Okehampton Colts 29

Sidmouth Colts 5

PLAYING with the slope on a wet and cold afternoon, the Okes showed their intent with the ball being moved through several phases in the early stages. In the set-piece the larger Sidmouth pack were unable to assert authority over the hosts, with the front row of Fishiegh , Hudson and White taking several scrums against the head.

Having forced their way into the visitors' 22 , the Okes 8 again turned over possession at the scrum with captain Will Hawking driving over for the first score. Kev Dennis slotted an excellent conversion for a 7–0 lead.

Sidmouth came back strongly, but strong pressure at the breakdown saw the Okes turn over possession on a regular basis.

This, with excellent defence from the back line where Cameron Rickerby in particular, was forcing a regular stream of errors.

From defensive pressure Rickerby read the Sidmouth line to perfection and intercepted to run in from 40 metres out to score under the posts with Dennis again adding the extras.

A strong run from Oli Scantlebury with excellent support from Fishiegh and Steptoe saw the Okes again deep in the visitors' 22.

Further hard yards from Chris Knott and Will Hawking applied more pressure and from text-book quick possession, the ball was moved swiftly through the hands for Jack Phare to finish well in the corner for a 19-0 lead at half-time.

The second half saw Sidmouth in determined mood with plenty of possession and territorial advantage but the defensive organisation and pressure of the Okes, where Rickerby was outstanding, forcing turnovers .

The home side proved clinical in taking their chances and from stolen possession the ball was again moved swiftly for Jamie Stevens to score in the corner. An excellent try that involved an exhibition of skills that would have been appreciated on a dry, firm pitch and certainly belied the incessant rain with underfoot conditions to match.

Eventually the determination of the visitors and a period of territorial dominance had its just rewards with the winger scoring in the right corner.

But the final word lay with the Okes when after several lineouts where catch and drives were held just short, Scantlebury ran strongly to break a couple of tackles to score close to the posts . The extras were added for a final score of 29–5.

A good performance from the Okes where the tactic of defensive pressure forced the errors to provide opportunities that were taken well. Man of the match: Cameron Rickerby.