OKEHAMPTON moved up a gear in the second half to run out 56-33 winners at Newton Abbot in the Devon Intermediate Cup.

It was more like basketball at times in the first half as the scoring went tit-for-tat in a running total of 21-all at the break. Saul Holliday, Marley Parker and Tom White against his former club were Okey’s try scorers. Luke Simmons converted all three.

The All Whites regained the lead briefly in the second half, but only until Simmons converted a Brandon Horne try for a 28-26 Okey lead.

Tries from Oscar Bridger, Pat Nash and Tom McGrattan, another Newton old boy, pushed Okey towards the horizon.

Newton Abbot’s try scorers were Josh Southworth (2), Ben Rusden, Alex Fogden and Jed Griffin. Jacob Forey landed three conversions and Jake Monnington a fourth.

The All Whites drop into the Devon Intermediate Plate, where they will take on old adversaries Teignmouth.

Players and spectators stood in silence before the match to remember former Newton Abbot lock-forward Dave ‘Digger’ Wharton, who died suddenly a few days before the match. He was 63.

Newton Abbot make the long trip to St Ives this Saturday, looking for a third straight win in Western Counties West.