1sts- Finally get off the mark after tight home victory

Firstly apologies for the lack of reports thus far this season, but your reporter was roving and unable to attend Okes previous encounters.

On a dry sunny afternoon, and after an immaculately observed minute's silence after the tragic loss of Gary Sizmur, both sides displayed an attacking intent that Sizzy would've approved of. Okes began down the slope and early pressure resulted in a successful three from the boot of Luke Simmons. The Okes full back would have a superb afternoon with the boot throughout. Ivy soon missed a penalty of their own before the Okes scored their first try of the match. A close range driving maul climaxing with a try on debut for front rower Matt Coles. Simmons potted the extras to make it 10-0 towards the end of the first quarter.

Ivybridge. like their hosts, still searching for their first win of the season, grew into the encounter and were on the front foot for the next period. Leon Horn was called upon to make a try saving tackle and clearance as the pressure intensifier. Eventually a weak shoulder in the home midfield saw visitors back row Furse run in unopposed between the uprights. Out half Brown added the extras to reduce the arrears nearing the half hour point. The home side then lost lock Brad Curtis to the bin but managed the deficit well. In fact they were next on the board approaching the interval. A kick ahead and a footrace saw the prolific Leon Horn, today positioned at outside centre, score out wide for a try excellently converted by Simmons. Okes now led 17-7 and continued to press.The hosts were then also held up over the whitewash when they may have gained reward by moving it wide. Ivy soon moved up field after a loose Okes kick, landing another penalty before the turnaround to make it 17-10 as the teams left the pitch.

The second half began, the Okes now benefiting fully from the returning experience of Messrs Mcgrattan, Friend and Abrams. It was soon Ivy's turn to lose one to the bin,but like the Okes they scored whilst down to 14. Another Brown penalty reducing the margin to a mere four points. Okes came again and were striving for a turnover deep in the visitor's twenty two. Ivy won the ball, but fly half Brown was tackled in his own in goal area. He tried to offload a pass but only succeeded in finding Oke fly half Dan Fogerty, who gleefully accepted the gift for the Okes third try. Simmons added the extras and the gap was now a more comfortable eleven points. Entering the last quarter of this end to end encounter and it was Ivy with the upper hand possession wise. They stretched Oke's defence before a neat inside pass exposed the Okes inside cover and centre Charlie Briant had a clear run in. The kick made it 24-20 and the balance tipped again.

Okes had looked threatening out wide all afternoon. Their width eventually paying dividends as a sharp Fogerty half break created enough space to set Leon Horn free and he showed sufficient gas to outpace the defence to grab Okes bonus point try. Inevitably Simmons was on the money from the tee and at 31-20 Okes finally had some breathing space. The maroon and ambers never make it easy though and slowly Ivy grabbed a foothold as time ticked away, Firstly another penalty reduced the arrears before space wide left saw winger Morgan cross as we hit time added on. Brown 's excellent conversion increased home nerves as the game restarted. In the dying seconds ivy were awarded a penalty and potted it in the Okes twenty two. Home tension soon turned to delight though as the Oke pilfered the lineout to seal a priceless five point win.

Hopefully Okes have turned a corner with this win. Momentum will need to be maintained though as they travel to local rivals and unbeaten Launceston next Saturday. It's sure to be a cracker so don;t miss out.. ' Come On You Okes!'