Okehampton 1st XV 17

Wellington 1st XV 13

AN OKEHAMPTON side disrupted by injuries after last week's encounter, failed to put away the visitors after creating enough chances to be out of sight by the interval.

The visitors' larger, more effective pack ensured this one again was a tight affair. Okehampton started reasonably well but Wellington demonstrated that their main form of attack was from their bigger pack, right from the first whistle. Okehampton created chances galore when they moved the ball wide, but failed to capitalise.

It looked like Oke would run away with it when they scored two fluid tries in the opening half hour.

Winger Gareth Espin popped up in midfield, and cut a hole in the Somerset side's defence, eventually crossing to the left of the uprights for a try converted by fly half Kevin Dennis. Espin had a hand in the second score as well — alert enough to pass inside to his fellow winger Craig Dennis in good support as he was tackled.

The colts winger finished it off running round under the sticks. Sibling Kevin added the conversion.

Despite the personnel changes, Okes backs had too much pace for the opposite numbers, but they failed to take overlap chances, and as the interval approached Wellington hit back. Okehampton, as is too often the case, failed to clear their lines when chances arose in their twenty two.

Wellington gained possession and their fly half slipped through some uncharacteristically weak midfield defence for a try.

Oke, as last week, charged down an attempted conversion and at the break led by nine points.

As the second half began, Okehampton spent long periods in their own half.

It was only a matter of time before the pressure told, and it was inevitable that it would come from the Wellington forwards. Firstly they slotted a straightforward penalty chance, then soon afterwards the visitor's number eight eventually crossed from close range.

The try was unconverted and Okehampton had the slenderest of leads entering the last fifteen minutes

Okehampton finally entered the opposition twenty two and forced a penalty offence. Kevin Dennis landed the goal and the lead was crucially back to four points.

Okehampton made it hard for themselves, but eventually worked their way back upfield and time ran out for the visitors.

A welcome week off awaits, as the side has the chance to give injured and uninjured players alike time for a well earned rest.