Western Counties West

St Ives 1st XV 11pts

Okehampton 1st XV 13pts

A CHANGED Okehampton side started ponderously. As expected the home side came out firing and their young, bulky pack made early headway around the fringes. Despite having the better of the opening quarter, all they had to show for their efforts was a solitary penalty for a 3-0 lead.

Okehampton slowly awoke from their slumbers, although sloppy errors continued to plague them. Getting the upper hand, they stretched the hosts defence several times without being able to finish things off.

Fly half Kevin Dennis did draw them level with a penalty though, before the opening try arrived.

The score was not without controversy though, as winger Rob Fishleigh went in at the right corner.

Home players and supporters alike protested vehemently for a foot in touch whilst grounding, the referee and touch judge both comprehensively agreed though that the try was good. The conversion was missed, as were several other efforts throughout the afternoon for the Okes, whose kicking game was not up to scratch.

St Ives were fired up by the score and levelled within minutes. A sloppy defensive kick from the Okes was returned with a hopeful punt that took a wicked bounce.

One more hack ahead after a defensive fumble allowed the hosts to level at eight apiece, courtesy of another missed conversion.

The second period, unfortunately for the spectators, failed to provide much better quality than the first.

Okehampton continued to get into scoring positions but failed to ram home their advantage.

As the game wore on, Okehampton's scrum became dominant, and looked likely to bring the next score. It wasn't to be though as several chances went begging, either at the base or through home infringements.

Penalty chances were also missed until finally Okehampton got their second try. Once more the lively Fishleigh had a hand in the score.

He fed back inside after showing good pace to the supporting Kevin Dennis who crashed over to regain the lead for the visitors. 13-8, with another missed conversion; Oke were once more in the lead despite the performance.

St Ives rallied and showed lots of effort without really threatening.

They did manage a simple penalty goal to reduce the arrears, but failed to muster enough quality to glean another score before the match came to a subdued climax.

Okehampton will be pleased with the points, if not the performance.

There is plenty to work on in training this week before the visit of lowly Tiverton next Saturday.

Although their opponents are winless so far; Oke know they must play better in order to continue their unbeaten run.