Okehampton U16s 58

Bideford U16s 17

WITH the pitch at Oaklands frozen Okehampton 16s hosted Bideford on the College pitch for the teams’ second match this season.

Despite it being a non-league game, expectations were high for when these teams play it is usually physical and competitive rugby.

The home side got off to a flying start with George Dickinson and Noah Cracknell linking for the opening try within three minutes. Ewan Northcott converted.

Good work from the forwards provided the platform for Kai Middleton to gather and dive over for Oke’s second, converted by Ewan.

Bideford found their rhythm soon after and got themselves up to Okehampton’s line, where they pounded the home side’s defence, eventually forcing a handling error, which they pounced on to score for 14-5.

The pendulum swung back in Oke’s favour shortly after, however, as they took control of the game starting with another well-worked forwards’ try, finished off by Barnaby Waddell. Ewan slotted home the conversion.

Another scorching run from winger George Dickinson garnered Oke’s fourth score, and following some more excellent forward pressure, including some typically powerful drives from Tom Stevens, Cracknell gathered a loose ball and claimed his second try of the match on the stroke of half time. Ewan converted both scores. 35-5. Oke got down to work straight away after the restart with full back James Judd’s cross field run setting up George D to cross for his second.

Scrum half James McCulloch had a great game and worked well with his forwards – Brad Bourner, Will Risdon, Dan Turney, Greg Solkin, Kallum Dennett, Mo Stevens and Ethan Baker, who all continued delivering the donkey work with some strong carries and top notch tackling.

All the hard work eventually lead to player of the match Waddell bursting through to dot down for his second. Ewan converted and Oke were in command, leading 47-5.

Bideford looked for openings, but Okehampton’s defence held firm, with Zac Bell mopping up well to foil an attack close to the posts. Eventually clearing their lines, Oke themselves went deep into Bideford territory where George Harding delivered a lovely pass to Marcus Hayes, who splashed down in style for his debut try and loud cheers from the home spectators.

Winger George D nabbed his hat trick with a blistering break from half way to score beneath the posts. Following Ewan’s conversion Oke were ahead 58-5 and could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas, but it was still a little disappointing to see the team allow Bideford grab two quick tries before the final whistle.

Nevertheless, this was another excellent team performance from Okehampton, who see their unbeaten run continue.

Crediton U15s 10

Okehampton U15s 28

WITH cancellations and Christmas behind them, the young Okehampton side travelled to Crediton having not played since early December. 

Okehampton started in their normal slow mode, and some loose tackling saw Crediton open the scoring minutes into the match. 

The visitors woke up and started to gel, creating chances with forwards, Jack Rutley, Sonny Luxton, James Stevens, and Michael Stevens having great games and putting in some hard tackles.  Fifteen minutes in, good handling and a strong run from Michael Stevens saw the offload to Greg Haste, who put his foot down to open the scoring for Okehampton. 

Just on half time, a break from Joshua Burgoyne saw him pop the ball out to Joshua McCulloch to score. 

Oke started the second half well, with their pressure on the Crediton defence rewarded when five minutes in a penalty advantage was picked up quickly by Joshua Burgoyne to score.  Crediton did not give up and replied with a try of their own shortly after.

With ten minutes to go a lovely passage of play from Okehampton saw a break from Greg Haste, supported by Will Cunningham, with a well run line by Saul Holliday passed to Joshua Burgoyne to score under the posts. 

This was a great team performance by the Oke side and gave them a well deserved win and a lot of confidence. Conversions:  Will Cunningham (4)

Okehampton U13s 25

Bideford U13s 45

THIS was an exciting game in which all the Okehampton lads gave everything and had some good tries scored by Jacob (3), Sam and Ethan as well as good, effective tackling all round.

Seth and Oli for Oke showed good sportsmanship, as they were loaned to Bideford, who were short of players. It was good to see some of the less experienced players getting stuck in - Alfie, Luke, Nathan, all had a good game and Lewis made a determined run fending off some harsh tackles along the way.

Alex was superb, making some great tackles and one of his best moves was a fast tap-and-go which took the ball into dangerous ground for Bideford; they successfully counter-attacked but Okehampton quickly got it back, took it to the line and as Bideford thwarted attempts, in quick succession, by Alex, Cameron and Tyler to ground it, they each offloaded it well. It was a tense few seconds during which Bideford momentarily snatched the ball before Sam gallantly ripped it back and triumphantly set it down as well-deserved second try.

Overall, Oke played a determined and confident game which helped keep the gap in the scoreline under reasonable control. Sam Priday was Oke’s player of the match and shone for the whole game, with excellent rucking, tackling and relentless determination, as well as his skilful contribution to the final score.

Tavistock U10s 14 tries

OPM U10s 1 try

TAVISTOCK showcased some superb rucking skills in this match, with a strong display in both defence and attack against Old Plymouth Mannameadians.

Straight from the kickoff, great rucking from Tavistock’s Ernie and William A sent Matthew through for the first try. There was some lovely pop passing between William TY, George and William A which tee’d up William A for the first of two tries in the game. Rafferty was excellent in support, rucking well.

Ernie was a powerhouse, like a terrier with his tackling and rucking and was rewarded with two tries. There was some excellent rugby from James, who was a strong tackler and read the game well to run through a hat-trick of tries.

William TY showed some great supporting play, was always there at the back of a ruck and bustled through to score a try of his own.

Tavistock read the game well this week and were quick to pick up loose ball. Dominic was a menace to the OPMs offensive, snatching up a dropped ball and racing through to score.

Gabriel scored a cheeky try when he took the opportunity to dive on a spilled ball by OPMs right on the try line and Finlay raced through with a dropped ball to put himself on the scoresheet.

Dylan was fearsome in his tackling, working well to rip the ball and was rewarded with a try. George threw in some try-saving tackles and set up a number of the tries and Harry used his turn of speed to run half the length of the pitch to touch down the final try of the match..