This was always going to be a close Xmas encounter, the weather also proving a great leveller. Okes began up the slope on a very windy, but not as wet as expected, afternoon. The hosts began well but a missed touch proved costly and Tivvy landed an early penalty to lead 3-0. With the elements in their favour the visitors then soon struck for their only try. After an attacking five-yard scrum they slid over on the short side. A tricky conversion given the conditions was landed, and Okes found themselves 10 points behind because of just two errors.
From this point onwards Okes were dominant. Even against the conditions they monopolised possession and territory for the remainder of the first forty. Buoyed by a sizable crowd, the home side began to make plenty of ground through their increasingly impressive ball carriers. Messrs Pearce, Curtis, Luxton and Arnold to the fore. The visitors were forced to offend to halt progress and eventually lost two to the bin as a result.
Okes scored their only try of the first forty on the half hour mark. Richie Friend producing a sweet over the top of the tackle offload to put winger Matt Dennis away. He crossed in clubhouse corner to much rejoicing and the Okes were now five in arrears after the extras were missed. Half time arrived and Okes would’ve been pleased with their small deficit.
Now with the elements the hosts began the second half brightly and took the lead after much forward pressure eventually brough a close-range score from prop Pat Nash. Leon Horn converted, and it seemed Okes would soon extend their lead. However, to Tivvy’s immense credit, they manfully battened down the defensive hatches for the rest of the match. Okes now had all territory and possession. They kept Tivvy encamped in their own twenty-two for long periods. A combination of defensive grit and Okes failure to turn pressure into tries meant the scoreline never progressed. Okes turned down kickable penalties and seemed certain to score on many occasions only to be thwarted, sometimes by knock ons or poor decisions, but also though penalty offences/ turnovers. A score finally came after good initial work by Leon Horn but the ref adjudged crossing and it remained just a two-point game.

The darkness descended and the game followed the same pattern until its climax. Okes clearly on top and deserved winners, but full credit to a Tiverton side who refused to collapse under the intense pressure. The hosts unbeaten run continues, and all will now enjoy a well-earned break and festivities, with the next league match brining a trip to Wellington on the 4th Jan.

Merry Xmas one al all and …‘Come On You Okes!’