Western Counties West

Okehampton 17

Kingsbridge 5

AFTER a bad defeat at Torquay and several cancellations, Oke needed to put in a strong performance against promotion rivals Kingsbridge and they certainly did that.

Finally the weather relented enough for the Okes to enjoy some home comforts. After a long lay off a side was picked to make the most of the inevitable heavy conditions, and it paid off against a strong all round Kingsbridge outfit that consistently challenges at the top of Western Counties West season after season.

Kings are a solid unit that play phase possession effectively, but they lacked enough cutting edge to break through an Oke defence that was at its miserly best. Both sides played their best rugby while having to play up the slope; Oke started brightly and were soon testing the forward defensive resolve of their South Hams visitors.

Despite the lengthy covering of grass, the pitch was proving to be a slippery beast and forward drives were definitely the preferred order of the day for both teams. The home set scrum was solid throughout, the back row triumvirate outstanding, and with a decent supply of clean lineout ball, Oke were able to power forward on numerous occasions during the first quarter without actually crossing the whitewash. The only reward for the hosts in this period of superiority was a Tom Powell penalty kick after 18 minutes.

Kingsbridge responded, as expected, and despite winger Banfield missing a penalty from bang in front, they were soon ahead. On 27 minutes Oke conceded an unnecessary penalty and the visitors crossed via a catch and drive move from the resultant lineout. Prop Powell was credited with the touchdown, but Banfield was off target with his attempted conversion.

The hosts regrouped and spent much of the remainder of the half on the offensive. Powell potted another straightforward penalty to regain the lead on 37 minutes before Oke finally broke through for their first, and only try of the match.

It was right on the interval as Oke cleared a ruck on halfway; scrum half Joey Bruce combined well with number eight Tom McGratton to conjure up a nice chip and chase over the onrushing Kings’ defensive line. Oke recycled the ball swiftly after McGratton’s catch, and it came back to Bruce once more. The scrum half showed more astute vision as he grubbed ahead for the onrushing Gareth Espin. The home full back hacked on, and won the foot race to grab a valuable five pointer and an 11-5 interval lead for the maroon and ambers.

The Okes were perhaps guilty of sitting back in the second 40, allowing Kingsbridge too much ball, although the home defence stood firm. Kings spent long periods in the Okes half without ever really threatening a score.

Energy sapping conditions underfoot began to take their toll and both sides brought on replacement reinforcements. Flanker Simon Cox secured turnover ball that allowed Oke to enter the Kingbridge 22 for the first time in the half.

On 65 minutes Tom Powell stretched the score with a penalty.

In the last few minutes Oke were now secure in their victory. When they were awarded a penalty only metres in the opposition half Powell toe-poked it over to seal the win.