Western Counties West

Okehampton 20

Wellington 12

A VITAL, if unspectacular, win for the Okes and one which should finally put to bed any of their lingering relegation worries.

Both sides came into this game on a run of poor form, both lost players in the warm up and their respective lack of confidence was often evident.

A sticky surface made life difficult for the players, but did not prevent the home side starting the brighter. Early pressure led to a successful strike at goal by fly half Jordan Petherbridge, deputising for Carl Poynton.

Wellington came with a hefty pack and had the Okes' pack under pressure at scrum time, but despite having the wind and slope in their favour, it was the hosts who were first to cross the whitewash.

Young centre Deane Andrew, making a rare start for the firsts, showed good awareness to gather a loose ball in midfield and make valuable yardage before releasing right winger Rob Fishleigh. The fleet footed flankman then showed a nice step and good balance to beat the last defender and touch down. Petherbridge added a cool conversion, and at ten points ahead with 16 minutes gone, Okehampton were comfortable.

The Okes' Achilles heel of allowing the opposition to strike back immediately appeared again though, and the Somerset side were soon right back in the match.

The Okes invited pressure, and the visitors gleefully obliged, culminating with a try on the trundle from big second rower Seaton. Full back Nichols was on the mark with the conversion and the score was now 10-7.

The rest of the first half was even, although Petherbridge failed to land either of two penalty chances.

Ahead, and with the elements in the second forty, the Okes looked favourites but the home side never quite killed off the visitors completely.

The maroon and ambers did extend their lead midway through the half however, as fly half Petherbridge benefited from a ball that flew out the back of a Wellington ruck. The stand-off picked up the stray ball on the left flank and cantered home. The ball unluckily fell over on the conversion attempt, and the resultant drop goal effort missed left to make it 15-7.

Wellington still battled away, and they were on the attack when the Okes struck again for their third try and the one that sealed victory. An attempted pass up the stand side was intercepted by left winger Matt Dennis, who gladly ran it back for another five pointer.

The conversion was again awry, but with a 13 point lead going into the last quarter the Okes looked home and dry.

The hosts were forced onto the back foot for the remainder of the match though, as they lost two players to the sin bin for innocuous offences.

Flanker Paul Lawrence and second rower Sam Turner saw yellow to leave the Okes shorthanded. Wellington used their extra two to gain a consolation try through number eight Kitto off the back of a scrum, but never really threatened to snatch victory.

So as the whistle went, Oke had a valuable four points and had prevented their mid table rivals from obtaining any.