Devon & Cornwall League

Okehampton 1st XV 14

Bideford 1st XV 5

OKEHAMPTON continued their ascent towards the summit of the league, although Saturday's victory over Bideford was by no means a straightforward affair.

Bideford arrived full of commitment, attacking intent and a determination to avoid any repeat of the drubbing they took in last season's corresponding fixture.

Yet again it was a day at the showfield where the weather had a big say in proceedings. A forceful breeze, blowing directly down the slope, the home side won the toss and decided to play into the elements in the first period.

The visitors started brightly; the dry, firm conditions were to their liking and they moved the ball well and kept Okehampton stretched in the early exchanges. To their credit Okehampton defended effectively and managed to stifle the threat of the visitors' potent backs.

Okehampton settled, and produced several forays into the opposition 22.

Several promising attacking phases came to nothing though and the visitors were able to clear their lines effectively by using the boot and the wind to good effect.

The home side's pack were providing another solid platform, the lineout was more consistent and the scrum was impressive as it constantly drove the Torridgesiders' eight backwards all game.

The game appeared to be heading for a scoreless first half as Bideford gained possession in Okehampton's half right on the interval.

They finally found a chink in the Okehampton defence and created space on the right to put winger James Buckland over for a score in the corner. The conversion was missed but it meant a 5-0 lead for the visitors at the interval.

Turning around with the wind at their backs Okehampton knew this was a very important 40 minutes against rivals at the top of the table. To gain promotion, home games against fellow challengers must be won.

Home side flanker Paul Lawrence was yellow carded and the home fans were starting to worry if the score would come as the game moved towards the last quarter. Then it arrived as pressure in the 22 allowed scrum-half Joey Bruce to move the ball left from a ruck and swift hands from centre Honeychurch enabled the ubiquitous Simon Cox to cross to tie things up. Honeychurch applied the gloss to the score with a tricky conversion and Okehampton were finally ahead.

Steve Alford entered the fray to ensure effective lineout possession in the closing stages. Bideford continued to try and move the ball from all parts of the pitch. From one of these vain attempts a pass was spilled and Honeychurch crossed but the try was disallowed for incorrect grounding.

Time ticked away and Okehampton gained another lineout in the red zone. A clean take and a couple of drives off the fringes culminated in hooker Bruce Griffiths gleefully diving over near the uprights to seal the win. Honeychurch converted.

Against useful opposition this was good preparation for the upcoming crunch fixture away to unbeaten league leaders Penryn.

Acion from the game is pictured.

Pictures by James Bird