Western Counties West

Bude 14

OKEHAMPTON continue their ascent to the top of Western Counties West with this ultimately comfortable victory on a drizzly, Dartmoor October Saturday.

Visitors Bude fronted up well for two thirds of the match, before running out of steam late on in conditions that presented a different challenge to previous dry weeks on firm pitches.

Bude had the benefit of the elements in the opening half and settled quickly. With wind advantage, and slippery conditions that did not suit the Okes' more expansive style, Bude held early territorial sway. When the Okes did manage to get hands on the ball, they looked threatening outside as always. In fact, Okehampton were first to score when Carl Poynton gathered a clearance kick and scooted up the right flank. Good support play on the inside resulted in centre Kevin Dennis crossing for a try that went unconverted.

The Okes had the lead but Bude were forcing the hosts deep into their own half and penalty decisions were not going the home side's way. Visiting winger Pearce struck three accurate penalty goals before the interval. Oke were once again ruling at the set scrum but failing to use the conditions in the right manner. This resulted in them being 9-5 behind as the half drew to a close.

In the second half the home side used the conditions tactically much better and opened the scoring with three well judged penalty goals form fly half Poynton. This gave the Okes the lead and they used the wind and put Bude on the defensive with improved tactical kicking.

The home scrum continued to hold sway at the set piece and it came as no real surprise that the next score was a penalty try. Bude infringed once too often at scrum time and Poynton converted to stretch the home advantage entering the last quarter.

Bude were twice a man up as two Okes' players ended in the bin for questionable misdemeanours, and the introduction of replacements gave them late impetus. However, it was the Okes who scored next to ensure victory. Scrum half Gary Sizmur rounded off a spell of home pressure in the bottom left corner, with a try from break around the fringes that Poynton converted.

Okehampton then turned over ball shortly afterwards after temporarily abandoning their kicking game, running from their own 22. Bude countered and got a late consolation score as weak home defence allowed the Bude full back to cross by the posts. Home winger Matt Dennis showed good awareness and anticipation as he charged down the conversion effort.

The home side sought the added bonus of an extra point for four tries. In one last concerted effort they drove the Bude scrummage back at a rate of knots, resulting in a last gasp pushover try for number eight Tom McGratton. Poynton converted and the final whistle went immediately afterwards.

This was a satisfying victory that came hard earned.