Sat 27^th Jan v Okehampton 2^nd XV

Topsham 47 Okehampton 10 

Topsham 2^nd XV overcame Okehampton 2^nd XV at the Bonfire Field this afternoon, winning 47-10. The match was largely one-sided with Okehampton turning up with 12 players, made up to 13 with Topsham’s Simon Courtney adding to the visitors’ numbers. Topsham’s XV included former 1^st XV captain Jamie Somerville at number 8 and a welcome return for Rich Williams at inside centre.

Topsham took the lead after 15 minutes when left wing Dan Jacobs broke out of his own 22 before chipping ahead, latching onto his kick again to send the ball right over the opposition’s try line for his first score for the club. Jamie Somerville scored the second, again close to the left touchline, showing good strength to hold off tacklers and drive over for his try. Dan Jacobs scored his second after a strong period of Topsham play. Okehampton got 5 points on the board after some good work from their lively scrum half, darting around the base of a ruck before slicing through 3 or 4 Topsham defenders to score. Topsham came back before half time to score their fourth try through fly half Matt Tilt, arcing round to the right of Okehampton’s three-quarters to score near the posts. Replacement back rower Rob James scored Topsham’s fifth before the break, with Matt Tilt slotting his fourth successful conversion from 5 first half attempts. Half time saw Topsham’s comfortable lead standing at 33-5.

The second half saw much less scoring activity as Okehampton fought back into the game, but they were always struggling with 13 men against Topsham’s full compliment. Okehampton’s 7 forwards struggled both in the scrum and at the lineout. Topsham’s wingers scored their side’s only 2 tries of the half, with right wing Darren Davies grabbing his side’s 6^th try before Okehampton grabbed a consolation try. Topsham left wing Dan Jacobs completed his hat-trick with the final play of the match, receiving the ball from outside centre Ben Moor before outrunning his opposite number to score in the left corner. He converted, taking Topsham’s haul to 7 tries and 6 conversions; 5 courtesy of Matt Tilt including 2 superb efforts from tight angles. Topsham left the field delighted with their 47-10 victory over the table-topping Okehampton side, building on last weekend’s victory over Exeter Saracens.