Devon Cup Quarter Final

Okehampton 19

Teignmouth 7

OKEHAMPTON are through to the last four of the Devon Cup, with a prospective home tie against Sidmouth or Bideford after victory in a tight encounter.

After last week’s open thriller on a firm surface at Weston, Okes ran out on a grey Dartmoor afternoon knowing conditions would ensure this would be a tighter affair. Okes started brightly as they began with the slope and wind advantage and they soon had their first score on the board.

Only four minutes were on the scoreboard when, after several strong phases, the ball reached fly half Rhys Palmer. The young number ten saw a gap and marched through it before stepping past the full back to cross beside the posts. Centre Richie Friend landed the simple conversion to give the hosts a perfect start.

This early score seemed to make the Okes a little over-confident and they threw away several promising positions as they dominated the first quarter. After 25 minutes the home side snaffled a second try, as they looked to build a lead whilst having the wind and slope in their favour.

This time it was young hooker Jake Shin who crossed the whitewash, diving over the short side after his fellow forwards had made the hard yards. The conversion was wide, though, and the Okes needed another score before the interval to establish the sizeable lead their dominance merited.

Unfortunately the last 15 minutes of the half brought needless penalties and too many handling errors, which resulted in the score remaining at 12-0 at the break.

Oke made three changes at the interval but it was the Teigns who looked the sharper side after the break.

Missed tackles only a minute into the second half saw the visitors reduce the arrears after their second rower powered over wide out on the right flank. An excellent touchline conversion made it 12-7 and Okes knew they were in a contest.

The Teigns began to use their lumpy pack to carry well in the damp conditions and they held sway throughout the next 20 minutes, although the Okes’ defence held firm to repel all threats that arose.

Knock ons and turnovers prevented the Okes from getting any real momentum, and it wasn’t until the last ten minutes that the home crowd saw anything to raise their spirits.

Okehampton were awarded a penalty chance with less than five minutes remaining, but the attempted kick from Gary Sizmur fell short.

Out of nowhere, Oke produced some decent rugby to kill the game off.

Flanker Simon Cox hacked on and regathered up the left flank. When the ball was recycled and moved, right centre Richie Friend straightened the line before offloading to Rob Fishleigh, running a typically astute support line.

The wingman crossed midway out to seal the victory.

Richie Friend added the extras and the whistle went shortly after the restart.

The match was by no means a classic, but a welcome home win in difficult conditions.

The sides will meet again, same time same place, next week in the league encounter.

Everyone will be hoping for drier conditions as both sides look to cement their mid table security, kick off at 2.30pm.

Pictures by Dave Potter