Devon and Cornwall

Truro 10

Okehampton 3

THE atrocious weather meant this was one of few games to take place this weekend. However, the conditions ensured a game lacking in quality or excitement resulted. Okehampton gained a losing bonus point but will be disappointed in their overall performance.

The first 20 minutes was Okes' best spell. They started brightly and really should have built up a decent lead. With the slight slope, they pressured the home defence into errors, and with advantage up front, they were thwarted several times close in. For all of the Okes' dominance in this period just brought a three point lead from the boot of fly half Carl Poynton.

Straight from the restart the visitors gathered cleanly, but no one took responsibility to put in the clearance kick that the position demanded; Truro gleefully pounced on this error as the Okes tried to run the ball from their own 20. A spell of pressure ensued which ended with an equalising kick from home stand off Jake Champion. The rest of the half was even as play became bogged down in the torrential rain, and mud bound surface.

In the second half, despite their scrum superiority, the Okes were having a torrid time at the lineout and were often put on the back foot by some astute tactical kicking from experienced ex Redruth scrum half Mark Richards.

The mud also created difficulties. The Okes found themselves defending a close range line out. and the pressure eventually saw home hooker Milliner crossed for a try that was converted by Champion for a seven point lead.

Okehampton made changes in an effort to up their game. Little impact was made though as play seemed entrenched in midfield for long periods.

The visitors tried to slot penalties and failed, and their backs were virtual spectators in attack as the conditions put paid to any hope of open rugby.

Truro effectively drove at the Okes fringe defence. Okehampton managed to hold on for a losing bonus point in defeat.

The young Okes' side will hopefully learn form this experience though as weather and tough away fixtures will undoubtedly arise again before the season's climax.