Tavistock U16s 17

Teignmouth U16s 31

TAVISTOCK U16's got their first experience of playing in the highest tier of the Devon Fisherman's cup competition and they acquitted themselves admirable.

It did take them a while to adjust to the faster pace of this league and they found themselves five points behind inside the first 10 minutes of the game. Teignmouth recycled the ball quickly to send over their fullback into the left hand corner.

Nevertheless, with the powerful Billy Rowe winning numerous turnovers and Theo Cousins tackling bravely in the loose and dominating the lineout Tavistock forced their way back into the game. Ethan Lamerton broke clear at outside centre and drew defenders to him before releasing the ball to winger Sean Donnelly to drive over in the right hand corner and tie the score.

Teignmouth went back in front later in the half after some more good work from their fullback, who ran back a stray kick and with some good handling they bagged their second try, which they converted. Tavistock continued to fiercely contest the breakdown and managed to secure ball, which the backs and forwards put through several phases of play before Billy Rowe busted through to score; George Hillson converted to level the scores again before half time.

In the opening minutes of the second half Teignmouth showed why they are one of the stronger sides in this age group and they adapted their play to a pick and go game and dominated possession. This led to two converted tries and they looked to be running away with the game. Tavistock, however, re-grouped and started to kick a bit more cleverly. Steve Kirby, Will Gardner and Scott Morris kept the home side going forward and brave defensive work from Bernie Sadler helped Tavistock to stay in touch.

The home side was justly rewarded for their efforts with another series of phases resulting in space being made for Billy Rowe to drive over for his second.

Tavistock continued to battle to the end of the game but Teignmouth brought the game to an end with another piece of driving play which saw them score with the last play of the game.

Okehampton U16s 5

Exeter U16s 26

THIS was the first game of the new league for both teams. Exeter looked a lot sharper than Okehampton and this soon told after 10 mins when the visitors fed the ball out wide for their fullback to join the line and crash over for their first score, This was soon followed by another try after a basic passing move along the back line to the winger, who ran in unopposed to score under the post.

Okehampton's scrums were going well but any attack they tried to mount was soon stopped by a stubborn defence.

Exeter scored a third try to give them a 21-0 lead at half time and went on to touch down their fourth at the start of the second half.  

Okehampton, though, came back and replied with a tap penalty after Joe Mawle crashed over from a tap penalty 10 metres out.

Okehampton to their credit competed well for the rest of the half and were unlucky to have a try disallowed and to lose out on a losing bonus point.  

Tavistock U14s 20

Okehampton U14s 19

OKEHAMPTON U14s travelled to local rivals Tavistock for their first game of 2015. The visitors showed tremendous spirit and determination in a terrific, competitive game of rugby.  These two sides have much respect for each other and they battled for the full 50 minutes in an exciting encounter to blow away the festive cobwebs. 

First blood went to Okehampton with Noah Cracknell receiving the ball from a string of passes to power down the wing and score beneath the posts. Mo Taylor converted to give the visitors a seven-point lead after five minutes.  But Tavistock put Okehampton under instant pressure from the kick-off with their powerful pack showing their prowess in the ruck.

Tavistock stuck to some well executed rucking from Joe Burbage and Robin Bickley, with Archie Allen making an impressive run to secure a try and five points. A second try, and his first since September, saw Tom Pearson dive over the line and Tavistock edged in front at 10-7.

Okehampton came back with strong drives and vigorous rucking.  The visitors defended gamely with some fierce tackling from Daichi Budiman in particular. 

A number of successive rucks created the overlap for the Tavistock backs of Luke Lewandowski, Jack Smyly and eventually Connor Baker to go over the try line and take the score to 15-7 at half time.

Oke started the second half brightly but some poor handling let them down. 

Tavistock continued to try and take a firm grip of the game with relentless pressure that saw them camped in Oke territory.  Once again Okehampton's defence was solid, working hard to halt the Tavistock charge with excellent work from Nathan Tomkins, Tom Whitmarsh, Tom Arthurs and Daniel Turney especially.  But the home side capitalised on a poor decision from Oke to run the ball and Tom Pearson dived over the line to score his second and Tavistock's fourth try after great work from Tom Mckensie.

With ten minutes to go, and 20-7 behind, Oke could have let their heads drop but the boys dug deep and started to produce the flowing rugby they are capable of, allowing Mo Taylor to score a hard-fought try, which he converted.  20-14. 

