting space. 

Plymstock played their part too, and their dynamic physical approach proved a good challenge for the Tavistock boys. 

Overall this was a collective success.  Tavistock won the first game 11-7 with both Captain Jack Lane and Liam Watt, who was awarded man of the match for his vision and excellent offloading, scoring 3 apiece. 

Tavistock also won the second game 9-4 with Captain Joe Wheeldon scoring 5 and man of the match Jared Hunter, who has rediscovered his speed and evasion skills, adding 2 more.  Other try scorers were Charlie Hooper with two, Henry Nettleship, Billy Wilkinson, Toby Noy-Scott, Jonathan Griffiths and Will Hutton.  Next match is against Devonport.

Tavistock U11s 0

Plymstock Albion Oaks U11s 14

PLYMSTOCK ended Tavistock's six game unbeaten run with a show of forward power.  The game turned into a back and forth battle of the packs in the centre third of the pitch for the majority of the game. Despite their smaller size the Tavistock pack held their own for most of the game, winning several scrums against the head. Dan Pett, Edward Tait and Harry Edwards combined well as half backs to finally get the ball out to the backs, only to be met by an impenetrable defensive wall.

The Tavistock backs returned the favour and used the touchline and intense tackling to thwart Plymstock attacks. However the constant barrage of the visiting forwards gave them an opportunity in each half to ground the ball after some dogged defensive work from Tavistock.

Backs Henry, Ollie and Jack Bellamy worked hard to find gaps through the middle while James, Cameron, Sam and Tom tried their luck round the edges, all to no avail.

The Tavistock pack also kept up the fight with Harry, Ben, Matt, Jack Baker, James, Dylan, Reuben,  Kiran and Noah all taking on the huge Plymstock pack with courage and determination.

A second shorter development game saw Tavy take the lead with an inspirational interception try for Harry Edwards but some tired legs allowed Plymstock to equalise.

All round a punishing physical performance for the Tavistock team to learn from and take forward.

Tavistock U12s 7

Plymstock U12s 21

A WET day saw a tremendously hard fought game against a very strong, well drilled Plymstock side. It was the efforts from the pack, including Joe Burbage, Morgan Turnock, John Lord and Tom Pearson that saw Tavistock winning the scrums and retaining the ball in the breakdown.

Despite this, the team couldn't capitalise on the amount of possesion they had and were close to the Plymstock line on a number of occasions but just couldn't score.

It was good work by Lochlan Fulton, Jack Smyly, Gerorge Kharas, James Paxman and Zac Gorton and again hard work by the forwards that saw Jason Blake score the only Tavy try, converted by Jacob Staig. 

Results to one side, the team is getting stronger with each game, improving through the all the efforts of the players, coaches and parents. Awards went to Jacob Staig for tackle of the match, Archie Allen for his 110% efforts and Archie Trevethan won man of the match.

Crediton 15

Tavistock U15s 23

THIS was a great game of rugby and it could have gone either way as Crediton threw the kitchen sink at the Tavistock try line .

If it wasn't for Tom pulling the plug on the home side's ambition with a superb poacher's interception try then the visitors hopes of defending to the end could have gone down the drain.

This last try gave Tavistock a buffer but still Crediton drove on and there was some relief to hear the final whistle.

The game had started with a superb solo break from Captain Charlie and it was Tom again who received a whipped up pass at full pace to cruise over for the first try. It was nip and tuck with Crediton scoring three excellent tries.

Alex took over the captaincy from Charlie after our talisman was injured.

Jack was strong in his running although he may be fined for a dropped ball that might have made for a less tense finish. Morgan took the honours for his tackling and the rest of the pack followed.

Thanks to Crediton for a great match .