Western Counties West

Okehampton 36

Exeter University 17

THIS was a fantastic win by Okehampton, in a cracking match, which saw the patient home crowd finally rewarded.

It seemed like an eternity since there was a first team match at home, but after this enthralling contest even the most frustrated of home supporters would admit it was worth the wait.

The weather was crisp and cold, whilst a strong, bitter northerly breeze blew directly up the pitch in the direction that the hosts would play in the first forty.

The Okes started slowly and when combined with the usual spritely first ten from the students, things looked ominous for the hosts.

University drew first blood with only ten minutes when they  caught Oke out with an overlap up the right flank. Strong running right winger Sam Manhire being the beneficiary of Okes’ lack of defensive width. The conversion was missed.

The Okes began to find their feet, and on their first entry into Uni territory home skipper Tom Powell missed with a penalty chance. In fact it was from another home attack that the visitors extended their lead. An Oke attack broke down deep in the Uni 22, but a counter attack eventually resulted in a corner try for Exeter scrum half Ducourbeau. The conversion was again awry and Oke trailed 10-0 after 18 minutes.

An Oke win at this point looked unlikely, but for the remainder of the match the boys in maroon and amber excelled. The defence tightened up, and as possession became more prevalent, the Uni visitors came under severe pressure.

Okes brought on player coach Gareth Evans, and from the next scrum a penalty was awarded and Tom Powell slotted it to reduce the arrears.

The home back row were in imperious form and they began to strongly influence the match in the second quarter. First home number eight Tom McGratton nearly conjured a try from deep in his own half. Then, on 33 minutes, he combined neatly with rampaging flanker Lima Sampson, who was eventually hauled down just short of the try line. Good support play from the returning Dan Fogerty saw the young stand off plough over beneath the crossbar. Powell converted to level the scores at ten apiece.

As half time approached a short passage of play turned the match significantly in the Okes’ favour. Firstly Oke relinquished a promising attacking position, and from a swift University riposte the home side were grateful to full back Gareth Espin for a try saving tackle in the bottom right corner.

The visitors suddenly took a quick line out in their own half. This completely backfired though as alert home centre Luke Honeychurch intercepted a pass and strode away, eventually feeding Espin who gleefully crossed to put Oke 17-10 ahead at the halfway mark.

Oke had the slope advantage second half but had the gusting breeze to contend with. Player coach Evans was now off the field again due to injury, but the side was boosted by the return of second rower Neil Perrott.

Young colts scrum half Noah Nash impressed with his swift service and astute box kicking, as Oke strived for the next score to consolidate their position.

After Skipper Powell came up short with an ambitious penalty shot midway through the  second period , Oke finally got the vital third score.The students pulled down a maul illegally and lost a forward to the bin as a result. Oke opted for another set scrum, and the visitors were powerless to prevent a pushover try grounded by no 8 Tom McGratton. Powell converted to make it 24-10 tothe Okes.

It was not long before Oke camped in their 22 looking for the bonus point score. It soon arrived when Oke were awarded another five yard scrum and McGratton repeated a pushover try, Powell scoring the extras.

The students came again in search of a bonus point of their own, and after a break by stand off Landray they gained their third try via a second five pointer for scrum half Ducourbeau.

Into the dying minutes the students pressed one last time. A score looked likely but home replacement winger Ryan Lee stole an interception and demonstrated enough pace to see of the flagging Uni cover to seal the match.

After an inauspicious start , to do the double with a bonus point, against the league leaders is a significant achievement. Great credit is due to all involved