Torquay U16s 22

Okehampton U16s 29

THIS was the most important game of the season so far for Okehampton. Along with Tavistock, the two sides have a 100% record in the Fisherman’s League, with Torquay above Oke on points difference, so the stakes were high for both teams – and this showed in what was a high octane game.

The hosts kicked off and declared their intent with some strong tackling and series of well-worked phases to put the visitors under pressure. Physically bigger Torquay used their big forwards effectively to punch at Oke’s defence, setting up the platform from which to launch attack after attack. However, despite the differences in stature between many of the players, Oke kept Torquay out, with some big hits from Tom Arthurs, Will Risdon and Ethan Baker amongst the stand out defensive tackles, and were holding their ground in the scrum.

It was clear from the opening ten minutes that Torquay were going to be Oke’s toughest opponents so far, and it was only some handling errors from their backs that denied them an opening score.

The visitors could not get out of their half for a long time, with even the mercurial George Dickinson unable to find space on the wing.

Again and again Torquay came close to the Oke line, and again and again they were repelled.

The signs were looking ominous for Oke; this was compounded when Tom Arthurs, who had been having a great game, was carried off with a nasty ankle injury.

However, Oke reformed and battled on, and against the run of play a penalty saw the ball come out to Tom Stevens, who charged through to dot down and give them the lead. The home side struck back soon after with a penalty in front of Oke’s posts, from which they claimed three points. And they scored a converted try just on half time to lead 10-7 at the break.

Okehampton came out fighting and in an amazing 15 minutes they scored three great tries. Two were superb individual efforts from Noah Cracknell and George Dickinson, while Tom Stevens finished off some excellent work from the forwards, and the visitors ahead 10-22. Torquay drew level to leave the game poised on a knife-edge at 22-22 with seven minutes to go.

It really could have gone either way, but it was Okehampton who built an attack, and thanks to another titanic charge from Will Risdon and a great work in the ruck, James McCulloch got the ball to Ewan Northcott, who linked with Tom Stevens; he danced his way through tackles and over the line to score his hat trick. George D converted.

Oke held on for the last few minutes to win an epic battle 22-29. This was an incredible game that was exciting to watch, with both teams giving it everything to the final whistle. It was a huge team performance from Okehampton.