Okehampton U13s 5

Withycombe U13s 80

THIS was a good, clean game away for Okehampton to some of Devon’s finest. Oke’s vastly improved, low tackles were particularly well-demonstrated throughout the game by an ardent Alex and a keen Morgan. Withycombe dominated the possession against good pressure from Okehampton, scoring eight tries in the first half. Highlights of the first half included a convincing dummy by Morgan, a neat catch by Ethan as the opposition cleared the ball and Oke’s try of the match from Marcus.

Play was regularly punctuated by an onslaught of savage tackling which continued into the second half, as every player gave their all. An exciting few minutes evolved in the latter part of the second half, when the ball made another threatening visit to the Oke line. The defence was calculated and stealthy, along a faultless line Oke shouted and passed with precision and determination. The team gelled and the ball mechanically advanced to the opposing try line. Unfortunately for for Oke, Withycombe upped the ante and gained the ball in the nick of time. Okes battled on hard until the whistle and came close to increasing their score on occasions through determination and moments of excellent team-playing. Alex was Oke’s player of the match.

Tavistock U11s 50

Exeter Chiefs U11s 45

EXETER Chiefs U11s arrived at Sandy Park on a clear but windy Sunday to play Tavistock.

The first quarter saw Tavistock take the lead with two quick tries from Archie Davies and William White scored in either corner. There was then a period of stalemate as forwards Ted Wilkinson, Sam Palmer and Joel Blake all worked hard to try to break through the Exeter line. 

Scrum half Solly Hunter continued to get quick ball out and a try saving tackle from Sam Perkins helped Tavistock defend their position but they could not stop two late tries by Exeter to level the game.

The second quarter saw a change of squad but no loss in determination as Tavistock’s Ben Madar dived on the ball to create a ruck where Alba Stewart dug the ball out for Will Garside to score. A Luke Burbage mazy run helped set up another try for Tavistock as Sam Boyle scored in the corner. Exeter came back with a try from their front row player but Tavistock immediately struck back with a second try from Will and a direct run from their player of the match Rufus Mckenzie-Smith. Exeter managed another try from the same front row player but were now behind by two tries.

The third quarter saw Exeter score straight away, putting the pressure right back on Tavistock but a kick forward and a chase by Archie Wall meant Sam Perkins could score in the corner. The Chiefs scored again to close the gap back to just a single try going into the last quarter.

Tavistock struck with a hat-trick try from Will and a try for Ben Madar, but Exeter got one try back. Ben Richardson scored Tavistock’s final try meaning they had a three try lead which they needed as the Chiefs scored two more tries to just fall short of levelling the game.

This was a fine win for Tavistock.

Tavistock U10s 5 tries

Exeter Chiefs U10s 6 tries

A REALLY hard fought, well matched game with Tavistock showing some excellent rucking skills. In a game of four quarters, the scores remained deadlocked at 0-0 after the first ten minutes, with neither side able to make much ground, the defence on both sides staying firm.

Excellent tackling from Ernie, Daniel, Finlay and Nathan and some ferocious rucking from Alistair and Edward kept the pressure on before James made a lovely run through before popping the ball back to William A to score his first of two. The two of them teamed up to great effect again before feeding the ball through to Daniel to score.

Great support play from Dylan and Harry and some crunching tackles from Dominic let Edward sweep up loose ball and run through and score. The game remained tight as Tavistock worked hard on their rucking. Powerful defensive work from William A and Daniel won the ball back for the home side, James and Alistair got it back for Finlay to weave through the Chiefs defensive line and score.

Okehampton U9s 1 try

Withycombe U9s 4 tries

THE visitors ran in two quick tries before Oke seized control of the ball. Oke moved it swiftly from wing to wing through every player’s hands before Ciaran spotted a gap and surged through to score. Oke were forced into some desperate defence as Withycombe stormed back at them. Ewan put in some huge tackles, folding up his opposite number like a deck chair. Withycombe made their possession count and pulled away with two extra tries. Dylan showed great sportsmanship to volunteer to play for the opposition to even up the numbers.

Okehampton U9s 4 tries

Withycombe U9s 1 try

HEAVY tackling caused the visitors to repeatedly spill the ball. Stanley proved himself adept at ferreting out the ball when it came loose and secured several turnovers one of which released Toby to outpace two defenders to score the opening try.

A second Oke try was swiftly added as Wilf seized on perfectly weighted pass from Jacob to rampage through the heart of the Withycombe defence. Withycombe hit back only to be stopped by a massive tackle from Lewis which allowed Lily to steal the ball and beat two players before passing the ball to Toby to score his second. The visitors scored but were denied a second by a last ditch flying tackle from Wilf speeding across from the opposite wing to force the player into touch just short of the line. Wilf was in the action again as his scything run resulted in the fourth and final try.

Okehampton U9s 2 tries

Withycombe U9s 2 tries

OKE really dominated game three and only some desperate defending and good use of the touchline by Withycombe kept them in the match. Wilf showed that he could go round players as well as through them with slinky skills to score both Oke tries. Hermione showed real bravery in the centre to throw herself into the tackle to keep the visitors at bay but with Oke spraying the ball around in search of a third try they got caught twice on the break right at the death to end as an entertaining draw.

Okehampton U9s 5 tries

Withycombe U9s 7 tries

A LOVELY pop pass from Marla allowed Thomas to take the ball at pace and swerve through a tightly packed opposition to score the opening try. Despite solid tackling from Mikey and Todd, Withycombe racked up regular scores. Oke fought back with a fine solo effort from Ewan bursting from the halfway line to score, followed by a winger’s special from Rocco. Two tries in quick succession from Ciaran put Oke level but Withycombe got two late scores on the final whistle to claim the victory.

Okehampton U9s 2 tries

Withycombe U9s 3 tries

THERE were big hits from both sides in midfield nullifying the attacking options. Withycombe finally broke through the Oke line but a flying cover tackle from Rocco brought the player down inches from the whitewash. Ewan pounced on the resulting loose ball and stormed the length of the pitch to score. The visitors struck back with two well taken tries before Todd with all the awareness of a top scrum half saw Ciaran in space on the wing and fired a bullet pass out of the tackle to set him free to score. Withycombe dragged it back to score on the final whistle to snatch the win.

Okehampton U9s 1 try

Withycombe U9s 2 tries

THIS proved a game too far for Oke, they lost none of their customary dedication to the tackle but just could not get enough decent possession to make something of the match. A single try in the corner for Wilf was scant reward for a great team effort to hold Withycombe at bay. As with previous games, Withycombe players were striving right to the last and ended up sealing a win when a draw seemed a more likely result.