Okehampton 8
Withycombe 0
ON a bitterly cold, but ultimately dry afternoon, the rugby served up was dour in the extreme and failed to warm the hearts of any of the well wrapped spectators.
The only real positive for the home side was another two league points gained which takes them to 16 points, a figure that usually ensures league safety. With Withycombe winless and rooted to the foot of the table, many expected a clear cut victory for the hosts. Maybe some of the players also felt this way as they failed to get out of second gear throughout the match. Withycombe belied their lowly position with their manful defensive effort, but they never really threatened as an attacking force.
The Okes played up the slope in the first half and dominated the majority of possession and territory but lacked the nous and creativity to create try scoring openings. Basic errors abounded and they really only created penalty chances, only one of which was successful. The usually deadly boot of Carl Poynton was slightly of it's game and he only managed one three pointer from several first half efforts. The only occasion when Oke did come close to crossing the whitewash was through a forceful, but ultimately thwarted, rolling maul.
So Oke turned around with a narrow three point lead, with the crowd bemused by the paucity of quality rugby after last week's creditable effort in far worse conditions. With the slope in their favour the hosts were hopeful of stretching their lead in the second period. Unfortunately that wasn't to be the case as once again, despite dominating, the home side failed to create many scoring chances. In fact only one try was forthcoming and that came from a set scrum. Number eight Sam Turner, whose strong attacking forays were one of the few bright points, picked up from a close range scrummage and forced his way over. The conversion was missed but at least there was now more than one score in it.
The final quarter of the match continued in the same vein and the final whistle almost came as a relief.
Still, it's a sign of how expectations have risen that a win was tinged with disappointment and playing poorly but winning is a useful habit. Hopefully the Okes will increase the tempo and level of performance next week as they travel to Penryn, kick-off 2.30pm.
Cullompton seconds 3
Okehampton seconds 13
OKEHAMPTON started well with strong tackling from Okes blindside flanker Ali Mason which immediately set the bar for what was an extremely physical match.
An early mistake from Okehampton allowed Cullompton to slot a well struck penalty. This was matched by a 40 metre penalty, kicked by Luke Wonnacott to equalise shortly before half-time.
The game remained close with neither side breaking through strong defences, with strong rucking and scrummaging from both sides.
With 25 minutes to go Okehampton scrum half Joey Bruce stole the ball from a Cullompton ruck and broke through the opposition defence in a typical jinking manner to the 22 line where he was finally brought down. Skipper Simon Griffiths carried the ball from the resulting ruck and popped a pass to flying young winger James Bird to brilliantly sprint down the touchline, cut inside to break through four tackles to score near the posts. The try was converted by Luke Wonnacott, who went on to score a further penalty bringing his tally to three kicks from five.
Cullompton were left chasing the game but they were unable to break the Okehampton defence. The Okes proved that it is possible to play an expansive game of entertaining rugby and maintain a strong defence.
Okehampton thirds 34
Teignmouth seconds 10
AFTER an enforced six week layoff mainly due to recent bad weather it was with great relief that Teignmouth made the trip up in this hastily arranged match. Teignmouth could only manage 12 players but after 'borrowing' Okes' Colin Ewen and Adrian Curtis, this levelled the teams at 14 apiece.
Okehampton kicked off to a strong and organised visiting side who ran the ball back hard at every opportunity. The early exchanges well even but after a couple attacks Teignmouth broke away from there own half; it looked to be the first try but it was prevented by an outstanding tackle by Lee Carey.
The Okes started to find space on the flanks but this resulted in a lapse in their defensive duties and Teignmouth opened the scoring with an unconverted breakaway try. However powerful running from Okes' prop Stuart Tolley, who had another fine game, only resulted the ball being turned over and another break away try.
Half time came and Okehampton had a reshuffle with Tim Donovan and Phil Jones swapping shirts with Adrian and Colin. After the break Okes' props, backs and second rows popped up at every opportunity to take the crash at the fringes to unlocked Teignmouth almost at will. Lee Carey opened the scoring with a fine try and with more good work again from the outstanding Chris Searle and Paul Alford the home side produced another try by Lee Carey.
There was a welcome return to the side for James Harrison who looked like he had never been away. Four further tries where added with a couple of conversion from skipper Ed Jones - capped a fine performance from the Okehampton side.