ONCE again the Okes concede late on in a match that could have gone either way, eluding them of even a losing bonus point.

The Okes travelled to Thornbury looking to right the wrongs of the previous week’s loss at North Petherton. To an extent it was mission accomplished, but again poor game management in the second half cost the visitors what would’ve been a valuable away victory.

Several regulars from the seconds stepped up due to unavailabilities, and all did themselves proud with committed performances.  It was an all round improved effort this week, but again the young Okes came up just short.

Starting up the slope on the short Thornbury pitch, the visitors were soon into their stride on a typically grey, drizzly November afternoon.

Early signs were promising with both sides looking to their respective young backlines as their main attacking weapon of choice.

The Okes were securing plenty of early ball as both sides tested each other defensively. Despite the slope disadvantage, Oke-hampton spent plenty of time in the opposition half during the first quarter, but both sides were making handling errors and forcing turnovers as the first half stalemate rolled on.

As the match reached the 25 minute mark Oke seemed comfortable. They were then forced to defend several close range rolling maul efforts before their defence was finally breached. The ball was moved right from a close range ruck and the Okes rushed up in defence too quickly on the inside, allowing a simple loop pass to generate an overlap run in try in the bottom right corner. The tricky conversion was landed and the hosts were 7-0 up, but knew the slope generated the need for a more substantial advantage to defend in  the second period.

As the half ticked away to its conclusion, good hands up the left put Oke winger Brandon Horn in the clear. The winger was tackled and the Okes recycled, eventually forcing a five-metre attacking scrum right on the interval. Unfortunately for them it fractured as the home side resisted the pressure and the half time whistle sounded.

The Okes had now failed to score a point for their last two halves of rugby, but they had created plenty of chances, and with the slope in their favour in the second period a seven nil deficit was by no means insurmountable.

Okehampton failed to cross the ten meter line with their restart, but it was not long before they had entered Thornbury’s 22 and were battering away around the fringes looking to tie the scores.

The Thornbury defence held firm but Oke’s ball retention was impressive. Eventually Oke captain Tom McGrattan, again impressive with ball in hand, took the ball at first receiver and smashed through a weak shoulder to cross midway out on the right. Unfortunately fly half Luke Simmons was unable to convert but at 7-5 it was now definitely game on with over half an hour still to play.

The rain, and Okes intensity both increased  as the half wore on. Okes were now on top and it was not long before they took the lead. Once more it was McGrattan who did the damage. Oke were applying pressure and moving the ball across the pitch effectively when it reached the Oke number eight in midfield. The skipper then cut a line on the inside showing both strength and pack to power over behind the uprights. Simmons added the conversion, and at 12-7 entering the last quarter.

The game then slowly began to turn the home side’s way. Firstly McGrattan was forced to leave the field through injury, then the Okes opted to play in their own half rather than using the clearance kick and chase tactic that had served them well thus far.

A penalty for holding on ensued and the hosts punted to the corner. The initial lineout was repelled but player coach Martin Harrison-Browne, only just on as replacement for McGrattan, was shown a yellow card, leaving the Okes to defend a five-metre scrum with seven forwards. Almost inevitably the home scrum drove forward and a scrappy attempt at grounding the pushover was awarded to bring the scores level. The home full back was reliable with the boot though, and he potted the extras to plunder a slender lead for the hosts entering the last ten minutes.

A man down and with the host’s tails up, the Okes failed to compose themselves as the match ebbed away. The visitors just needed a penalty to snatch victory but too many wrong options saw them camped in their own half. The match entered its last minute and the Okes found themselves defending another close range lineout. They defended it superbly and forced a scrum in their favour. It was the last play now though, and from under their own posts the visitors unwisely sent a weak kick into midfield, straight into the hands of the home left winger, who ran in by the uprights to seal the win and to deny the Okes of a losing bonus point, which was the least their significant efforts merited.

So disappointment on the road again, but positive signs emerged from a much changed youthful Okes outfit. The new starters gave their all, with young second rower Brad Curtis outstanding in attack and defence as he came of age.