South West one

Weston-Super -Mare 27

Okehampton 14

THE Okes returned home beaten, but boosted, by a superbly competitive effort against their unbeaten hosts.

No one really gave the underdogs in maroon and amber much hope, as they travelled to face an unbeaten Weston side that has seen off all challengers this season to sit undefeated and clear at the top of the table. The hosts knew they had been in a serious match at the end of 80 exciting minutes though, as the young Oke side provided a significant challenge for long periods.

On  a beautiful sunny afternoon Oke received the kick-off minus last minute absentee Gary Sizmur - the full back’s place taken by Rob Fishleigh, while Ryan Lee was on the bench. Weston began at pace and were soon ten points up in as many minutes. Oke responded in some style, though, and were in the ascendancy for long periods throughout this keenly contested match.

The host’s early ten point salvo came via a try after a home surge at a set scrum caused a loose ball upon which the Weston blindside pounced for a five pointer. This was converted and was soon followed by a penalty from the boot of Mackay.

Okes’ set scrum struggled all afternoon, but this was the only real area where the much vaunted hosts held serious sway throughout. The visitors began to find their feet, and for the next quarter threatened their hosts as the impressive Oxfordshire referee ensured fair play at the breakdown, allowing both sides to secure quick clean ball.

As Oke continued to create openings, they made handling errors at key moments which allowed Weston to regroup, or secure turnover ball, to relieve the mounting pressure. The home side’s hooker saw yellow as the ref clamped down on any infringement, however, again Okes failed to make their numerical superiority count as the keenly contested second quarter neared its conclusion.

The Oke defence was holding up to the challenge well with centres Friend and Dennis solid in midfield; while the lineout was much improved and supplying clean ball to the lively looking Oke backline. Flanker Ollie Francis suffered a yellow card for the cause as he looked to disrupt at the breakdown but the visitors continued to press as the half reached its climax.

The Okes’ adventure was rewarded right on the half time whistle. Several fine phases of interplay eventually saw Oke move the ball left from an attacking ruck and flanker Simon Cox cut a sweet angle off a flat pass from fly half Rhys Palmer to waltz through the bemused home defence. Richie Friend converted from bang in front and Oke trailed by a mere three points at the break.

The early stages of the second forty were full of intent and hard defensive collisions, but it was still in the balance.

After 47 minutes the match turned just as the Okes threatened the home line once more. Oke scrum half Joey Bruce made a clean break and took play into the hosts 22 but the last pass went to a Weston hand and the chance was gone.

Two minutes and several phase later, the home side took full advantage with a well worked try for their left winger as the Okes over enthusiasm to charge up out wide created an overlap. Mackay converted from the touchline and the visitors trailed by ten once more.

For the next 15 minutes Weston upped the tempo and had their best spell of the match. Oke fell off a couple of tackles and the hosts took all chances that came their way. Firstly they created a carbon copy try in the same corner to bring up a brace for their left winger to make it 22-7. Minutes later, Oke saw two kicks charged down under pressure near their own line in a period of play that eventually saw the home number six crash over for his own personal brace. Okes were now staring down the barrel with 15 minutes remaining but yet again they showed great commitment, endeavour and no mean amount of skill to dominate the time remaining.

Messrs , McGrattan, Palmer, Friend and Perrott all made serious inroads before Oke eventually recycled quick ball from close range, which allowed Joey Bruce to snipe through a gap to reduce the arrears again. Richie Friend potted a neat conversion, and at 27-14 Okes sniffed a much warranted losing bonus point.

As the game ebbed away the hosts conceded penalties allowing the Okes to camp in the home 22. They threw everything into attack and looked to have scored at the death as newly converted second rower Karl Pearce, on another fine carry, appeared to have crossed under the bar for the bonus point try. However the referee’]s aloft arm was in fact signalling a home penalty for a double movement in the art of scoring and the match was over as Weston booted the ball off the pitch.

This was a cruel ending for the Okes who deserved something for their fine performance and commitment. Player-coach Evans can be rightly proud of his young charges, whilst there’s no doubt the firm ground suits the Oke style these days and they looked threatening all afternoon.