A Christmas break did the home side no favours as they lacked zest, cutting edge and decision-making throughout.playing down the slope first half the game was very scrappy and errors abounded. The home side scrum and line out was effective but it took until right on the interval for the hosts to open the scoring. Replacement hooker Jack Rutley borrowing over from Close range for a score converted by Luke Simmons.

The second half began with Oke not fully switched on, allowing the visitors to level almost immediately. Things then got worse as a turnover trying to run the ball from deep, allowed the visitors to score their second wide out on the right and take a 7-14 lead.

The hosts then proceeded to have a decent 10 minutes, and regained the lead after winger Rob Fishleigh was on the end of a cross kick for Okes second try. Shortly after Rutley bagged his 2nd from a similar distance tint he first,and with both scores converted by Simmons the lead was now 21-14.Simmons then missed a kickable penalty and in the last quarter Oaks imploded. Ivy took their opportunities with a try in the bottom corner to make it 22-14 and then with the very last play of the game a score in the same corner snatched victory.

So a disappointing defeat, as the Okes were miles off the pre-Christmas levels of performance. Hopefully one that can be written off as a blip and the Okes will need to produce much better on their travels to Teignmouth next Saturday, kickoff 2.30.

“Come On You Okes!”