Western Counties West

Okehampton 27

Tiverton 17

THIS was a hard fought battle between two sides in the middle of contrasting runs of form, both with differing targets for the remainder of the season.

The Okes were fifth place in the table on the back of three consecutive victories. Their mid Devon visitors had other aims, as they looked to add to their four wins all season to move them away from the relegation dogfight.

Okehampton came out of the blocks the quicker and soon had Tiverton under pressure in their own 22. Early line out ball, as it was all game, proved to be plentiful and cleanly secured. Scoring half chances were created, but none taken, before the first try did arrived on 15 minutes.

From their own put in at a five metre scrum, pressure forced a loose ball in the visitor's in-goal area. They tried to drive the tackled player back into play, but paid the price as home number eight Steve Alford stole the ball and grounded it in the left corner. The tricky conversion was missed.

Tiverton had the elements in their favour, and it was not long before they started to put the ball behind the Okes' defence and the rewards soon came their way. Firstly they reduced the deficit with a well struck penalty from distance, converted by centre Lewis. With their confidence visibly growing, and the Okes starting to make unforced errors, they took the lead after their second row powered over from five meters leaving a simple conversion for Lewis.

10-5 down things looked bleaker as five minutes before the interval Okehampton again gave away field position after a sloppy clearance.

To the visitor's credit they took their chance with aplomb, as good handling in poor conditions created a right flank overlap that winger Barney Bell gleefully accepted. Lewis kicked an excellent touchline conversion.

The next score was crucial, and Oke were the ones to strike after a fine piece of backs interplay. The blind side was used to create space for winger Rob Fishleigh, and good support from scrum half Richie Friend enabled the supporting Luke Honeychurch to cross for a vital score. Fly half Carl Poynton added the extras and things suddenly looked much rosier as the interval whistle sounded.

The third quarter belonged to the hosts as they used the conditions to firstly secure a penalty chance that Poynton slotted to make it 15-17. Then, after a period of concerted pressure in the bottom left corner prop Nicky Martin scored, the last up from a forward melee. The conversion attempt from Poynton struck the uprights but the Okes were now back in front.

The home side produced another fine move that finally killed off any visiting hopes of a victory. From a midfield scrum Richie Friend put centre Tom Powell, having a fine match, through a half gap. He made good ground before returning the favour to the supporting scrum half who crossed to seal the win and allow Poynton to add two more to the scoreline.

To their credit Tiverton battered away for the last ten minutes, aided by a sin binning for the hosts. However their forays around the fringes were incessantly repelled by some excellent home hits, as the Okes defended as if it was they that were fighting against relegation.

The final whistle went with Oke back on the offensive, and despite a far from perfect performance; another fine league win was in the bag.