Western Counties West

Okehampton 17

Bideford 3

THIS was mission accomplished for the Okes as they came out on top in a forward orientated battle on yet another muddy surface. This time the victory over their Torridgeside visitors kept the hosts hot on the tails of the leading two sides in Western Counties West.

After two hours of persistent rain before kick off, the going underfoot was bound to be extremely soft. The good news for Oke was that their pack were in the mood and on form, whilst their stout defence would also prove crucial.

Okehampton played up the slope first and Bideford had the upper hand in the first quarter. They twice came close the opening the scoring only to be held up over the line on one occasion and forced into touch on the other. Visiting fly half Ollie Wickett also missed a penalty chance as the conditions began to play their part.

Okehampton finally got their chance to attack entering the second quarter. They drove through their pack effectively and eventually forced a five metre scrum through their increasing pressure. The Bideford pack were forced back over their own goal line and home number eight Steve Alford got the final, scoring touch. Fly half Carl Poynton converted as the Okes started to gain the ascendancy.

Another good spell of keep ball from the home eight allowed Poynton to add another three points before the interval, and the home side went in at half time with the slope to come, and ten points to the good.

The Okes looked like they would stretch their lead in the opening passages of play down the hill however it was Bideford who took scored to reduce the arrears. After a rare midfield missed tackle, the Bideford centre chipped and chased as he approached home full back Matt Dennis. The attack was halted by an off the ball tackle and Dennis went to the bin as a result. Wickett slotted over the simple penalty chance.

This raised the Okes from their stupor and the pack, led by the outstanding Neil Perrot and Sam Turner, took control and once again they entered the Crediton 22 with intent. Several forays were repelled, either by firm defence or thorough home errors, before the next, and deciding score came. The Okes were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and they chose to scrum instead of stretching their lead to more that a score. However the decision was soon fully vindicated as, after infringements from the Bideford pack, the referee awarded a penalty try. Poynton converted and Oke were two scores ahead with 15 minutes left.

Bideford came again and were hunting a losing bonus point. Okehampton failed to clear their lines on a couple of occasions.

The home defence was resolute though, and even the late sin binning of prop Nicky Martin failed to weaken their rearguard. Oke held out and gleefully kicked possession into touch to signal the match end.

So, after an unsurprisingly tight game against a useful Bideford side the Okes that are still on the fringes of the promotion race.