After last week‘s disappointing defeat, Okes bounced back in convincing fashion with this comfortable win against struggling visitors Winscombe.

Things didn’t start greatly for the hosts though as they were under pressure early doors. Playing up the slope they soon fell behind to a try by the visitors, big powerful right winger who caused problems for the Oke defence throughout the first half. The conversion was missed but the oaks were five points down after just five minutes.

The home side responded, and with the benefit of a slight breeze we’re soon pressurising the visitor’s line. From short range fly Luke Simmons took a switch ball and crossed to bring the scores level after 10 minutes. The conversion was missed but it was already obvious that the Okes had the ascendancy in the scrummage where the visitors struggled. Although it has to be said that the visitors offloading game was causing Oke numerous problems.

Twenty minutes had elapsed when number eight Saul Holliday, on his return to the side, benefited from one such powerful set scrum and picked up from close range to spin then cross to give the hosts the lead. Simmons has landed the conversion and it was 12-7 after the first quarter. Slowly Oke were now gaining the upper hand, and with just three minutes remaining of the half, full back Leon Horn was the instigator of Okes third try when his break ended with his brother Brandon crossing in the clubhouse corner. Making it 19-7 after another Simmons successful conversion, however on scoring the try a large melee ensued, and as a result Brandon Horn and the visitors scrum half both took 10 minutes in the bin.

So with just three minutes of the half to play both sides were down to 14 men. A worrying trend recently has been oaks tendency to allow scores right on the interval. This week was no different as they allowed the aforementioned powerful right winger to bulldoze his way through tackles again almost immediately from the restart for winscombe second try. Then things got even worse, as a minute later he popped up in midfield and caused more chaos, before offloading to bring the visitors to within two points as the halftime whistle blew .

Oke made three changes at the break, then started brightly with the scrum again causing problems for the visitors just five minutes into the half. The home side nearly scored but from the resulting defensive 5 metre scrum, Oke forced the visitors backwards and scrum half Ryan Gross, growing in stature well by week, pounced for the bonus point try. The conversion attempt hit the top of the posts but failed, but at 24-17 the hosts now looked to push on and extend their lead. it wasn’t long before their fifth try arrived. Saul Holliday, after being held up over the line just previously, was able to ground a pushover try as the scrum dominance continued. Simmons this time landed the conversion and it was now a two score margin.

Home props Nash and Butt were putting in another all action 80 minute performance, and Okes were now fully in the ascendancy as the visitors tired. Replacement hooker Will Holland went on a strong charge and the hosts took full advantage with Gross finding fullback Leon Horn on a short sharp line. The home number 15 crossed for his mandatory score. It was now 38-17 and the gaps were appearing out wide with increasing regularity. Replacement winger Amos Ogborne was soon scorching down the right flank before feeding the ever in support Leon Horn. The Okehampton number 15 crossing for his brace as Okes stretched away. The conversion was missed but there was still time for the hosts to attack on more before the close.

The home side ran the ball from deep in their own half, once again the Leon Horn hit a lovely line at pace and after covering half the pitch he fed inside to sibling Brandon who rounded off a lovely score to finish the afternoons performance in some style. This tim Simmons was on the mark with the conversion and Okehampton had brought up the half century as the match came to a one-sided conclusion.

So far from perfect, Okes were much improved this week, bar a dodgy defensive patch at the end of the first half . Another five points in the bag and a confidence boost for the lads as they look to entertain league leaders Penzance at home next week. It should be a cracker of a contest, kickoff is 3 pm and as always your support would be greatly appreciated.

“Come on you Okes!”