Devon merit one

Okehampton

seconds 45

Exmouth

seconds 10

HAVING secured the winners’s of the Devon Merit one title last weekend with a comprehensive victory at Barnstaple, Okehampton were looking to complete a magnificent season with a win over south coast rivals Exmouth.

Exmouth have dominated the Merit table in recent years and although the champions title was secure , the hosts were looking to not only avenge the only blemish on their record this season when the South Devon outfit inflicted the only defeat down at the Imperial Ground early in the season, but also to finish the season with a win.

From the kick-off Okehampton played against the slope with the early exchanges being inconclusive . The visitors were looking secure when in possession although defences ruled the roost throughout the first quarter .

Exmouth grabbed the initiative with a well taken penalty, earnt after a number of forward charges with some tidy offloading.

From the restart Oke went on the offensive and with possession proving secure from a well drilled pack, the backs were looking to strut their stuff . Centres Rory Honeychurch and Brandon Horn were feeding off some good distribution from fly half Luke Simmons but the Exmouth defence was proving equal to the task with the midfield door being slammed shut.

Astute awareness saw a change of approach and with either use of the blind side wingman or full back Kieran Lee – outstanding throughout – the overlap was created to create numerous threatening chances.

George Baker came off his wing to create the extra man and with the pass behind the decoy runner to find wingman John Short . Some terrific interplay and offloads saw the final pass find the mark for a terrific score loudly applauded by the healthy number of supporters, Luke Simmons added the extras.

The hosts now had the bit between their teeth but well organised defence was proving a difficult nut to crack.

Okehampton were now having to play with a high level of intensity and it took some great phases of play, maintaining possession against severe defensive pressure, before numerous well timed charges onto the flat ball saw Tom Srawbridge blast his way over the whitewash; Simmons again converted.

The restart fell short of the 10 metre mark and with the scrum option taken, number eight Liam Sampson picked up to feed Jack Davey. The afore mentiond Lee hit the line to break the defensive line, before feeding Baker for the winger to round the defence dotting down under the posts for Simmons to knock over for the extra two points. While this put the hosts in a comfortable position Exmouth responded well and some slick hands and an exhibition of powerful running from their impressive right wing saw the big player rip it up to finish under the posts for a converted try. With the slope advantage in the second period Oke looked to maintain the scoring habit and so it was with try from the irrepressable Rory Honeychurch finishing off a tidy break from fly half Luke Simmons being the pick of the bunch. Simmons finished the scoring with a try wide on the right with the excellent conversion capping a fine individual performance.

So there it was – a scintillating performance to finish off a very, very fine season. The champagne corks popped to start the celebrations of winning the Devon Merit one.

The plaudits for such a successful season with only one loss , should reflect not only the achievement of winning the Merit Table but also the way in which it has been done.

A terrific team spirit has seen the lads play some sublime rugby throughout a season that will be remembered for some time.