Teignmouth and Tavistock U16s 12

Okehampton U16s 68

A DEPLETED Okehampton side travelled with only 13 players, and were then surprised to arrive to find their hosts only had eleven.

Teignbridge forfeited the league result by borrowing one of the Oke’s players in each half, but that could not prevent a landslide victory for the visitors. In beautiful conditions Oke’s backs thrived in the open spaces, and ran in a total of ten tries against their hosts who never gave in despite their adversity.

By half time the Okes had established a 33-12 lead after an early brace from Greg Daniel —playing in the centre due to the reshuffle. That double was matched by rangy centre Harry Cole, making a welcome return to the side, as he showed great pace to twice outstrip all the cover from deep inside his own half.

The last try of the first period saw scrum half Corey Holliday cross after a show and go break from the Teign’s 22. Ben Mckenna- Smith demonstrated his kicking prowess as he landed four conversions.

The second period followed a similar pattern as Oke struck regularly from deep to outpace the home covering defence. Centre Harry Cole added two more long range tries to take his match tally to four. However, even that impressive collection was usurped by Greg Daniel, who added a second half hat trick of tries as the Teigns failed to deal with the centre’s power and pace. Fly half Ben Mckenna-Smith landed all five conversions.

Okehampton U14s 31

Cullompton U14s 28

THE young Okehampton welcomed an unknown quantity, the rarely beaten Cullompton team, and put in the performance of their season so far, in an exciting thriller of a game. 

The match was fast and furious from the outset, with Cullompton scoring from a penalty advantage in the first minute; Okehampton replied almost immediately with their own penalty advantage, seeing Greg Haste storm through a gap in the centre to score. 

Cullompton’s backs were slick and dangerous on the attack and a quick ball from the scrum after ten minutes, saw them score under the posts. Not to be outdone, Okehampton utilised their own quick ruck ball to see Jeronimo Quincke, in only his second game, steam down the wing, breaking two tackles, to score in the corner. 

The end of the first half saw Oke defending with all their might, before giving away a silly penalty to allow Cullompton another score under the posts. 

The second half did not disappoint, with Okehampton drawing first blood through a quick tap and go penalty from Joshua Burgoyne.  Five minutes later an interception from Cole Pengelly out to James Close saw Okehampton advance into Cullompton’s 22, where Joshua Burgoyne utilised quick ruck ball to score again.  Cullompton responded quickly with a try under the posts.  In a nail biting end to the game, Saul Holliday picked up from the back of the scrum, well supported by Barnaby Waddell whose strength and power saw him over the line to seal the game.  Okehampton’s pack were solid, with the ever improving Matthew Denning putting in a great performance, as did Jack Rutley and Sonny Luxton, with the latter running some great lines.  The score may well have been different had it not been for superb tackling from Greg Haste. The whole squad should be proud of themselves for putting on a great display of determined and entertaining rugby.  Conversions:  James Close (2), Joshua Burgoyne.

Crediton U13s 15 tries

Okehampton U13s 19 tries

THE home team, with a large pack, forced the first two tries of the match playing down a large slope. They peeled off mauls to create both tries but neither try was converted and in the end this proved the difference.

Okehampton never seemed out of it and following some committed tackling and several phases of close rucks, a quick ball created enough space for the fullback to show his speed and strength to run in a try from the half way line. He was then the beneficiary of some good backs’ play that spread the Crediton defence; the fullback needed no second invitation and burst through to score his second try — both of which he converted.

The second half saw Okehampton playing with the slope and a clever kicking game supported by close rucking created their third score. Crediton showed spirit and hit back with their own break over the line but it was too late. Okehampton tackled hard and finished on the attack deep in the Crediton half. 

Okehampton U12s 3 tries

Cullompton U12s 4 tries

THIS was a bit like lighting damp paper for Okehampton – disappointing and frustrating to start with, as promising little sparks were repeatedly snuffed-out by a far more spirited Cullompton. Possibly daunted by playing on a larger pitch than usual, Okehampton seemed in disarray.

