Okehampton Colts 21
Exmouth Colts 0
OKEHAMPTON looked to maintain their merit table aspirations with a home game against high flying Exmouth who had yet to concede a point in a 100% merit table record to date this season.
Playing with the slope the Okes' forwards had to contend with an early storm from the visitors.
Several threatening passages of play from a slick looking Exmouth outfit fell short of the initial score through some resolute defence from an Oke's side that through these early exchanges looked far from composed.
Having dealt with the early pressure the home side started to enjoy some territorial advantage and with some indiscipline at the break down from the South Devon side, Jamie Stevens calmly slotted a penalty for the first points of the game.
The remainder of the half saw the Okes gradually assert control over the game and from a copy of the earlier incident , Stevens put a second kick through the sticks for a six point lead.
Pete Gillard was starting to secure a steady stream of ball from the line out and with Fishliegh, Steptoe and Knott forcing the visitors onto the back foot both in attack and defence , the remaining 15 minutes of the first half saw hosts camped in the Exmouth 22 area. Okes went into half time 6-0 up.
The second half began with continued control of both possession and territory and after the forwards – being superbly led by captain Will Hawking – had worked the ball out wide through some good close quarter drives, the ball was moved slickly down the back line for wing Callum Ausden to finish well in the corner. The Okes were now playing with great control and confidence. The midfield of Rickerby and Windthorpe were forcing a stream of errors from the opponents' midfield and with Kev Dennis supporting his fellow backs superbly, regular turnover ball was paying dividends and it wasn't long before Ausden again benefitted from good handling to see him again outstrip the defence for his second try.
With several changes to personnel being made the Okes maintained their momentum. Chris Pyle was throwing well at the lineout with Harvey Ratcliffe and Hawking taking good ball with several catch and drives being brought down inches short of the line. In the loose Rob Steptoe, who was outstanding – and Oli Scantlebury continued to hassle the opposition and further territorial advantage saw Ausden complete his superb finish with his hat- trick try.