Barnstaple Colts 12

Okehampton Colts 22

HAVING defeated their north Devon rivals convincingly earlier in the season, the Colts travelled to Barnstaple following Barum's recent impressive form.

Choosing to play with wind and slope on the tricky second team pitch, the Okes hit top gear right from the start. With the pack bossing the breakdowns, a regular stream of possession was being secured .

The ball release was fast and efficient allowing the visitors back line to look threatening. It didn't take long for such an imperious approach to reap its reward with Jamie Stevens racing in the corner for the opening try.

The flow of play was maintained from the restart and after some further dominant interplay from the forwards the ball was spun wide again for Callum Ausden to outstrip the defence to touch down out wide. Jamie Steven converted superbly from the touch line for the extras.

With their tails up , the Okes embarked on a period of excellent rugby. From a break by Darcey Heard, fly half Kev Dennis dummied to break the gain line and with support from blind side Chris Knott and the pack, quick ball was secured leading to a try from Paul Windthorpe — leaving the team purring with delight.

It wasn't long before the Okes were back in attacking territory and after some further excellent phases of play, Kev Dennis bossed the defence to score bringing the score, after 20 minutes, to 22-0 to the Okes.

With wind and slope in their favour Barnstaple began to up the ante in the second half. With a comfortable lead the Okes seemed to take their foot off the gas and relinquish control of the game to their hosts and it was not long before Barum forced sufficient errors allowing their powerful winger to score wide left.

From the restart the Okes again found themselves on the back foot and although superb in defence, they spent most of the second half camped in their own 22 area.

Barnstaple did score one final deserved try but eventually the Okes drove their way into the hosts half where the game eventually stagnated into a mid pitch stalemate before time was called on a 22-12 victory.

Although a good win at a venue where a win is always hard won, the Okehampton lads really should have capitalised further on a 20 minute period in the first half in which they played some exceptional rugby to which their opponents had no answer.

Overall this was a good performance from the Oke Colts.