Cullompton falls short in Devon Cup quarter-final thriller against Plymstock

Cullompton led by nine in the second half but Oaks’ late tries secure the win

Cullompton bowed out of the Devon Intermediate Cup at the quarter-final stage when they lost 36-28 away to Plymstock Albion Oaks.

The weather may have been windy – woolly hats and scarves were the order of the day for supporters – but the game was hardly a breeze for the Oaks.

Having shot into a 19-7 lead just before half time over their opponents from the next division up, Oaks had to come back from
28-19 behind in the second half to win it.

Two tries in a four-minute spell late in the second half turned the game Oaks’ way. A last-minute penalty shunt confirmed the result.

Cullompton were all over Oaks for the first 10 minutes and when the home side took the lead it was against the run of play up to that point.

Lewis Paterson slipped in for Oaks’ opening try and added the goal points for a 7-0 lead.

Back came Cully with a try on
the scuttle for fly-half Harrison Blake-Pead that Matt Whitlock converted.

Oaks regained the lead with a try from Lewie Riley, whose 45-degree run took him past the Cully defence. Paterson converted.

And when Paterson taped and went from a close-range penalty, Oaks were sitting pretty on a 19-7 lead.

Cullompton cashed-in on the 10-plus minutes of stoppage time added on by referee Ryan Yeoman to claw their way 21-19 up by the break.

Tom Parker and Tegan Furner had a try each from close quarters. Whitlock converted them both.

It got worse before it got better for the Oaks with Cully’s veteran winger Marcus Busch scooting in for a converted try.

Had Cullompton scored again while they were on top, the outcome may have been different.

Oaks had to work hard until past the hour mark to keep Cullompton out.

The tide started to turn Oaks’ way when Andy Porter came off the bench and dotted down. Paterson’s goal kick left two points in it.

Mac Lewis put Oaks back in front with a try under the posts and Riley’s conversion gave Oaks a five-point lead.

Cullompton gave away a penalty in the dying embers of the game that Riley kicked to put two scores between the sides.

Cullompton return to Two South West action this Saturday at home to Wadebridge Camels.