Merit table
Okehampton Colts 34
Crediton Colts 20
FOLLOWING last week's return to form, the host's were looking to reverse the Boxing Day defeat at Oaklands by their near neighbours in this important merit table fixture with the Oke's looking to consolidate their current second place .
As with most local derbies, the early war of attrition saw neither side able to dominate either possession or territory although the Okes' scrum was on top at the set piece with the front row of Fishliegh, Hudson and White causing all sorts of problems managing to turn a succession of scrums against the head.
Eventually the forward pressure was rewarded with Kev Dennis slotting a penalty for the first score. The advantage didn't last long and after some scrappy play from both sides resulted in a penalty to the visitors to level the score.
The remainder of the first half saw the Oke lads turn on the style and with some well structured play working the game plan to the letter they dominated all aspects of play to which Crediton had no answer.
Making full use of the pitch, the forwards took play wide to suck in the defence from which the backs played superbly to put flying wing Callum Ausden in for a hatrick of tries before half time. Jamie Steven slotted one excellent conversion from the touch line to bring the half time score to 22-6.
The game changed drastically in the opening 10 minutes of the second half with the visitors roaring back into contention with two well worked tries both of which were converted to make it 22-20. Further changes were made by the home side and it was not long before the Okes again started to control the game. Captain Will Hawking led by example and showed great strength and pace to break tackles and outstrip the defence to score. With the side now settled, confidence was re-established and from some good work from the forwards the backs again put Ausden away on an elusive run that took him well into Crediton's half. Excellent support from Kev Dennis finished off the move for a try that he converted himself.