Okes first three matches of the season could all have gone either way. The hosts were looking to make it 3 out of 3 as they welcomed ambitious Tiverton to the Showground. Being a rearranged fixture on a schedule blank week, obviously meant some unavailabilities, however the home side began up the slope in a confident fashion.

They found themselves in strong attacking positions several times in the first 10 minutes, but crucially turned down a kickable penalty in front of the posts which ultimately could’ve been crucial.

The first quarter saw both sides testing each other out without throwing any real attacking punches. However, the rest of the half was not a positive one from an oke perspective, as they were way too passive at the breakdown and in defence generally. The visitors grew in confidence as a result, and with Oke allowing them far too much clean and easy possession, they took full advantage to cross for three tries in quick succession. Two of the visitors scores resulted from Okes running from deep, getting isolated, then turned over. Brandon Horn was as ever fearsome in defence but he lacked similar support.

So finding themselves 21-0 down into the last 10 minutes of the first half; Okes really needed to respond to stay ain the contest, even at this early point. Three minutes of the first forty remained as Oke finally returned to the visitors 22. A penalty was kicked to touch and from the resultant line out an unstoppable catch & drive saw hooker Jack Rutley ground the hosts first five pointer. Luke Simmons, back from injury for the first time this season, slotted the extras. Now Okes just needed to hold out until the interval, regroup and attack the second half. However, they slipped straight back into their earlier bad traits, another poor missed tackle out wide allowed Tivvy’s right winger to restore their 21 point advantage right on the halftime whistle.

So the second half commenced with the hosts boasting the slope and wind advantage, but a large deficit to retrieve. Finally showing more intensity, they started brightly and put Tivvy under pressure. Okes struck early in the half with a try from young back rower Wilf Mallinson, fresh out of the colts and part of a very young and largely unexperiencedhe back row. Simmons rustily failed to convert but home hopes increased ever so slightly ..

Tivvy responded as Okes began to concede penalties again. They missed chances at goal though and the home side made them pay. The visitors took a yellow and Leon Horn kicked the penalty quickly ahead. This eventually resulted in a 5 yard scrum for the Okes. it seemed like a pushover was likely, Okes instead decided to move the ball into midfield and eventually Leon Horn found enough of a gap to squeeze over midway out to further reduce the arrears. This time Simmons added two to make it 19-28.

Okes now had all the momentum in this game of contrasting halves. It wasn’t long before they were back in the red zone once more. Prop Pat Nash ,non stop as usual, burrowed over from short range to make it just a two point game. Simmons converted.

Remarkably there was still almost a quarter left of this open encounter . Okes though then lacked composure and patience and silly errors crept in. The penalties restored and Okes needed experience and leadership with plenty of time remaining. The visitors kicked a three pointer to increase their advantage and then Okes took an unnecessary yellow card to further hinder their efforts.

Five points and a man down, the hosts rallied and when Brad Curtis crashed over for a trademark short range score the match was all square. Uncharacteristically Simmons missed the conversion again, but at 31-31 this was anyone’s to win.

Yet again though bad decisions and hasty offences killed the Okes momentum. Trying to force things they conceded too many penalties as time ticked away. Injuries caused changes and the visitors landed a penalty to take the lead once more. Unfortunately more infringements in the time teaming stopped any home hopes of snatching victory from coming to fruition.

So a narrow loss , but considering Okes have been nowhere near their expected form thus far, they still sit in a healthy league position and can put things right. Beginning next Saturday with the visit of a struggling Winsvombe side. Ko is 3pm.. see you there ..

“Come on you Okes! “