OKEHAMPTON RFC president Robert Ewen hosted his second President's Day at the club's Oakland's ground on Saturday. A training and coaching session for junior section players saw 40 youngsters take part under the guidance of visiting coaches from the RFU Northern Division who were due to play in the Presidents XV. The club was grateful to Mark Cahill, J D Dudley and Neil Dunn. The day dawned bright after a rather wet night. The pitch conditions were reminiscent of those back in the winter as more showers crossed Okehampton during the day. However, this did not deter the players from entering into the spirit of the day and producing an entertaining game. For the President's XV game against an Okehampton XV side players drafted in by the president included Dave Simms (Wellington, Taunton, Launceston, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester, Barbarians and England), Bob Armstrong (Exmouth, Exeter Chiefs, Bristol, Royal Navy and Combined Services), Paddy Gore (Royal Navy), J D Dudley, Mark Cahill and Neil Dunn (all Yorkshire and North of England), Rob Twomey and Shaun Parkin (both Royal Marines and Withycombe). The team also included a number of players who had started their rugby careers at Okehampton but have moved on to play in higher leagues, including Richie Bolt (Exeter Chiefs, Penzance Pirates, England Under21's), Richie Friend (Okehampton, Launceston), Dean Folland (Oke Colts, Bideford), Tom White (Oke Colts, Newton Abbott), Jacob Nash (Oke Colts, Bideford, Chiefs Academy), George Hall (Okehampton, Camborne) and Dan Lee (Okehampton) Bath University). The pitch conditions did not suit the Okehampton team, who thrive on hard, dry ground. Both teams impressed with their efforts to produce an entertaining game, and there were some good passing moves producing tries for both sides. There were handling errors aplenty but Devon referee Charlie Wakeham allowed the game to flow to allow an open game which pleased the crowd. The President's teams dominance in the conditions proved decisive and they ran out deserved winners about 35-15 to give the president his revenge for last year's defeat. On a festival day the scores did not really matter, rugby was the winner and the club and the Royal Marines charity benefited from it. The club thanked all the players for their efforts. The theme of this year's day was Royal Marines 350, a celebration of 350 year since the Royal Marines were formed. When all the guests had assembled for the dinner, retired Colour Sergeant Dave Thomson marched in wearing the uniform of the Royal Marines from 350 years ago to read the Order of Assembly to the delight of the assembled guests. After the dinner President Rob Ewen thanked the day's sponsors for their generosity — Wally Wallace (Phoenix Gym) sponsored the shirts. Other sponsors were Mike Harding (Lighting Solutions), Andy Ewen (Okehampton Glass), Neil Folland (Tarka Springs Water) and Andy Dennis. The final figure raised on the day for club and charity has not yet been counted but looks to be in the order of £3,000, a fantastic achievement to follow that of last year's event. Rob had three guests from the Haslar Company in Plymouth, Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Richards RM, Captain Joe Lane RM and Marine Gus Hurst. The Haslar unit treats injured Royal Marines and helps to rehabilitate them to return to duty or in preparation for a return to civilian life. Lieutenant-Colonel Richards gave a short but insightful talk about the work of the unit and its success rate. He said its work was only possible because of the donations made from events such Saturday's President's Day and thanked people for their generosity. Rob Ewen gave a special thanks to all the club members who rallied round and worked so hard and put in a huge effort on the day to make it such a success. It could not have been done without them. He also thanked Brett Luxton. Brett has been the club's coach for a number of years but decided to step down at the end of the season. Brett took the club back into the Western Counties (West) league nearly five years ago and has helped the team to consolidate its position there. This was his last game in charge of the team and he came on as a substitute in the second half to the delight of the crowd. After the game the lads celebrated 'the Gaffer's' last game by unceremoniously dumping him in a muddy puddle in the middle of the pitch. Such is life in a rugby team! The club is fortunate that Brett, his wife Jo and their family will be staying on as members of the club where they know they will always be welcome. The club is now looking forward to the new season, which starts in September.