Devon Intermediate cup

Ivybridge 40

Okehampton 5

OKEHAMPTON rested and rotated for this cup encounter, but badly failed to perform, and were bettered in all departments by their committed hosts.

The Okes may have plenty of injuries, however this results was not expected and the performance was way below the standards expected by coaches, players and fans alike.

Apart from the first ten minutes, and a five minute spell just before the end, the Okes completely came off a poor second best against a rejuvenated Ivybridge side who simply looked like they wanted it more. The only plus points for the visitors were the experience gained by some squad players, and the début of new signing Jack Elliott who showed up well after along spell out of the game.

The Okes front row was disrupted and their usual scrum dominance was nowhere to be seen, although they did start with some promise. Unfortunately they missed a penalty from in front of the posts, and butchered several overlaps in their best spell of pressure. Ivybridge soaked it up and then hit on the counter attack to gain two penalties which were successfully dispatched by centre Adam Bradley.

The Okes were making far too many handling errors in decent conditions, and the penalty count was an increasing one. They compounded errors and gave away a decent attacking position as a result. They then lost their own line out ball on their own five yard line, and after several phases a loose pass was gathered by Ivybridge to cross under the posts. Converted by Bradley the score was 13-0. To add to their woes home full back Scoles run in unopposed own the left touchline. Bradley again converted from in front.

Things got worse just before the break as a penalty was awarded to the hosts. Fly half Luke Mantell potted a drop gaol from distance.

The Okes went into the break shell shocked and hoping for a comeback second half performance but it never looked likely. More changes were introduced from the bench as the team was shuffled in an effort to raise it from it's slumbers. Ivybridge were still in command however, and they scored far too easily from a rolling maul to take the to 28-0.

Shortly after Oke prop Nicky Martin saw yellow to make matters even worse and another forward rumble stretched the lead to 35-0. Ivybridge's back row were soaking up Okes predictable back play with ease, and the visitors seemed bereft of attacking ideas. Finally they did mange to keep the ball through several phases, which created a rare opening. Full back Andrew Brimmacombe finished off the move out wide for what was a mere consolation score.

Ivybridge still managed a final try as full back Scoles hacked on yet another Oke dropped pass to score in the dying seconds.

In truth, Okehampton have been winning without playing near their usual levels for some weeks. The injuries and non-availabilities finally took their toll.