South West one (West)

Keynsham RFC 20

OKEHAMPTON had not played for four weeks, five for some players, and it looked like it as they came off second best against a determined home outfit.

Keynsham has been a bit of bogey ground for the Okes since their return to this league. Despite overcoming the Bristol based outfit twice at home, they just cannot seem to put on a performance when the away challenge arises. The Okes cannot use absentees or their long break as an excuse for this below par performance, and on the day were beaten by the better side - one that deployed its tactics well and defended effectively throughout.

The pitch was sticky and the air nippy during a first 40 minutes which saw the Okes fail to get off the bus. The home side opening the scoring as early as the fifth minute. Use of the boot by the home side was to prove crucial throughout, as the Okes failed to deal with even the most innocuous looking kicks ahead.  An early penalty and a driving line-out ended with a chip ahead that the visitors did not gather cleanly; as the ball squirted out the hosts regathered and bundled over for an early five point advantage.

The Okes did glean adequate possession in the first half but failed to use it effectively, as balls went to ground or wrong options were taken. On 14 minutes the hosts doubled their lead - again, another kick was not dealt with and after turnover ball was moved left, a cross kick to the corner saw the Okes cover absent as the hosts’ left winger grounded their second try. This time the conversion was good, and the visitors were already 12 points down and still to awaken.

Okehampton’s kicking game was not deep or long enough to relieve pressure and penalties to touch were missed as the Okes failed to take advantage of several strong field postilions. Things did not improve for the visitors as the game entered the second quarter; another up and under brought a third home try. The ball was spilled and a follow up tackle missed, before the ball was moved wide to the home right winger who had enough space and gas to cross in the corner. The Okes’ line-out was scrappy at best, and as the interval loomed consecutive penalties allowed the home full back to add another three pointer to make it a 20 point lead at the changeover.

The Okes made changes, bringing on Luke Simmons at ten , moving Dan Fogerty to full back and installing Karl Pearce and George Trerise up front. It initially seemed to do the trick as the visitors came out of the blocks with more gusto and commitment as the second half commenced.

Early pressure brought a penalty chance but Simmons’ effort came back off the uprights to a home player and was cleared. The Okes dominated the first 15 minutes of the half, and battered away without success. Karl Pearce made an immediate impression with his strong carries and heavy tackles and the Okes were soon camped on the home goal line. As the ball was recycled by the home side, Oke scrum half Joey Bruce showed great awareness as he dived on the ball at the back of a ruck in the in goal area. Knowing the ball was now in play his quick thinking brought the Okes’ first, and what was to prove only, try of a testing afternoon. Luke Simmons added the extras and with 20 minutes left the Okes were back in with a chance.

Just as the Okes seemed to have the upper hand, an injury brought the game to a halt for 15 minutes. A hard hit on the home eight causing the referee to stop play - unfortunate for the Okes as Pearce was in the clear with ball in hand at the time. Once the game was eventually restarted, despite being on top for long periods, the Okes just could not find a breakthrough. The home defence held firm and the Okes lacked their usual cutting edge outside.

Entering the last ten Okehampton continued to push and came close on several occasions. Firstly replacement prop George Trerise cut a great line through the centre but was tackled on the tryline, and knocked the ball on as he reached out to score. Then the Okes, after more strong Pearce carries, forced their way over by the posts only to see the try wiped off by the referee, who gave a defending penalty for an infringement to further increase the Okes’ growing frustrations. In the little time that was left in the increasing darkness, the home side comfortably saw out the match, leaving the Okes without even the consolation of a losing bonus point to take home to Devon.

This was always going to be tricky fixture, and one of many bumps in the road as the Okes look to continue their challenge at the upper echelons of the table.

The Okes should have had a losing bonus point, but the performance barely merited one, while full credit must be given to the improving home side who fully deserved their win. However, the Okes know this was a performance way below expected standards.