As the minutes ticked away Oke's comeback continued.  From a scrum the forwards carried the ball towards Tavistock's line.  The ball came out to Nathan who shook off tacklers to cross and ground the ball for a try.  With the score at 20-19 Mo stepped up for a kick that could win the game for Oke, but it went centimetres wide.  It was a nail-biting finish to a superb match, and both teams deserve praise for their sportsmanship. 

Okehampton should be proud for never giving up and for coming so close to snatching victory in a great derby game which was a credit to both sides. 

South Molton U10s 10

Okehampton U10s 60

AN unexpected cold start to the first match of the New Year saw Okehampton captained by Josh. Toby, Lachs and Callum took care of the scrums as Callum passed to Lachs for him to barge through for a try. Will for Oke made some outstanding tackles.

Shea passed to Adam from a maul, he was tackled close to the tryline, but the ball was swiftly diverted by Saul with a slick tackle into touch. Some good passing was seen throughout the team despite the cold weather, making it quite a task to catch the ball.

Saul for Oke passed to Will and he was unlucky not to score. Shortie executed a great tackle into touch.

Toby passed to Callum and on to Lachs for his second try followed by Adam who fought for a loose ball and ran the length of the pitch for one of his two tries.

A lot of play was close to the Oke tryline and South Molton broke through for a try.

Toby for Oke offloaded to Saul for the third of his four tries.

The second half saw a different mix of players, there were a few dropped balls in the beginning.

South Molton had the ball but were stopped in their tracks by Josh as both teams appeared to be more aggressive.

Good teamwork from Oke saw Lachs, Ed, Shortie and Shea all looking for each other and passing well, before a try was neatly finished off by Ben.

Alex then pushed his way through and Ben was tackling well. The two final Okehampton tries were scored by Saul and Shea.

South Molton U10s 0

Okehampton U10s 35

IN a shortened, friendly match, there was some rucking towards the end of the game.

Adam passed to Lachs for the first Okehampton try before Callum passed to Toby to pounce for the second.

Flynn made a couple of good catches before Callum worked hard for his try, shaking off the South Molton defence.

Callum then passed to Adam who ran uphill to score the next try for the visitors.

During the second half the Okehampton boys settled down and Shea added another try. Finally, a pass between two South Molton players was intercepted by a speeding Adam to pinch a crafty try, his second in this half.

Tavistock U8s 10 tries

Okehampton U8s 5 tries

TAVISTOCK soon remembered their tagging skills after a quick Okehampton first try. Some superb passing along the line from Joe H to Nathan sent Jack through to score the first of his four tries for the home side.

There was some excellent tagging, particularly from Tavistock's Nathan, Charlie and Matthew, which saw the first turnover of the game to the home side. Matthew and Nathan again worked well together with Nathan running on to a pass to run in for the try. He scored again after Oke got one back thanks to a good pass from JJ. Michael, who used his pace to beat the Oke defence, popped the ball through to Nathan who scored his third. Some good running rugby from Lewis for Tavistock put Jack through for another speedy try.

After the break Tavistock continued to dominate with a great team performance.

A lovely move between Jack, Lewis and Nathan again saw Nathan cross the line. Tavistock continued with their excellent tagging, particularly from Joe M, to force the play to turnover to the home side.

Some lovely running rugby between Matthew, Nathan and Jack, saw Jack run in with the try. Oke's speedy Phoebe ran in two more tries. There were some good tags taken — particularly from Joe M and JJ. Nathan scored his fifth try while Matthew ran in for the final try.

Tavistock U8s 12 tries

Okehampton U8s 8 tries

THERE was more excellent tagging from another strong Tavistock side. After Okehampton opened the scoring Tom came straight back at them with a try right from the whistle.

Edward worked hard in defence and took some great tags to win Tavistock back possession and Tom once more sped through the Oke line to score.

The visitors kept the scores level though despite some more good tagging from Tavistock before Alastair burst through with a great jinking run to score. Great team work between Lex, Alastair and William A saw Alastair again cross the line. And just before half time Dominic made a great run, dummying the defence to take Tavistock into the lead.

After the break Okehampton came straight back to score and then won possession of the ball after the restart after it was dropped.

However, good tags from Austin, William TY and William A saw the ball turned back over to Tavistock and Alastair made a great zigzagging run across the pitch to score. He then worked well to assist Dominic in scoring his second.

Working well both in the Tavistock defence and attack was William Stacey, who scored his first try. Okehampton kept pushing to score two more tries for them.

For Tavistock Edward and William TY worked well together in defence. Further tries for the home team came from William A, Dominic (for his hat-trick), Tom and score Alastair (for his fourth).