Plymstock Oaks looking to establish roots for the future

PLYMSTOCK Oaks moved on from their defeat at Redruth with a 41-28 win over visiting Bude.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

As third-placed Oaks are three wins behind long-time leaders Paignton in Western Counties West, they are probably out of the promotion running already.

What Oaks are trying to do is build a squad with the depth capable of maintaining a promotion push in the seasons ahead, rather than starting promisingly then fading by halfway as injuries and non-availabilities take their toll.

With a firm focus on the future, Oaks gave debuts to three teenagers against Bude, two of whom marked the occasion with tries.

"The three colts Jake Parkes, Charlie Kirkwood and Alfie Upton all played very well," said Mark Lenthall, the director of rugby at Horsham Fields.

"Jake and Charlie both scored tries on their debuts, which is really encouraging for the fiture." Bude, who are hovering just above the Western Counties bottom two, were only 19-14 behind at half time.

Three tries in the 15 minutes immediately after half time put Oaks in a commanding position that Bude could do little about, despite a late revival that earned them a four-try bonus point.

Kirkwood then Parkes, the son of former Albion and Devonport Services prop Dan Parkes, put Oaks' first tries on the board. Joe Donnelly added a third before half time.

Two tries from Harvey Courtis and another for goal-kicker Lewis Paterson ended the game as a contest before the hour mark.

DEVONPORT Services had no 1st XV game in National Two West as it was a rest weekend at their level.

The Pilgrims suffered a 24-7 away defeat at Withycombe in Devon Division One.

Withycombe led 10-0 before the break, but Services cut the leeway to three points by half time with a Dan Beer try that Leighton Start converted.

That was as close as Services got as Withies pulled away in the second half with two converted tries.

Withycombe's try scorers were Joe Blyth, Sam Wheeler and Liam Daniells. Tom Cooke landed a penalty and three conversions.