Tavistock U15s 12

Okehampton U15s 33

FOR the second week running Okehampton travelled away to find their opposition short on numbers. 

Agreeing to play twelve aside, Tavistock started strongly, scoring two tries in the first ten minutes, with Okehampton caught napping, despite the extra hour in bed! 

Fifteen minutes in, great handling saw the ball go out through the backs to put Jordan Hill, who had a superb game all around the park, over the line to open the scoring.  This was followed minutes later by another similar move, with Greg Haste scoring the try.

The first half was rounded off with the referee awarding Okehampton a penalty try, having seen a deliberate trip by Tavistock on Jordan Hill, who would otherwise have been clean through to score. 

The start of the second half was fairly even with some great defence by both teams, until a kick over the top of the Tavistock defence from Joshua Burgoyne, saw Saul Holliday chase, collect, break his tackle and cross the line to score. 

This entertaining game of rugby was brought to an end with Barnaby Waddell for Oke powering over the line to score from a well won lineout ball. 

South Molton U15s 24

Okehampton U15s 43

THE Okehampton team travelled to South Molton to find them with only 11 players.  The decision was made to play 13 aside, over four, 15 minute quarters, with Okehampton lending them two players per quarter. 

This at least provided the chance for everyone to get a game and an entertaining match was enjoyed by all. 

Tries for Okehampton came from Olly Northcott (1), Greg Haste (3), Saul Holliday (2) and Daniel Tomkins (1).  Conversions:  Joshua Burgoyne (4).  Well done to all the lads for giving their all no matter which shirt they were wearing.

Okehampton U11s 10

Tavistock U11s 30

IT was a clear sunny autumnal day as Tavistock travelled to their neighbours Okehampton. Both teams had large squads of 20 plus and the decision was made to play four quarters whereby the whole team could be changed after each quarter.

The first quarter saw both sides selecting strong teams which led to a higher contested game but ultimately both teams cancelling each other out. It was Okehampton who had the majority of the possession and spent large periods in the Tavistock half. It was credit to the visitors’ Ted Wilkinson and Sam Perkins for the bravery of the tackles they put in, to keep the score at nil-nil.

The second quarter saw whole sale changes from both squads as players were switched around but Okehampton finally broke the deadlock and scored early on.

Tavistock fought back and Amelie White worked hard to secure the ball and scrum half Alba Stewart did tremendously well to quickly dig the ball out from the breakdown. William Garside was direct with his runs and Ethan Baker started to weave his way through the Okehampton side.

However, Oke came back again to score a second try to take the score to 10-nil after the second quarter.

Switching the teams back around again in the third quarter, gaps started to appear in the Okehampton defence and Tavistock’s forward Joel Blake took a pass from Solley Hunter and then broke the Okehampton line to score. This seemed to spur Tavistock on and immediately Sam Perkins was rewarded for chasing down a wayward pass from Okehampton to score in the corner. The end of the third quarter and the scores were level at 10-10.

In the final quarter and Tavistock’s confidence grew with William Garside running straight through to score a great try. Sam Palmer then drove down the middle to score. Amelie grabbed a great pass from Alba to score a fifth try for Tavistock. Archie Chalk dominated the rucks for Tavistock driving through to disrupt the Oke play and making a number of  tackles which ultimately gave Laird Whitford the opportunity to score a sixth try for Tavistock.

It was a great squad performance and ultimately the strength and depth of the Tavistock team won a closely contested game. It was Alba Stewart who demonstrated great bravery in her tackles was player of the match.

Okehampton U9s 9 tries

Tavistock U9s 6 tries

IN the first of three exciting games Okehampton opened their account with Jacob shimmying through the opposition to score.

Henry was rewarded with a brace of tries after some strong running. After the restart, determined tackling by Zara and Mikey for Oke released Jacob to break out of defence to score again. Oke continued to press the opposition, forcing mistakes.

Rocco pounced on loose ball, passed to Marla who set up Toby to score in the corner. Unrelenting tackling by Oke released Zara to score a well worked and popular try. Tavistock, unbowed, ran in a conciliation try as the half time whistle blew with Oke 6-1 up.

Tavistock began the second half strongly bringing the score back to 6-2. Oke continued with fierce tackling. Marla tackled well to help Todd to force them into touch. From their own one metre line, accurate passing by Okehampton saw the ball switch between Riley and Charlie then onto Zara, despite in pain, released the ball for another try.

Okehampton U9s 6 tries

Tavistock U9s 3 tries

IN game two both coaches switched players around. Despite brave tackling by Riley and Mikey for Oke, Tavistock could not be stopped.

A period of slick passing in midfield by Okehampton followed with Mikey, Todd and Henry moving the ball across the pitch to allow Toby to squeeze over the line.

Okehampton U9s 5 tries

Tavistock U9s 6 tries

LOOSE passes by Tavistock were punished by Oke when Jacob seized the ball and danced diagonally through his opponents to score in the far corner.

A looping pass from Okehampton was intercepted for a simple Tavistock run in.

The game was now more even. Stanley tackled and held onto his opponent like a limpet. Marla showed gritty determination. Tavistock were slowed and soaked up pressure.

Tavistock were rewarded with a blistering try in the dying seconds giving them a win.