Western Counties West Torquay Athletic 29

Okehampton 19

OKEHAMPTON were their own worst enemies on Saturday afternoon when they conspired to gift Torquay 19 points during the first-half in which they failed to utilise the strong wind that was behind them.

It all started well, the pack was dominant at scrum-time despite being considerably lighter than the hosts and the backs were looking fleet of foot and full of confidence. On 11 minutes, fly-half Kevin Dennis took a quick ball 25 metres out from a solid scrum and scythed through the home defence to score at the posts. He converted his own try and the Okes led 7-0.

Five minutes later Torquay scored a penalty from under the uprights.

Okehampton opted to run from deep in their own 22 despite opportunities to clear their lines, and when the ball was spilled they infringed at the resultant ruck. A similar incident occurred again on 20 minutes and although the penalty was 40 metres out the home kicker made no mistake with a tricky kick into the wind to bring the score to 7-6.

Torquay went ahead on 24 minutes following an Okehampton attack. The ball was cleared to touch and in their eagerness to restart the attack, Oke took a quick throw. The ball missed it's target and flew into the grateful arms of an on-running Torquay player who cantered in from 60 metres unopposed. The try was converted and suddenly the Okes were 6 points adrift at 13-7.

This became 16-7 when another penalty was conceded after chances to clear the ball were again spurned and another penalty was given away on the stroke of half time with the home side leading 19-7.

However, within 10 minutes of the restart the visitors were back in contention following the try of the match. The ball was spun along the backline to Colt Craig Dennis. He showed the defence a clean pair of heels to sprint 40 metres down the touchline before passing to Gareth Espin who touched down near the posts. Kevin Dennis potted the conversion to reduce the lead to 19-14.

The Okes then had to withstand a period of home pressure centred around Torquay's pick and drive game that they used to good effect.

Prop Russ Morris and hooker Simon Mabin were combining well to make the hard yards and it was no surprise when eventually Morris went over from short-range by the sticks. The conversion gave the hosts breathing space at 26-14 but not for long! Torquay were reduced to 14 men for the final 10 minutes when they had a player sent-off for a second yellow card.

A scintillating 70 metre break from Kevin Dennis followed shortly afterwards and after he had been hauled down 5 metres short Torquay gratefully cleared the ball to touch. A clean catch and drive from the resulting line out saw Sam Turner touch down and although the conversion was missed Okes were within seven points.

However another penalty conceded saw the visitors lose a bonus point.

n This week the Okes are at home to Truro, kick-off 3pm.