South West one (West)

Matson 12

Okehampton 22

Hosts Matson did the double over the Okes last season, but this time they found the visitors too much to handle in horrendous conditions for players and spectators alike.

Storm Brian made his presence felt as the Okes ran out at Redwell Road, fortunately there was  no sign of the brain storm that cost Okes’ victory here last year when they threw away a significant lead.

Matson have had an indifferent start to their campaign, but they came out firing in the early stages as the Okes’ began uphill and into the wind.

The visitors found themselves defending a  five-metre lineout with less than five minutes gone as the hosts pressed energetically. The attempted catch and drive was held up over the line though as the Okes showed early signs of what was to come,with their defence impressive for large parts of this sodden contest.

It was fully ten minutes before the Okes began to escape from their own half; stand in fullback Luke Simmons putting in a good counter attacking run to relieve the pressure.

The visitors settled and their set scrum was already on the front foot, forcing early penalties and bringing valuable territorial gains.

The Okes’ first meaningful attacking thrust came via Rhys Palmer — the lively centre making one of many of incisive midfield breaks which had the home defence scrambling hectically throughout.

A quarter of the contest had  ticked by and the Okes were now looking the side most likely to break the deadlock. They dominated the next 15 minutes despite the adverse conditions; creating several scoring chances and camping in the home 22 for long periods. Unfortunately a combination of a slippery ball and poor retention, produced numerous knock-ons which allowed the hosts to escape their defensive confines on several occasions.

It was looking like a scoreless forty as the half entered its last five minutes, then suddenly Oke’s scrum exerted more pressure to open the way for the visitors’ first try.

Okes wheeled and drove the home scrum significantly enough to allow player coach and number eight Martin Harrison-Browne, who had a fine match, to pick up and charge towards the line before unselfishly offloading to Dean Abrams, who dived over to bring the score the Okes dominance had merited.  Richie Friend successfully added the conversion.

The hosts restarted and the Okes found themselves in their own 22 but secured a welcome turnover, however they unwisely decided to run the ball out instead of using the boot as half time loomed. Matson forced a penalty after an Okes’ error and planted the ball in the corner as the last play of the half arrived.

The hosts subsequently punished the Okes by forcing their way over from the resultant lineout to give themselves a foothold in the match at 5-7 with 40 minutes remaining.

Despite their late slip up, the Okes started the second half  with the elements in  their favour. However the visitors failed to come out firing at all for the first 15 minutes of the second half as they allowed Matson to secure plenty of ball and territory alike.

Oke brought on Brad Curtis in the second row after 55 minutes and slowly awoke from their second half slumbers to secure a penalty turnover. Two quick tap penalties followed in quick succession and the Okes finally entered the home 22 for the first time in the half. Unfortunately another knock on resulted as the whitewash beckoned.

Oke brought on the remainder of the bench while Rhys Palmer also left the field due to injury. The match was somehow still in the balance and it took a superb turnover from prop Pat Nash to allow the Okes to move downfield and build another attack. During the next phase of play the Okes finally secured their second try to ease the mounting pressure. It was scrum half Richie Friend who was the architect. Sniping blind, the half back made significant ground before drawing the last defender to release Ryan Lee on the overlap. The young left winger needed no second invitation as he scooted in up the tramlines to  make it 12-5. The Okes’ tails were now up and the hosts were firmly on the back foot as the match entered the last ten minutes. More Oke pressure forced a penalty in the Matson red zone.

A penalty kick for posts would have made it a two score margin, but Oke went for the jugular by opting to kick to the corner. The brave call was rewarded as the lineout was secured, and from the forward drive that ensued replacement Brad Curtis bulldozed his way over to seal the victory. Another tricky conversion was missed but at 17-5 a valuable away victory was within reach.

Into the last five minutes, and with skipper Tom McGrattan back atf centre, the Okes pushed for the bonus point try. Another welcome penalty gave the Okes the chance for another tap and go through scrum half Friend, the ball reached McGrattan and the Oke captain cruised over mid way out to bring home the full five points.

To the home side’s credit they still came back strongly in  the dying seconds. Finally they created enough of a gap in  the solid Oke defensive line to crash over by the posts with the last play of the match. The conversion went over and the final whistle blew immediately afterwards to signal celebrations as the Okes gained an impressive five point away haul. 

Taking into account the late changes to the side and the awful conditions, to come away with five points was a significant achievement by this young Oke side that are steadily improving as their second season at level six unfolds.