Western Counties West
Truro RFC 33
Okehampton 15
OKEHAMPTON travelled to the Duchy in high hopes following a four match winning streak but knew this was possibly their sternest test to date against a strong Truro side.
The first 20 minutes were a cagey affair with the majority of play being concentrated in the central third of the pitch as these third and fourth placed sides battled to gain supremacy, Truro through good hands through the backs and strong running and Okehampton keen to kick over the top putting Truro on the back foot.
It was the Okes who had the first chance to put points on the board when after 20 minutes Truro were penalised for handling on the floor but the kick at posts drifted just wide.
Truro it was though that did get the scoreboard ticking over as they were awarded two penalties in quick succession — both converted by the home fly-half, Scott Martin.
The sucker punch for Okehampton came however, in the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half when Truro's scrum-half Rikki Brandon dummied and darted through a gaping hole to score under the posts, converted by Martin to make it 13-0 at half-time.
In the second half two tries within eight minutes of the restart. Firstly scrum-half Brandon bagged his second of the game and he was followed by number eight, Tim Gay. Both attempted conversions from wide out on the left were missed but Truro now had a twenty three point lead.
Okehampton rang the changes as Pete Herrod-Taylor came on for Luke Honeychurch and Tom Robinson replaced Harry Bushin.
Martin then converted another penalty to increase the lead to 26 points .
Okehampton were not to lie down though and showed their character as they continued to impress when their backs had ball in hand. They scored the try of the game as some slick handling in midfield put Gary Sizmur through on a good line and his sumptuous reverse pass allowed the impressive Gareth Espin to ghost through and dot down to the left of the posts. The conversion points were duly added by fly-half Carl Poynton and with eighteen minutes remaining he slotted a penalty to make it 26-10.
However Truro quashed the fight back as their forwards broke through midfield and following a good handling move, flanker Hodgson went over in the corner. Martin adding the extras. It was Okehampton though who were to complete the scoring in the final minute when number eight Sam Turner charged down a kick and pounced on the loose ball, picking up from the 22 and running through to score.
A defeat at Truro is by no means a disgrace as plenty of sides will struggle to take anything away from St Clements Hill against a powerful Truro outfit and Okehampton can take heart from the courage and character they showed when they were staring down the barrel of a hiding.
On Saturday Okehampton entertain Wadebridge Camels at The Showfield, kick-off 3pm. All support would be appreciated and there is a reuninion lunch for former players and officials in the clubhouse from midday.