Okehampton seconds 18

Brixham seconds 18

THE stage was set for an epic top of the table, encounter... and this game didn't disappoint!

Playing down the hill in the first half Brixham started strongly, with their pack dominating the breakdown areas and supplying their backs with quick, quality possession, which Okes backs struggled to contain.

Subsequently, Brixham thrived down the slope and built a 15-0 lead coming up to half time. Ironically, a sin binning gave Okes the lift they needed and they began to come back into the game, with some excellent positional kicking via the boot of Carl Poynton.

Constant pressure from Okes in the Brixham half led to numerous penalties being awarded and wave after wave of Okehampton attack. Finally, after a mall in front of the posts, the referee awarded a penalty try to Okes, which Carl Poynton duly converted, bringing the score to 15-7 at half time.

In the second half more good kicking from Carl Poynton and Andrew Brimacombe, gave Okes extended periods of good field position, combined with a pack growing in power. This pressure told and another penalty was awarded, which Carl Poynton once again slotted between the sticks to make it 15-10.

With a pack now moving forward and making the gain line, Carl Poynton expertly slotted a drop goal from 30 metres, bringing the score to 15-13. Unfortunately, one moment of ill discipline cost Okes, as Brixham slotted a penalty from right in front of the posts, taking the score to 18-13.

More changes were then rung by coach Taylor, with Eddy Jones coming onto the back row and Adam Curtis into the centre. This fresh impetus showed and on being awarded a scrummage in the far right corner,

Okes mighty pack drove through Brixham's front line, culminating in pack leader Steve Alford crashing over to score 18-18.

The stage was now set for Poynton, the kick to take Okes into the lead; he struck it beautifully.... only to see it rebound off the post.

Okes continued to dominate right to the final whistle, but unfortunately could not prevail and the game ended as a rather scintillating draw.