From the rural outpost of Torrington to the spendour of Barnstaple and a fixture against the hosts on the First XV pitch in front of a large crowd.

OLs were fired up by the words of Stuart Lancaster, paraphrased as 'play for your shirt, play for your mates and play to win' and tore into Barum from the off. The hosts conceded a string of penalties, one of which allowed George Hawkes to slot over three points in the fourth minute. OLs maintained the pressure and turned over Barum in midfield as Matthew Sawyer led a fierce counter-ruck. The ball was spread wide allowing Isaac Blake-Mills to score by the posts. George Hawkes added the two to leave Barnstaple ten points down after only seven minutes. However, the Devon outfit are a really strong side with an awesome home record, and they began to move up the gears, using the inside crash ball to telling effect. OLs defence was impregnable, and although Jordi Pocknell received a yellow for careless use of the boot, OLs held firm.

Half Time : Barnstaple 0 - OLs 10

The second half started as the first had finished with Barnstaple crashing up the middle but OLs defending valiantly. Indeed the hosts did not seem to have a 'Plan B', and OLs defence rarely looked like being breached. Pocknell returned to the fray, boosting OLs, and the tourists regained the upper hand as Barnstaple's set piece began to creak. OLs gained a foothold in Barum's 22, and were rewarded with three points for George Hawkes as Barnstaple infringed once more. The final whistle sounded to roars of appreciation from the travelling support.

Full Time : Barnstaple 0 - OLs 13