Merit

Okehanpton Colts 15

Torrington Colts 9

OKEHAMPTON faced a committed and determined Torrington side in their sternest rugby test to date in this season.

Playing with the slope advantage the Okes were comfortable in the early stages although every breakdown was being strongly contested.

With possession and territory advantage the home side gradually worked their selves into attacking territory and from a penalty Craig Dennis slotted the kick to put the Okes into the lead. Unfortunately, indecision and lack of discipline allowed the visitors into the Okes half and a further indiscretion led to a Torrington penalty that the number 10 slotted a difficult kick well.

Despite the home side looking comfortable on the ball, further careless penalties allowed the visitors to gain the lead with another well struck penalty kick.

At last the Oke side started to use possession and pressure to good effect and after a couple of blown chances, they trusted themselves with a run to the line instead of a kick at goal. The backs fed the ball wide with Jordan Cornthwaite receiving a well timed pass to squeeze in the corner for a try that brought the score at half time to 8-6.

The second half degenerated into a fractious and tetchy affair. One well structured period of play saw Okehampton move deep into the Torrington 22 and from quick ball fly-half Sam Ewens, danced through a few tackles to cross the whitewash. Dennis added the extras. The hosts were now looking comfortable but instead of kicking on to secure the game, a combination of lack of concentration and poor discipline allowed the visitors to remain a threat with futile penalties been given away.

Torrington ultimately got some reward from the Okes with another well struck penalty to bring the final score to 15- 9 to the hosts.

A win is a win but this must be considered an unsatisfactory performance from an Okehampton side of considerable potential. The opposition on the day posed little threat but through petulant indiscipline, the Okes allowed both possession and territory to be constantly squandered to allow tough and spirited opponents to remain in the game right up to the final whistle.

The Okes Colts remain unbeaten this season but greater control and discipline will be required for much tougher games ahead.