Merit

Barnstaple Colts 10

Okehampton 39

THE visitors played up the slight slope in the first half and were soon enjoying the better of possession and territory. Although the line out was misfiring in the early stages, the Okes forwards were dominant in the loose and providing the backs with plenty of time and possession to challenge the resolute Barnstaple defence.

The pressure eventually told when the home back line were caught offside and Craig Dennis slotted the kick for the first score. From the restart Oke maintained the pressure and having fielded a loose clearing kick , good interplay and handling saw centre Sam Vincent dot down for Dennis to convert.

The visitors began to move the ball through hand at every opportunity. On the occasion when kicking was necessary half backs Fogerty and Ewen looked assured with the boot gaining good ground and putting the home side under pressure with some effective tactical strikes.

The ongoing tide of attacks brought further reward with Vincent again crossing the line for his second try with Dennis converting. With confidence high Oke began to over elaborate. A drop in concentration by the visitors allowed Barnstaple, who until this point had been subdued an opening and just before half time they crossed the Okehampton line in the corner to bring the half time score to 5-17.

The second half started with the visitors in far too relaxed mood and from some careless play, Barum kicked the loose ball through and won the foot race for the line for their second try bringing them right back into the game.

This was a wake up call for Oke and after setting about regaining control of the game, number 8 Dean Folland picked up from the base of the scrum and drove his way over the line for his side's third try, which Dennis again converted. Props Thom White and Felix Gardner bludgeoned their way back into the home 22. After several phases had been defended well, fly half Sam Ewen jinked his way across the whitewash for the bonus point score, again converted by Dennis.

There were further tries for Oke scrum half James Baulch and U16s Billy Searle with the latter being the result of some superb handling and a great offload from winger Jordan Cornthwaite.

This result consolidates the Okes position at the top of the table. Jake Barber and Dean Abrams were superb in the second row and the U16s contingent of Callum Pillivant, Liam Sampson, Pat Nash, Will Cooper and Billy Searle made telling contributions.