After some neat passes between Aedan, Matt and Marcus, Oke showed promise, but Marcus ran straight into trouble and released the ball to Aedan. Out of the following ruck, Ethan raced across the pitch, with Josh covering him all the way to the try line to ground the ball. A superb kick from Matt was caught off the bounce by Josh, who set off for the try line but was swamped by Cullompton’s defence.

As Cullompton hoofed the ball past the centre line, Oke’s Matt was streets ahead of the chase to catch it. When Cullompton regained possession, Isaac made a stunning tackle, ripping the ball and making a good run. Another run from Ethan came close to a try but he was pulled out.

A penalty near Cullompton’s try line, later enabled the opposition to push Okehampton out of the way and score. There was some good tackling in the first half from Seth, Cameron, Marcus, Aedan, Isaac, Luca, Oliver and Ethan.

Oke improveed in the second half and there were good tackling from Alex, Aedan, Cameron, Oliver, Harry and Sam S, as well as another try from Ethan.

Only a few minutes before the final whistle, Isaac took the ball from a tidy pass and steamed the whole length of the pitch to score Okehampton’s third and final try.

Cullompton U11s 20

Okehampton U11s 50

CAPTAINED by Shea, Okehampton started on the attack, but Cullompton looked as if they were not going to be a rollover.

The home side opened the score as their player dodged his way through the Oke pack for the first try.

Shortie and Ed for Oke tackled anything that crossed their path while Lachs grabbed the ball and prevented the home side scoring while Saul tackled well. However Cullompton scored again and kept up the pressure before Saul scooped up the ball and pounded through for his second try.

A scrum in the centre saw Shea pick the ball for Oke, pass to Will, then Ed and on to Adam for a charge down the pitch for a try.

The second quarter opened with a chargedown from Dan for this first try. Jacob worked well with some good catches and brave tackles. Ben and Chris were standing their ground and Finn showed some true fighting spirit.

Jacob kept pushing through and Archie pounced on a loose ball preventing it from going into touch whilst players came at him from all directions; he then appeared from under a pile of players ready to go again. A maul followed by a try for Adam.

A kick from Cullompton was swiftly caught by Adam who weaved towards the tryline, but had the ball knocked out of his hands just before he got there. However, Saul found his path blocked and passed to Shea, who claimed the try. Another pass from Saul to Dan saw another try for his fourth of this quarter.

For Okehampton Shortie put in some good tackles while Callum, Toby and Lachs all worked hard in the rucks and scrums.

In the third quarter Josh ran almost half the pitch before being bought down. A further try was scored by Dan.

The final quarter saw Jacob tackling with determination and Alex put in a try saving tackle into touch.

The closing try went to the home side. This was a great game for Oke, where every player put in a huge amount of effort.

Cullompton U10s 2 tries

Okehampton U10s 0

THE Okehampton Blues kicked and saw some good teamwork to try and drive Max J over the line; however, they were not able to get the ball down.

Cullompton caught them off guard with a swift run down the pitch to score their first. The whole team demonstrated superb tackling throughout the match, particularly Max B. Billy also made a terrific tap tackle to prevent Cullompton from surging through to score. As much as the lads tried to score, Cullompton’s defence proved too strong for them and the home team went on to score another.

Cullompton U10s 2 tries

Okehampton U10s 2 tries

OKEHAMPTON started strongly with some great rucking and mauling from Cain who ripped the ball and popped it out to Jack W for him to make a strong run to score.

Cullompton answered soon after as the game went from one end to the other.

Lewis made some good attacking runs for Oke while Cam S was on form again today with his driving runs and strong tackling. Callum R also impressed with driving the ball forward and tackling. Jack W went on to score another but the boys could not hold onto their lead.

