Race for second heating up in South
OKEHAMPTON threw their hat into the fight for second in the South West Premier by moving above their rivals following a 1912 victory over Newbury Blues.
Their rivals for second spot Weston-super-Mare and Maidenhead saw their tie fall to an unplayable pitch on a wintery day that opened the door for their Okehampton to move up the table.
Okehampton took no time in taking advantage and took a third minute lead with Ryan Lee crossing the whitewash and Richard Friend converting.
While Barnstaple are out of sight at the summit, only four points now separate second and sixth.
The Blues, who are fighting a battle at the opposite end of the table, responded but were 10-6 down at the break after an exchange of kicks.
The second half was also a kicking game which Okehampton edged to seal a 19-12 win.
Newbury Blues’ defeat was made worse by basement side Bracknell picking up a sixth win of the season after they beat
Ivybridge 43-18. Bracknell raced into an early lead with Dan Spencer-Tonks opening the scoring before Lewis Franklin scored a converted effort to make it 12-0.
Wes Vermigle pulled a try back for the visitors before Spencer-Tonks crossed the whitewash for a second time at the opposite end.
A further converted try saw Bracknell lead 26-13 at the break before three second half tries secured the win.
Jay Geraty did pull a try back for Ivybridge, but his side were comfortably beaten.
Barnstaple continued their charge towards the title with a hard-fought 136 victory over Launceston with just a single try separating the sides.
The hosts led 6-0 at the break with a pair of Haydn Lidstone penalties the difference.
The visitors pulled a penalty back early in the second half before Josh Davies scored the only Barnstaple try.
The Cornish All Blacks replied with two second half penalties but were beaten.
Elsewhere, Brixham continued their winning run and took a 18-12 home win against Exmouth in mixed Devon conditions.
Nathan Reeves and Joel Ashworth both ran over tries for Brixham while Mitch Pinkus converted two penalties and a conversion.
Finally, Camborne ran out 36-5 victors over Exeter University.