Western Counties west

Okehampton 43

Ivybridge 8

OKEHAMPTON'S pack power ultimately proved too much for opponents Ivybridge, who had one eye on an intermediate cup semi-final the following day.

Ivybridge turned up with a much changed side while the Okes were missing a few regulars but still had too much in the locker on a muddy, gloomy afternoon.

The visitors showed up well in the early exchanges and actually struck first with a penalty from centre Bradley after 11 minutes. Okehampton then awoke and started to assume control up front. It was Craig Dennis that was first to score for the hosts after 21 minutes; stepping in and intercepting a pass, the young right winger sprinted 70 metres to touch down. Carl Poynton, again playing out of position at scrum half, added the conversion.

The Okes driving maul brought the next score; playing uphill and into the wind the home pack drove over in clubhouse corner after 21 minutes, with Steve Alford applying the final touch. The conversion was missed but Oke now had a clear lead they would never relinquish.

The three Toms were all showing up well for the Okes - prop White with several useful carries; centre Powell making some typically direct charges in midfield, while the versatile McGratton produced the hit of the day while moving between back row and wing.

There was no further score before the break and the hosts would have the full advantage of the conditions in the second half. It did not take long for the home side to stretch their lead on the resumption. Number eight Steve Alford scored his second after the home eight pushed their way over the whitewash from a five yard scrum.

Ivybridge then lost one of their pack to the bin after one offence too many and the home side did not need an invitation to capitalise. A penalty try arrived as the visiting forwards continued to struggle.

At 26-3 down, the visitors then had their best spell. They forced the Oke to concede a succession of penalties and made them pay with a try to briefly reduce the arrears and get the score their efforts deserved. This only succeeded in stinging the Okes' pack back into action though, and a carbon copy penalty try was the result. Poynton converted once more, and the lead was now 30 points and the match won. Into the final quarter and Okehampton again set up camp in the visitors' 22.

All 15 players joined a driving maul, and second rower Sam Turner was the beneficiary as he emerged from the pile of bodies. Poynton was unable to convert, but there was still enough time left for one more score.

These were not conditions for flowing rugby, but the home backs did string enough passes together to release winger Craig Dennis for his second try, as he stepped inside the last defender and crossed in the bottom right corner. As the conversion was missed the final whistle went.

Given the circumstances, this was never going to be a classic and the Okes will just be glad of a win that keeps up their recent revival.

An Okehampton win will secure fifth place in the table yet again, after a season that had at times showed promise, but ultimately has delivered little.

n This week, the last match of the season, as Okehampton visit Kingsbridge on Saturday.