Western Counties West

Penryn 36

Okehampton 12

OKEHAMPTON never really hit any great heights throughout this match. The Okes do not have great record at Penryn, but started well and tested the Cornish side out wide throughout the match. Unfortunately they were a distinct second best up front, as the Okes' pack had a bad day.

The Okes had already created a couple of half chances, playing up the slight slope, before Penryn took the lead. Poor defence around the fringes, allowed the opposition an easy score to lead 7-0 after ten minutes.

Okehampton missed a penalty chance, the first of two in the half, before Penryn struck again midway through the first 40 minutes. Non-existent defence at a lineout allowed the home seven to waltz through untouched to make it 12-0 to Penryn,

The Okes then had a period of possession and approaching the interval they reduced the arrears. Gary Sizmur was the creator. A kick ahead was regathered on the wing by Gareth Espin who fed Sizmur in support; he showed a clean pair of heels to the home defence to cross under the posts. Searle converted, and it was only 12-7 at the break. The match was already panning out to be Penryn's powerful pack against Okes backs.

The second period began well for the Okes as they pounded away at the home try line. Eventually a defensive kick ahead was cleaned up by flanker Simon Cox, Espin was in support a cut a good line, Searle then took play on and fed Sizmur who raced in up the right flank for the equalising score.

The Okes were now in a great position to push on for victory, but then stood back and allowed the home pack to completely dominant them for the remainder of the match. Set piece and loose play were now being controlled by the home eight, as the visitors failed to win any ball to feed their threating backs.

Penryn's forwards were getting their offload game going, and Oke could not prevent them getting in behind their defence, and they ultimately ran out of defenders. Four second half tries followed for the hosts as the Okes failed to impose themselves defensively, and were starved of the ball in attack.

A final score of 36-12 was harsh, but the Okes regressed back into their bad old ways from earlier in the season in the second half, and their performance in the last 35 mins got what it deserved.

The only real bright spark for the visitors being Sizmur's performance after a lengthy injury induced lay off.