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Okehampton 13 Weston-super-Mare 36

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Weston traveled to Okehampton for this first ever meeting between the two clubs as the only unbeaten side in South West 1 West. Weston were supported by a large group of the past players association who had travelled by coach for the game.

On a perfect afternoon for rugby, with bright sunshine and no breeze Weston kicked off and found themselves defending against a lively and energetic home outfit.

Despite tremendous pressure being exerted by Okehampton, and Weston falling foul of some refereeing decisions which confused the away supporters, the only scoring chance for the home side was a penalty which struck the upright and fell harmlessly away.

With their first meaningful period of possession the Weston backs moved the ball wide, out on to both wings and recycled very quickly.

The forwards were rampaging in the middle of the field working closer to the line when an excellent carry brought Weston's first try, and his first for the club from skipper Sam Coles.

James MacKay made the conversion, passing 100 points for the season and giving Weston an early lead.

The game continued at a lively pace and Weston's efforts continued to thwarted by the referee's decisions and it was Okehampton who scored next, a Kevin Dennis penalty from 40 yards.

The Okes task got much harder shortly after though, as influential player coach Gareth Evans was force to leave the field with a calf injury.

Almost from the restart Weston drove hard at the Okehampton defence and the speed of their attacking moves, with both Dickson and Morgan regularly threatening to break through, allowed them to go close and with the forwards looking unstoppable Spelman touched down for Weston's second try.

Okehampton were not downhearted by this and their riposte earned another Dennis penalty which pulled the score back to 6-12.

The last 10 minutes of the half saw Weston take full control. The forwards drove towards the line and Mike Hocking scored under the posts for MacKay to convert.

Just two minutes later another drive was halted by a penalty infringement which MacKay slotted and in time added on for injury Weston's backs opened up Okehampton's defence and a jinking run from Robbie MacKay earnt him a try and the bonus point. James MacKay converted and Weston ended the half 6-29 in front.

The second half of this keenly contested match continued with Okehampton continually threatening with some excellent counter attacking rugby but the Weston defence remained secure and they posed their own threat with some great carries from Tom Hocking, on for Streeter, and from Russell and Glen.

Out wide Watkins was making great ground and Jones ran superbly from full back. But it was the forwards who were to force the next try.

After excellent work from the backs and quickly recycled ball the forwards drove for the line and hooker Mike Hocking got the try, his second of the game. With Mackay's conversion Weston looked safe with 12 minutes remaining and the score 6-36.

Okehampton had played well all game and in a spirited last effort their forwards forced a try after No.8 Tom McGrattan made significant yardage after a quick tap and go. Okes piled on the pressure from short range and eventually it was prop Pat Nash who powered his way over the line and Dennis slotted the conversion

Weston's control of the game never looked to be threatened and they had produced an excellent performance. The replacements had slotted into the team with no drop in intensity or performance level demonstrating strength in depth.

The Okes winning home run dating back to April 2015 was no longer intact,

There was a welcome return to the Weston line-up from injury for scrum half Ollie Trott, and Webb, who had come on for the injured Bignell, had another good game.

Weston remain unbeaten in this league after 8 rounds and have an 8 point lead at the top of the table over strong rivals Thornbury.

Okehampton: Kieraan Lee; Brandon Horn, Rhys Palmer, Kevin Dennis, Luke Honeycombe; Dan Fogerty; Richie Friend; Pat Nash, Gareth Evans, George Treise, Sam Turner, Neil Perrott, Deaan Abrams, Simon Cox, Tom McGrattan. Reps: Brad Curtis, Ian Langbridge, Rob Fishleigh.

Weston-super-Mare: Harry Jones; Robbin Mackay, Huw Morgan, Glenn Dickson, Matt Watkins; James Mackay, Hayden Tuttiett; Sam Coles, Mike Hocking, Ollie Streeter, Andy Glen, Ashley Russell, Daniel Spelman, Rich Bignell, Tom Crossman. Reps: Tom Hocking, Bryan Webb, Ollie Trott.

Okehampton scorers - try: Pat Nash; con: Kevin Dennis; pens: Kevin Dennis (2)

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Sam Coles, Dan Spelman, Mike Hocking (2), Robbie Mackay; cons: James Mackay 4; pen: James Mackay