Crediton U16s 22

Okehampton U16s 21

THESE two evenly matched sides served up a treat in the game played in memory of former Okes' player Stuart Stocking.

Both sides indicated their attacking intent in the early stages.

It was Okehampton that broke the deadlock following a scrum on the right for an innocuous knock on, they spread it wide and good hands from Dan Fogerty, Rhys Palmer, Conor Stevens and Frank Smith released Declan Coyle to score out wide. Lewis Taylor added the extras.

Oke pressurised the home side at every opportunity but they fell asleep from a quick Crediton tapped penalty which gave the home side momentum and despite a scrambled defence they scored wide on the left, which went unconverted.

Both sides went hammer and tongs at each other but it was the Oke that increased their lead following a great blindside move involving Fogerty and Palmer and after the ball was off-loaded to Ben Sharp; he released Coyle to again score wide out. Another fine Taylor conversion made the score 5-14 to the visitors.

The home side reduced the deficit through a penalty.

Crediton put the visitors under enormous pressure wide left but a superb try saving tackle from Dan Vincent took play in to touch. More pressure ensued and it was Vincent again, with a terrific turn-over to repel the danger, that left the score at 8-14 at half-time.

Okehampton started the second period poorly and ten minutes of scrappy play in the middle of the park followed with neither side managing any real constructive play at all. Crediton went ahead for the first time when they were awarded a penalty for hands in a ruck and kicked to touch. A catch and drive was not defended well at all by Okehampton and the touchdown was awarded and converted.

Crediton's wingers combined well to score another fine converted try. Okehampton came back with force swarming all over the home defence to turn over ball and a deft break by Palmer released the supporting Stevens to score next to the uprights; Taylor converted.

This was an entertaining game by two committed sides. In defeat, the Oke boys had signed off a superb era under the tutelage of Wiz Francis and co with a committed and passionate performance.

Devon plate U16s final

Ivybridge U16s 16

Okehampton U16s 10

OKEHAMPTON suffered cup heartache at the hands of Ivybridge but ultimately had only themselves to blame with too many players failing to match their usual high standards.

A Declan Coyle brace for Oke, one in each half, was all they could manage although they stayed in touch until the bitter end. Dan Vincent and Lewis Taylor were superband captain, Ryan Gross, did his best to drag his team over the finish line but to no avail.

Indiscipline in the first half cost Okehampton dear as each time they secured good field position they gave it away as they incurred the referee's wrath and because of this they were unable to exert any sustained pressure.

Ivybridge opened the scoring when their fly-half converted a fine penalty but back came Okehampton and they were the first to cross the whitewash. Coyle was on hand wide out after holes were punched in the home defence by Gross and Taylor with some great forays and eventually the Ivy cover ran out.

Although Oke started to dominate possession and territory but their indiscipline led to another penalty kicked by Ivy's number ten.

Early in the second half Ivybridge created an overlap and used their numbers well to go over for an unconverted try out wide.

Okehampton came back, taking the game to Ivybridge, piling on the pressure as the home defence conceded numerous penalties. Coyle was again the beneficiary with a try after good work from Gross, Taylor and Conor Stevens in the lead up. The conversion attempt drifted wide but Oke were back within a point. With 10 minutes remaining Ivybridge centre dotted down wide out. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but it ended in defeat for the visitors. The Okehampton team had given it everything to cast a bit of a dampener at the end of a fine season. Although Buster Francis can be justifiably proud of his side and their never-say-die attitude.

The final trial of strength between the girls teams of Devon takes place in Exmouth on the last day of the season.

TAVISTOCK girls competed in the U15s Devon tournament at Exmouth at the weekend and came away unbeaten in a seven-side competition.

In the preliminary stages, they started with a great win over Devonport and then beat Exeter. Tries from Lizzie Crocker, Fen Eastaugh and Lily Mills brought the two wins needed to progress to the semi-finals. Lily Mills converted all but three tries.

In the next game Tavistock played North Dorset. Lily Hillson drove on the Tavistock backs and Alice Mills-Hicks urged the forwards to greater efforts. Tavistock won 21-0 points with Rosie Crosby scoring her first try. Tavistock then brushed aside a Liskeard/Newquay side to earn a final spot against Exeter, (who had crushed Exmouth).

Exeter were held to one converted try with two minutes to go, after penetrating runs by the forwards, the ball ended in the hands of Lily Mills at scrum half. She jinxed and swerved and eventually forced her way over the line before coolly slotting home the conversion. The town girls were unbeaten all afternoon. Exeter had lost one match.

It was a great end to the season for the girls.

This was a whole team performance. Squad: Lizzie Crocker (captain), Lily Hillson, Lauren Able, Anna Powell, Rosie Crosby, Alice Mills-Hicks, Lydia Roisetter, Jess Tait, Fen Eastaugh, Eleanor Mills, Lily Mills and Tilly Cole.

The players thank Wendy Mills-Hicks, Doc Page and James Mills for their encouragement throughout the season.

n Any girl wanting to join this successful team next autumn contact Wendy on 07528276225. No experience is necessary.

Tavistock U11s 42

Teignmouth U11s 14

TAVISTOCK U11s finished their season with a three way at hosts Exeter Chiefs along with Teignmouth.

They opened their account with a feisty and powerful performance against Teignmouth.

The Tavistock pack took the ball against the head, Dan Pett fed Henry Varndell- Dawes  who scythed his way through to open the scoring.

Tavistock pressured Teignmouth at every opportunity and soon forced an error over the try line allowing Edward Tait to dive on the loose ball for Tavistock's second. This was quickly followed by another Henry try.

Teignmouth never gave up and scored just before and just after half-time to make it 21-14.

However Tavistock stepped up the pace in the second with captain Matt Davey scoring one and making another for Henry. James Roisetter was superb in the line out while Jack Baker and  Ben Mckenzie played well at the scrum.

Exeter Chiefs U11s 7

Tavistock U11s 12

AGAINST a much more backs oriented side it took Tavistock a while to adjust their defence accordingly as Exeter sidestepped though for the first try.

Tavistock rallied, gritted their teeth and defended well to stem attack after attack out wide with both Dan Pett and Henry Varndell-Dawes making, try saving tackles on opposite wings.

With character and steely determination Tavistock worked patiently back into the game pushing Chiefs deeper into their own half and some strong phase play engineered the chance for Henry to score the equaliser.

Excellent counter rucking from Reuben Coleman opened a chance for Henry to score the winning try in the last minute. With conversions from Edward Tait's boot adding the extras throughout, Tavistock finished their season on a well deserved high and a team effort worthy of the setting.

OKEHAMPTON U8s travelled to Ivybridge to participate in their annual tag festival. 

The two Oke teams played eight games between them.

Red team (Lachlann, Adam, Shea, Callum, Will and Archie): Okehampton U8s 9 tries Brixham U8s 1; Okehampton U8s 4 Exeter Saracens U8s 3, Okehampton U8s 5 Ivybridge U8s 4, Okehampton U8s 5 Topsham U8s 4.

Blue team (Jacob, Toby, Ben, Sam, Dan, Alex): Okehampton U8s 3 Topsham U8s 7; Okehampton U8s 5 Devonport U8s 6; Okehampton U8s 6 Brixham U8s 3; Okehampton U8s 2 Exeter Saracens 7.

The end of the season has shown some wonderful team work in a developing team. No one player could be picked out as outstanding as all the players stepped up to their challenges.

Particular thanks goes to coaches Clare, Gangley and Dave for all they have done this season.