Okehampton RFC settle for losing bonus point

OKEHAMPTON RFC 1st XV came out on the wrong side of a narrow scoreline once more, despite a spirited performance away at North Petherton, reports Adam Holliday.

Okes played up the slight slope initially on a dark, floodlit afternoon and got off to the worst possible start.

With barely a minute on the clock, the hosts stormed in front in controversial circumstances, shocking their guests.

Looking to build their way into the game, a couple of misplaced kicks cost them in crucial areas of the pitch.

Pethy ploughed over a second score, this one going unconverted, with 13 minutes on the clock.

From the restart, North Petherton went down to 14 men after a high tackle and Okehampton pounced on this advantage.

Saul Holliday dotted down after a strong rolling maul and Luke Simmons added the extras to move them into the ascendancy.

Now on top, Okehampton couldn’t quite conjure up any more points before the break and went in five points behind.

Both sides cancelled each other out at the start of the second half and when Okehampton did approach the tryline, their decision-making cost them once more.

Finally, after applying a mountain of pressure and after numerous penalties, prop Pat Nash burrowed over from close range. Simmons’ conversion edged Okehampton in front at 12-14.

Oke’s bad habit of switching off after scoring reared its ugly head though and North Petherton swiftly regained the lead.

Now on the backfoot, Okehampton shipped a fourth try which proved to be the final nail in their coffin.

Another high tackle resulted in another Pethy sin-binning though and from this penalty, Simmons cooly converted from the tee to move his side back into striking distance.

Receiving the restart, suddenly Oke upped a gear and broke out from their own 22, with strong interplay and running taking them to the to the home side’s 22.

This last play continued as Okehampton moved the ball wide left and hit a short line from about 15 yards out. It seemed like a last gasp score was on the cards, but somehow the ball emerged on the home side from the resulting ruck and the home side booted into touch to finish the match.

All the visitors had to show for their commendable efforts was a losing bonus point as yet another tight encounter went against them. It seems all matches remain in the balance until the last five minutes currently and Okehampton just need to get themselves on the right side of a result and the wins will return .

Brett Luxton, the Okehampton coach, said: “Petherton’s early breakaway try made the first 15 minutes a bit of a panic.

“When we settled we actually played some good stuff with our scrums and line-out working well.

“Once we finally got ourselves in front, we switched off and let them back in! A class offload by them to be fair.

“We worked our way back into their 22 in the dying seconds, but it wasn’t our day.”

This was another one that got away and attentions turn to the visit of second-placed Ivybridge.

Ivybridge arrive at The Showground on Saturday, November 14, with all support appreciated, but first Okehampton have a free weekend.