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Okehampton Colts 12

Tavistock Colts 20

THE reverse fixture earlier in the season proved to be an arm-wrestle between the powerful Okehampton pack and the spritely Tavistock backs, in which the latter eventually prevailed by two points.

A similar encounter was anticipated at a dank and dark Simmons Park on Saturday although the Okes’ hopes were dented somewhat when the game had to take place with uncontested scrums. The visitors arrived with 14 players and were short of a full front row although this did not diminish the physicality of the opening exchanges.

The early loss through injury of skipper Greg Daniel was a further blow to Okehampton,

Tavistock took the lead with a try from Toby Teague after putting Okehampton under pressure with some high kicks and fast chasing, forcing handling errors. The conversion was missed but a penalty soon after made it 8-0 to the visitors.

Tavistock Colts’s defensive line speed was excellent and Ed Nettleship and Luke Lewandowski were marshalling the line well. Zac Gorton was also protecting and digging the ball out.

Despite some strong ball-carrying from the impressive Barnaby Waddell and George Ogborne  by the home side, there was no further score in the first period.

Early in the second half the hosts did get off the mark when Ogborne forced his way over the whitewash after a series of pick and drives. Ben McKenna-Smith added the extras.

A second try soon followed when Euan Northcott hacked on a loose Tavistock pass in midfield and won the foot race to the line. The conversion went astray but the Okes’ led for the first time in the match at 12-8.

With ten minutes remaining the visitors Reuben Noy Scott who lit the spark that galvinised the Tavistock team with some blistering runs, as well as some hard graft from the forwards Archie Allen, Joe Burbage and Robin Bickley.

A break to the wing by Jason Blake lead to a number of rucks that saw Toby score his second try.

Despite plenty of huffing and puffing Oke never really looked like getting back in front and Tavistock deservedly sealed the win when the Toby Teague completed his hat-trick from another five-metre scrum with the final play.