Cullompton U10s 1 try

Okehampton U10s 2 tries

CULLOMPTON started fast and caught the visitors on the hop with a darting run to score from the kick off.

Oke soon woke up with a quick break from Oliver evened the score. Freddie displayed some great tackling along with Shea and Daniel to deter Cullompton from scoring. Harry doubled the lead before the home side pulled one back. Jack S was unlucky again not to score with a great run down the wing only to be stopped before the try line.

Cullompton U10s 3 tries

Okehampton U10s 1 try

OKEHAMPTON Reds kept up the pressure with some good attacking runs from Tyler and Cain. Jack W managed to put down his third try of the day, but no matter how hard they tried they could not increase their score.

Okehampton U10s 2 tries

Crediton U10s 0

OKEHAMPTON’S blue team started strongly with some good runs from Freddie, Oliver and Max J. Max J made a break with Crediton failing to make any impact for Oke to score their first try. The boys carried on the momentum with Max B showing off his great driving skills, there was also some good tackling from Oliver and Freddie. Freddie went on to score the second.

Okehampton U10s 3 tries

Crediton U10s 1

THE red team carried on where the blues left off in this game. There was some determined tackling demonstrated by Jack W, Jack T, Cain and Cameron S throughout the game.

Cain made some superb runs before Jack W made a breakaway run to score his first try of the day. Cain then quickly doubled the score. Oke let their guard down slightly for the visitors to score before a driving run from Cameron S led to Jack W putting down his second.

Okehampton U10s 4 tries

Crediton U10s 0

OLIVER for Oke made a superb run before being thwarted just before the try line; the rest of the team drove well behind Oli to push him over for his first try. Cameron W made some strong runs while Jack S was unlucky not to score his first try with a superb run up the wing only to be tackled into touch just before he could score. Daniel and Freddie showed some great tackling skills and runs. Oke scored three more tries from Max J, Harry and Matthew.

Okehampton U10s 10 tries

Crediton U10s 2 tries

JACK W for Oke stormed through from the kick off to put down the first try. The tries came thick and fast, with some good runs from Cameron S, Jack T and Cain and Callum R driving well with the ball which lead to Cain putting the ball over the line.

The boys all worked well with and for each other demonstrating great teamwork and fluid passing.

Tavistock U9s 8 tries

Saltash U9s 6 tries

TAVISTOCK regrouped well to come back strongly after Saltash went into an early two try lead. 

Some lovely tackling and passing between William A and Jack saw Jack through to score the first of his two tries. Dominic put a lot of pressure on the Saltash attack, making some great tackles and running through for a hat-trick of tries.

Good teamwork between Daniel, George M and William E kept the momentum going for Tavistock and George was rewarded with a try for his efforts. Lovely running rugby from William A again saw him run the length of the pitch twice to touch down. There were some good passing between Ernie, Austin, William R and Jack kept Saltash at bay.

Tavistock U9s 4 tries

Saltash U9s 5 tries

THIS was an evenly fought contest with some great defensive tackling from Tavistock. Matthew opened the scoring for the home side, scooping up a loose ball and driving over the line.

A superb partnership built up between Daniel and Michael with some fearless tackling, but they also worked together well on the attack, with Daniel scoring a hat-trick of tries. There was some good driving by Tavistock, with William TY, Daniel, Jack and William E making some great tackles and Lewis, Matthew and Michael putting in a fluid combination of passes.

Okehampton U9s 10 tries

Cullompton U9s 18 tries

OKEHAMPTON travelled to Cullompton with a team of 12 players. They had a strong start with the first try scored by Phoebe.

There was some great tackling by Oke especially from Ollie, Seb and James. Oke had a strong defence which led to Conlead finishing off a good team try.

The second game was a slower pace; Oke kept up with more superb tackling which kept Cullompton at bay. There was some good off loading by Ollie and Roman which led to a try by James. Amy also made a great tackle.

Overall this was a gradual improvement on last week’s match especially in the defence.