Rugby: Okehampton cruise past Devonport Services

Report from Toby Daniels - Okehampton RFC

An in-form Services side were the visitors this week as Okehampton continued to look comfortable in the upper half of the Western Counties league table. It was, in truth, a slightly disjointed performance from the home side, but a useful win nonetheless as they prepare for next weeks’ league and cup double header weekend.

Oke started up the hill and on the front foot. Devonport’s defence was looking solid though and it was two early Mark Scrivener penalties that gave Oke an early six nil lead. On a good, firm playing surface, both sides tried to play attractive rugby although Oke were at times guilty of overdoing the hot brick passing as several unforced knock-ons ensued.

Still in the first quarter, the first try of the game was nigh. Prolific right winger Rob Fishleigh was yet again the first man over the whitewash as he demonstrated his poacher’s knack. A loose ball came his way and he fly hacked ahead, the ball sat up perfectly in the narrow in-goal area and he won the foot race to dive on it for the first five pointer. The conversion was missed but Oke now had an eleven point lead.

Offences then came along at increasingly regular intervals and the game became slightly fragmented and lacking in fluidity. Oke were dominant at scrum time although the line out once more suffered due to lack of accuracy. In fact the visitors were next on the scoreboard as centre Matt Anstis slotted over a solid penalty kick to reduce the arrears. There was no more scoring before the interval as defences took charge, and the hosts turned around 11-3 ahead at the break.

The second period had only just begun when Oke returned to Devonport territory. A forceful scrummage effort from five meters had the Servicemen on the back foot. As Number 8 Sam Turner controlled the ball towards the whitewash the visitors infringed and a penalty try was awarded. Scrivener made no mistake with the conversion and despite not hitting anything like top gear; the Okes were clear and comfortable with it.

To their credit Services gave as good as they got in the second half and several powerful trundles from their second rower put them in dangerous positions. All they could muster from this period of pressure though was a second Anstis penalty.

Oke managed to bodge a couple of overlap chances before they finally put the game to bed. Matt Dennis was sent clear down the left flank and he ran in the score to cap a solid if unspectacular home win. It was job done, but more to come; and the Okes will be hoping for continued success on both fronts next week as they travel to Kingsbridge on Saturday before a Devon cup match away at Teignmouth on the Sunday.

Pictures of the game here