Okehampton move up to third after exciting win

Report from Toby Daniel, Okehampton RFC

Okehampton 23pts Torquay Athletic 15

A cold, crisp afternoon saw third and fourth in the league lock horns in a muscular encounter that kept the large crowd entertained throughout. Oke ultimately came out on top, largely due to their smaller packs' dominance in the forward exchanges.

Torquay arrived in the midst of a good run of form. Oke knew the sticky conditions underfoot would not sit well with their usual open game, but they tried to move the ball in the opening minutes as they attacked down the slope from the off. Torquay defended well in the early parts of the match as they spent long periods in their own half. The home pack was performing well and it was the power of their scrummage that brought the opening score. Well marshalled from the rear by Steve Alford, they drove the much larger Torquay pack backwards, allowing the aforementioned number eight to cross for the first try. The conversion from fly half Kevin Dennis failed to dissect the uprights.

The Okes again entered Torquay's twenty two shortly afterwards, and this time the fly half was on target, as he slotted a straightforward three pointer to stretch the lead to 8-0 midway through the half. The pitch was beginning to cut up, and it was still Okehampton who were in the ascendancy. A kick ahead from the visitors was gathered cleanly by home full back Matt Dennis. He struck a hopeful up and under and set off in hot pursuit. Torquay made the cardinal error of letting the ball bounce; Dennis gratefully accepted the offer and raced clear of a bemused defence to cross under the posts. Sibling Kevin added the conversion, and at 15-0 Oke were comfortable and in command.

Things looked bleaker still for the visitors when they received a yellow card twenty five minutes in. As is often the case though, with a man advantage, errors crept into the home side's play, and Torquay forced a kickable penalty which was potted by full back James Wood to make the score 15-3 at the interval.

Both side made changes early in the second half and they were soon having an impact. Carl Poynton came on at fly half for the Okes, and as they continued to have the edge territorially, he slotted a penalty to stretch the lead. Torquay brought prolific try scoring prop Russ Morris into their front row, and he was soon asking questions of the home defence with some bulldozing runs. Torquay were now winning enough ball to thoroughly test the hosts defence, and aided by some poor Oke decisions they piled on pressure in the twenty two. Eventually it told as almost inevitably, Morris forced his way over from short range for a try simply converted by full back Wood. At 18-10, the game was closer than it should have been after Oke's first home dominance, and the next score would be crucial.

Oke continued to hold sway up front, with Sam Turner outstanding in attack and defence, well supported by powerful ball carrying from Neil Perrot. A half chance was fashioned up the clubhouse touchline, as good handling by the backs saw Kev Dennis loop and create a chance that unfortunately saw the final inside ball go to ground with the try line gaping.

Oke didn't have long to wait for the vital next score though as their scrummage again proved decisive. Yet again they drove a series of five metre scrums towards the Torquay line. Infringements inevitably occurred, and at the third attempt Steve Alford bagged his brace with another well taken pushover. The conversion was awry, but a fifteen point lead with fifteen minutes remaining seemed enough.

Oke were beginning to tire though as they resisted changes in their pack. Torquay again entered the Oke red zone after another weak clearance. A close range lineout saw all fifteen on the visitor's side enter the maul. This proved unstoppable down the slope, and diminutive scrum half Alex Jeffery was credited with being at the bottom of the pile up. The conversion was missed but Torquay had several minutes left to force a bonus point. Oke were determined not to be breached again though, and kept their line intact for the remaining minutes to gain another impressive home win and maintain their unbeaten run at the Showground.

Pictures of the game here

Next week sees another tough question for the Okes as they travel to Truro KO 2.30pm.