Ivybridge seconds 10

Okehampton seconds 71

IN good conditions for running rugby the visitors made a perfect start. A loose defensive kick was fielded by winger Oke's Callum Ausden who used his speed and strength to beat several defenders. When he was eventually brought to ground the ball was swiftly recycled to opposite winger Alex Dennis who crossed under the posts with less then two minutes. Fly-half Barry Down slotted the extras.

Three minutes later and Ivybridge were again made to pay for poor defensive kicking when scrum-half Richard Friend returned a kick with interest. He offloaded to centre Tom Powell who thundered through some flimsy midfield tackles before releasing Ausden to score in the corner. The conversion was missed but Okehampton led 12-0 after five minutes.

Five minutes later another loose kick gave the Okes' the opportunity for try number three. Full-back Cameron Rickerby, who had an excellent game, was the man to take the ball and run it back. He linked with Richie Friend who then released Tom Powell to score at the posts. The extra two points were a formality.

By this time Ivybridge realised that they needed to keep the ball away from the Okehampton backs. They started to keep the ball tight amongst their large pack and denied the visitors possession. This tactic worked well as it was not until the half hour mark that Oke scored again. Friend broke from an attacking scrum to feed Powell on the crash ball. He shrugged off three attempted tackles to cross the whitewash wide out and bring the score to 24-0.

The restart was taken by number eight Sam Turner. He broke through at least half a dozen tackles before linking with Simon Griffiths who unselfishly put Richie Friend under the posts. It was Friend who completed the first half try scoring with a scorching break from the back of a scrum to dot down at the posts to give Oke a 38-0 interval lead.

The advantage of the slope in the second period may have given Ivybridge some grounds for hope but these were soon dispelled. A steady procession of tries from Rickerby (2), Dennis (2) and the ever-impressive Harry Bushin combined with four conversions from the reliable boot of Barry Down brought the Okehampton tally to 71 points.

This was a comprehensive victory by a good side who now have their sights firmly on a top three finish.