Western Counties West

Okehampton 17

Teignmouth 49

OKEHAMPTON visited Teignmouth who are riding high in the league, lying second to Ivybridge who are certain of promotion this season. Teignmouth are looking like strong contenders for the play-off position. The pitch was dry and dusty in parts, lacking in grass over large areas, however, the conditions made for an open, running game.

A superb Teignmouth kick-off hung in the air long enough for their pack to collect the ball almost unchallenged; their pack then delivered quick ball from the ruck and they scored under the posts after only 25 seconds. The simple conversion gave them a seven point lead. Following the restart the Teignmouth pack set up a ruck and retained the ball through several phases, finally delivering quick ball to their backs who passed briskly down the line to put the left winger in for a try in the corner on three minutes. With the conversion missed the score of 12-0 completed a disastrous start for the Okehampton side.

Okehampton then retained the ball from the restart and settled into their game. The backs ran good lines to put Matt Dennis clear to score near the posts, Jordan Petherbridge added the extra points to take the score to 12-7.

The Oke backs continued to show excellent skills and when fly half Petherbridge made a low kick into space from his own 22 could have gone clear to score but was beaten by the bounce of the ball. From the resulting line out, the Teignmouth hooker overthrew the ball but won it back from the ruck. A good passing movement across the field saw their backs produced a try in the right hand corner to take the score to 17-7.

From the restart, following some interplay, the Teignmouth pack took a hand, and powered over for a try and with the conversion the visitors led 23-7 after 23 minutes.

The pendulum then swung Okehampton's way and they pressed forward for a period and retained the ball from the ruck, and producing good passing movements but were unable to press home their attack. The Teignmouth pack won the lineout and the ball was passed quickly to set up a score just before half time to take the score to 29-7.

In the second half the end to end movements continued. From the kick off Okehampton secured the ball and set up an attack on the right and Luke Honeychurch went over for a try. Petherbridge added the extras to take the score to 29-12.

The Okes continued to press forward and were awarded a penalty for their efforts, but the kick went just wide of the posts. Soon after Teignmouth took a quick tapped penalty and set up an attack on the left side of the field which resulted in their winger scoring in the corner to make the score 39-12.

From the restart Okehampton came back on the attack but play broke down near the home side's 22 metre line and Garry Sizmur was sent to the sin bin for an infringement at the ruck.

The Teignmouth kicker slotted the penalty to take the score to 42-12. The Okehampton players did not give up and continued to press forward strongly though were never quite able to convert possession into points. Teignmouth won the ball at a break down in play and then attacked down the right to score again in the corner. This time the conversion kick went over and made it 49-12.

Oke were awarded a scrum and quick ball from Joey Bruce passing to the right set up winger Rob Fishleigh for a score in the corner. The game ended soon after with the score at 49-17 to Teignmouth.

The Okehampton pack had played with spirit and some skill. The pack never gave up, and the backs ran strongly and ran some good lines, but they never quite matched their opposition who finished deserved winners on the day.

n The last game of the season for the Okes is against Penryn at home on Saturday, April 26, kick off 3pm.

There will be a members' lunch in the clubhouse that day, 12.30pm for 1pm. Lunch will cost £7.50 but £5 for 12 years old and younger.

Please advise Dave Potter of numbers attending on 07513 006180 or email [email protected]">[email protected].

n The club also have two big events in May. On Saturday, May 10 club President Rob Ewen will host his second President's Day with a Festival of Rugby. The Colts are set to play a Devon U17 team, then the Okehampton U12s will play the Redruth RFC U12s team. Finally there is the big game between an Okehampton first XV and the President's XV which will feature players from around the county.

There will be a buffet dinner in the evening. Tickets at £30 per head also cover the entrance to the ground for the matches. Contact Dave Potter for tickets.

Ground entrance for the three games will be £7 but £5 for senior citizens and U18s while U16s are free.

Funds raised will be split between the club and the Royal Marines' Charitable Trust. Later in the month the club is holding its presentation night dinner and dance. This will be a black tie event with tickets at £12.50 each, available from Dave Potter 01837 55060 or Ian Langbridge 07900198113.