Western Counties West

Wellington 14

Okehampton 19

OKEHAMPTON snatched victory at the death in this hard fought mid table encounter at a venue that does not often yield away wins.

The game could have gone either way, after each side had the better of one half but conceded scores while being on top.

The Okes started with tempo and had loads of possession and territory throughout the opening quarter, but failed to put a point on the board while in the ascendancy.

Twenty two minutes were on the clock when Wellington entered Okehampton territory for the first time. They made it count though as the Okes compounded errors and lost a valuable line out in their own 22. Two bursts and a deft offload saw home lock Cooling under the posts for a try converted by standoff Parsons.

So the visitors found themselves behind but were soon on the offensive again. Despite hesitant handling by the home defence they still kept Oke out. However, another dropped pass for the visitors proved costly. This time, with Oke over committed in attack, the ball was gathered by home lock Mclauchlan who galloped home from 80 yards, hardly able to believe the lack of cover. Parsons again potted the simple two, and the hosts found themselves 14-0 up after half an hour despite being mainly on the back foot.

Wellington pressed again as the interval approached, and won a couple of scrums in the clubhouse corner with the incline in their favour. However, the Okes, with player coach Gareth Evans now ensconced at hooker, resisted strongly and saw out the remainder of the half in midfield.

Okehampton turned into the breeze and made changes to their personnel, as they looked to improve their handling in an effort to find a so far elusive cutting edge.

The sides were well matched in most departments, and after 15 minutes of the second period Wellington had the majority of territorial advantage due to the accurate punting of experienced out half Parsons. The Okes were hanging on, with firm defence and looked increasingly dangerous out wide as the half went on.

Finally the visitors found some fluidity to garner the score they needed to get back onto the match. From a midfield scrum, Jory Bruce went right and winger Rob Fishleigh was given half an overlap. The elusive paceman came inside and was tackled just short of the home line. Oke flanker Paul Lawrence was running good support lines and took a pop pass from the tackled winger to go over for a rare five pointer. Full back Gary Sizmur added a difficult conversion and the Okes were back in the game.

Wellington came forward looking for the score that would kill the contest. Ten minutes remained when home full back Trott was put into a gap for what looked like a certain match winning score. However, Oke winger Lewis Taylor produced a try saving, game changing, huge hit to force a knock on that kept the Okes alive.

Visibly boosted by this Okehampton produced the try of the match after 72 minutes. Ball was moved right to stretch the Wellington defence. Centre Luke Honeychurch raced through a gap and fed winger Rob Fishleigh who took play to the Wellington 22, before feeding Honeychurch back on the inside to cross for a superb score. Lewis Taylor missed the conversion and Oke still trailed by two.

The match entered the last few minutes and Oke had a lineout on halfway. Welly infringed and Oke kicked for touch in the visitors' 22. A catch and drive ensued and took play to within ten metres of the home uprights. The visibly tiring hosts pulled it down and the ref signalled for a penalty to the Okes.

Rory Honeychurch played the advantage rule and fed winger Fishleigh who cut a delicious line through the bewildered home defence, to dive over under the crossbar for the match winning score. The jubilant Okes piled in, and Taylor converted as the final whistle blew.

It was a rare away win at Wellington for the Okes in a match that could have gone either way.