Sidmouth Under-16s experienced a case of missed opportunities as they slipped to a 22-19 defeat ay home to Okehampton.

The visitors created the early pressure and scored an uncoverted try to take the lead. The scrums looked evenly matched and good runs from Pearse and Cornish forced Okehampton to tackle hard. A Sidmouth catch-and-drive moved them 15 metres up the pitch and the move ended with a Pearse try with Allen slotting a neat conversion to put the hosts ahead.

Lau made great ground, dodging multiple defenders across half the pitch, but was brought down by a try-saving tackle just short of the line before, after some good work form the backs, Innes-Kruger crossed to make it 12-5.

A Sidmouth line out was stolen by Okehampton and gave them another drive of 10 metres for a penalty which they elected to kick, but failed to score. Hard work by Sidmouth forwards was consolidated by Cornish producing a try in the corner and Allen produced another accurate conversion to make it 19-5.

A further score by Sidmouth could have secured their advantage, but it was Okehampton forwards who, in the final minutes of the first half, pushed over the try line to score and the Sidmouth lead at the break was 19-10.

Early on in the second half play was even, but Okehampton pressure on the backs and some handling errors, resulted in an Okehampton try and this time a conversion to reduce the home lead to 19-17.

Okehampton were looking increasingly confident, tackling well and hungry for victory, and a terrific breakthrough from their number nine resulted in a well-deserved try that saw the visitors into the lead at 22-19.

On the back foot now, Sidmouth rallied to produce some late pressure, but Okehampton defence prevailed. In the last passage of play Sidmouth advanced towards the try line, but just couldn’t keep possession and with some relief Okehampton kicked into touch.

A special mention should be made of the Sidmouth Under-15 team players that were present to augment the Sidmouth squad for this game.