Saturday, August 30 CREDITON 19 OKEHAMPTON 29 OUR second trial game of the season saw us up against a very useful Okehampton side and despite the defeat, there was plenty to enthuse about and also much to work on. In the early exchanges, Okehampton dominated territory and possession and certainly tested our defensive qualities. Our inability to get hands on the ball was certainly an issue during the first period and on the occasions that we did gain possession there was a tendency to lose it too easily. Both teams found the lineouts a problem although this did settle down as the game went on. By half-time, Okes were three tries to the good and led 19-0, they had pace in the backs as did we, but unfortunately theirs had much more of the ball and they certainly made good use of it. The second half was a different story and within 15 minutes of the restart we had reduced the arrears to a mere five points courtesy of tries from lock Declan McDonnell and centre Mark Lee who also added the conversions. Okes were stung into action again and clearly rattled by the comeback and they stretched the lead once again with two unconverted tries. The last minutes saw Okes under considerable pressure and eventually scrum-half, Mike Pearce, touched down from a five metres scrum. With the first league game taking place away against Saltash tomorrow, a closely fought encounter is anticipated. Last season only a single point separated the two sides over two games in which a staggering total of 129 points were scored. A 38-all draw across the Tamar, a game which we felt a little hard done by when conceding what most considered a very harsh penalty in the final minute to rob us of a win. However, a 27-26 win at home was probably somewhat fortunate as we were ahead 22-0 at the interval and seemingly on for a big win. In the end we were glad to hear the final whistle. Crediton 'Quins 29 Okehampton Seconds 7 The 'Quins put in a solid performance but were made to work hard for their victory in this somewhat fractious game. The power of the pack provided the platform and indeed earned the first points with a penalty try as the Okes were forced to concede several penalties as they tried to hold out. Gareth Kinch added the extras. The lead was short lived and Okehampton scored a well-worked try to level the scores. On the stroke of half-time, the pack again drove forward and No 8, Mark Nott, touched down, Kinch again converting. It was nip-and-tuck for much of the second half with replacements coming and going but it was the 'Quins who took the spoils with a further three tries, one from Rowan Locke. From the performances to date, we would seem to have greater strength in depth than last season and no doubt we can look forward to a good season. Much will depend on how we get on in Cornwall where there is a traditional merry-go-round of players who seem to swap clubs on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see which players are wearing which clubs shirts when the season starts. FORTHCOMING FIXTURES September 6: First Fifteen away at Saltash; Second Fifteen at home against Ilfracombe First; Third Fifteen at home against Buckfastleigh and Colts Fifteen at home against Sidmouth. PH