Devon derby delight for Okehampton in determined victory over Crediton

Playing their first league game for a month, Okehampton RFC recovered from a sluggish start to record an impressive 45-22 win over Crediton in front of a lively crowd at the Showground.

Crediton breached the home defence inside the opening two minutes with a clever kick over the top exposing some early hesitancy in the Oke defensive line, and it took until midway through the first half for the hosts to respond.

A quick tap penalty caught Crediton off guard and Brandon Horn speared through the gap to reduce the scores to 7-5. It seemed like the stage was set for the Okes but another accurate kick in behind opened the door for the visitors to score again.

This time, the riposte was instant, Leon Horn diving over from close range following a well-managed ruck to bring the scores level, 12-12 at half-time.

After the break, however, it was all about the Okes, quickly recovering from a Crediton penalty to snatch the lead for the first time in a rollercoaster afternoon, replacement Callum Arnold barrelling over the line.

The home pressure was growing all the time and Crediton cracked when the impressive Saul Holliday found a gap from another ruck to release Rob Fishleigh for a routine finish. Crediton fought back with another converted try to reduce the arrears to two points, but the closing stages were all about Okehampton.

A five-metre scrum presented the opportunity to finally break Crediton resistance, Holliday getting the try his performance deserved and Luke Simmons added the extras.

The closing minutes were all about the Okes, Holliday repeating his previous trick with a lovely assist for Fishleigh to score and Leon Horn crossed in the corner to complete the victory. Okehampton are next in action at Penzance & Newlyn on February 28.

Ivybridge, in fifth, are just one place behind the Okes, and they enjoyed a 44-26 win over Penzance. The Ivies travel to Crediton this weekend and both Moorland clubs know a late sprint could see them break into the top two of the Regional 2 Tribute SW Division.

It is not the time of year for an all-white kit and the mud just proved too much for Newton Abbot, as they succumbed to a narrow 29-32 loss at home to Kingsbridge but the U14 Girls demonstrated in this image that it is still all smiles, despite the mud.