Western Counties West

Okehampton 19

Burnham On Sea 11

COMMITMENT, effort, determination and sheer bloody- mindedness — attributes that have rarely been seen this season by Okehampton — were abundant in this superb victory.

League leaders Burnham came to town on the back of a seven match unbeaten run. They left minus their league leadership, and must still be wondering where the Okes' performance came from.

The Okes started brightly, despite having to play up the slope and into the teeth of a powerful breeze. Burnham looked to use their well drilled pack in the early exchanges, but were generally met with stern home defence. The visitors used the wind early on to gain a position in the home half from which a strong set scrummage gleaned them an early penalty chance. Fly half Piper potted the resultant goal to put the Somerset side 3-0 ahead after seven minutes.

The Okes replied swiftly, their pack, which impressed all afternoon, were the architects of the host's first score. A defensive line out saw Burnham out half Piper attempt to clear his lines, only to see his effort charged down by alert home flanker Paul Lawrence. The ball bobbled inside the in goal area, and prop Nicky Martin pounced on it to put the Okes were ahead. Fly half Carl Poynton added the extra two.

The visitors regained the lead after 15 minutes. Poor ball retention, and some weak midfield defence by the Okes, allowed Burnham centre Muskett to cross left of the uprights for a score which went unconverted.

Oke came again though, and a charging run by number eight Neil Perrott was held up over the whitewash.

The home team were now on the offensive, and another score looked likely until a ball was spilled in midfield. However a Piper penalty from the ten meter line increased the visitors lead to 11-7.

After 28 minutes with the Okes growing in confidence the home side camped on the Burnham five meter line and pounded away up the fringes probing for a weakness. Eventually the pressure told, as a rolling forward effort resulted in a try for lock Sam Turner, whose defensive work was exemplary. Poynton struck a fine effort at conversion but the ball rebounded off the upright. The Okes were now ahead and maintained their lead until the half time whistle.

The Okes failed to use the significant wind advantage during the third quarter, even though they held the upper hand in most facets.

Fly half Poynton had gone off went off for a knock and his proficiency from hand was missed during his absence. Nicky Martin continued to impress in the loose, and Oke slowly but surely gained territory. They ensconced themselves in the Burnham 22 for long period.

Poynton returned to the fray and the kicking game improved.

The match was still in the balance when a loose kick by the visitors 15 proved fatal. The ball blew back in the wind, Oke centre Luke Honeychurch re-gathered and popped the ball to an onrushing Joey Bruce. The live-wire scrum half hit the ball at pace, and after a quality sidestep he tore through the Burnham defence to cross under the posts for the match sealing score. Poynton converted, and Oke had the all-important two score margin to defend in the ten minutes that remained. Stoic home defence and handling errors by Burnham saw Okehampton celebrate an excellent home victory.

This defiant and committed team effort can hopefully be the springboard to better results, and a much needed climb up the league table for the Okes.