Okehampton take derby honours over CABS

OKEHAMPTON made it back-toback wins on the way up the South West Premier Division table when they defeated Cornish All Blacks 20-13.

Derby games with their arch-rivals from Launceston are seldom straightforward affairs and this one was no different.

Okehampton shot off into a 17-0 lead, which was whittled away bit by bit in the second half as the CABs brought on fresh legs.

Former Okey pair B J Chapman and Dean Abrahms were among the impact players to come off the bench, although Chapman made the wrong sort of impact.

Referee Darren Hopkins had no choice but to show Chapman a straight red when he swung a punch at Okey’s Liam Sampson, which left CAB a man short for the final 15 minutes.

Winning captain Dan Fogerty said this latest win proved Okehampton are getting over their slow start to the season, but still have plenty of work to do.

“It feels like we did leave a point out there, but to win was pleasing,” said Fogerty.

“We have still got a lot to improve on but are starting to move in the right direction now.”

Nicky Martin scored Okey’s first try from a catch-drive line-out move. Captain Fogerty converted.

Leon Horn got the second try out on the right and Richard Bolt intercepted for the third. Fogerty added a penalty in the second half after the Cornishmen had closed the cap to 17-13.

Lloyd Duke scored the only try of the game for the CABs. Jimmy Tucker converted it and two penalties.

Ivybridge went down 24-20 to visiting Old Centralians in a South West Premier game that bubbled away right to the end.

Two tries in the final 12 minutes gave Cents their first win of the season.

Charlie Bryant, the back division coach, said it was a difficult defeat to swallow for a number of reasons.

“We were in the lead for nearly all of the game and I felt we were the better side,” said Bryant.

Archie Bryan and new recruit Sam Wilmington, latterly with PlymptonVictoria scored Ivybridge’s tries in that order. Matt Grieveson kicked the conversions.

Exmouth left it late to complete a 20-18 win over Royal Wootton Bassett, which was only achieved with the final kick of the game.

George Meadows popped over a 40-metre penalty five minutes into time added on to put Exmouth ahead for the fourth and final time in the game.

Brixham lost 20-7 away to Drybrook and Camborne’s losing run continued with a 24-14 defeat at home against Weston.

University of Exeter hold a twopoint lead over Hornets at the top of the table following a 28-25 win over previously undefeated Bournemouth.

Bournemouth were 22-6 down at one stage but came back into the game after the break.

Jordan Bond, Ed Thomas, Archie Owlett and Jake Murray were the Students’ try scorers. Alex LloydSeed kicked the goals.

Luke Berry kicked all Barnstaple’s points in a 15-9 National Two defeat at Bury St Edmunds.