The anticipation was palpable as the large crowd gathered at the Showground for this landmark fixture. ORFC secured promotion in style last season, but this, the first test at level six,was a journey into the unknown for both sides. Ultimately the home fans and players were delighted to come away with a vital four points, after a tense encounter affected by plentiful precipitation.

Okes have recruited well during the close season and all four new recruits/returnees selected would play their part in this fine home
performance. The hosts played against the incline in the first forty and despite the heavy rainfall virtually throughout, both sides valiantly tried to play attractive rugby.Conditions underfoot were excellent, but inevitably many passes went
to ground and as a result it was defences and goal kickers that would decide the final outcome.Unsurprisingly it was the visitors who came out firing initially. Used to the speed and physicality at this level, they tested the Oke resolve early doors as the boys in Maroon and Amber grew accustomed to the opposition and match conditions.Only four minutes were on the clock when Clevedon fly half Hill demonstrated his accurate boot with a well struck penalty goal to establish an early advantage for the Bristol based visitors. He potted
another on 19 minutes as the Okes struggled to secure much meaningful possession in the first quarter.

Slowly Oke established a foothold. Line out accuracy, with young hooker Jake Shin making his debut after graduating via the Colts, was
consistent and the set scrum was once more in the ascendancy, even when tested at this higher level.Most of the Okes possession was in midfield however, and no clear cut breaks were forthcoming. On 21 minutes the visitors infringed as they encroached illegally. Home centre Kevin Dennis, making a welcome return to the Oke ranks, showed perfect technique off the tee to reduce the arrears from 30 meters, gaining ORFC first points back in South West 1 to boot. This settled the Okes somewhat as the boys began to realise that despite the visitors size advantage, they are perfectly capable of competing in this elevated environment.

Nether side had yet created any clear cut openings but the crowd were still gripped by the contest nonetheless, the commitment and defensive resolve on show from both sides was significant.Half an hour had elapsed when Oke were harshly penalised for offside
at a ruck, and the reliable boot of out half Hill made no mistake from the resultant penalty to restore the visitor's lead to six
points. Oke's new signing Reece Groom came off the bench at this point, and made an immediate impact with a huge hit to gain possession straight from the Oke restart.This visibly lifted the Okes and they were soon to take a strike against the head, player coach Gareth Evans now also on at hooker to further strengthen the home set piece. Clevedon were soon forced to infringe once more, Okes were awarded a penalty two minutes before the break and Kevin Dennis was again accurate to reduce the arrears as the interval loomed. There were a few nervy moments before half time, but Okes held firm and were happy to enter the break only two points in arrears, with slope and wind advantage to come, and with 40 minutes of valuable SW1 experience in their locker.

The match restarted and the second half was to follow a familiar pattern to the first. Both sides struggling to threaten out wide due
to conditions, the visitors settling to crash up the middle and test Oke around the fringes. Okes were well up to both of these examinations though as the host's defensive hits grew in intensity. Okes scrum was still on the front foot , and when the home side were awarded an attacking scrum in the Clevedon half they drove forward irresistibly, forcing the blue and yellow's front row to collapse and concede another kickable penalty. Oke number 12 Dennis stepped forward once more and stroked over another three pointer to tie the scores and 9 pts apiece. Oke made more changes with an hour on the clock as debutant Nick Burgess made his bow, allowing the returning Richie Friend to slot in at scrum half.Dennis came up just short with an ambitious penalty from halfway before Clevedon's Hill did likewise on 64 mins, only from a much more advantageous spot.

Okes were now wisely putting the ball downfield to gain territorial advantage, knowing that it was unlikely Clevedon count counter
effectively from deep. The pressure was paying off as another penalty was conceded by the visitors on 67 minutes.
Kevin Dennis made the visitors pay with another excellent kick from midway out on the right hand flank, to put the Maroon and Ambers in front for the very first time. Oke front row legend Ian Langbridge was subbed after another sterling performance up front as Oke shuffled the pack once more.With ten minutes remaining Clevedon shot themselves in the foot through a lack of discipline, scrum half Lowis seeing yellow after some needless niggle. To compound the visitors agony they had been awarded a penalty on halfway which was reversed due to the indiscipline which would leave them a man short for the remaining minutes.

Into the last five minutes and the Okes strove for the match sealing score. The visitors conceded another penalty as they pulled down an
ominous advancing Oke maul and Kevin Dennis potted the inevitable three points. Clevedon were not out of this though, and they advanced into the Oke's half as time ticked away. Defence however was Okes' strong point today, and when second rower Sam Turner put in another trademark monster hot on the elusive Clevedon winger the ball was lost and the visitor's hopes with it.
The excellent referee blew for full time and crowd an players alike raised their arms in a mixture of relief and celebration.

So in all a near perfect debut at level six for this developing side. Oke had many new combinations that will take time to bed in and
flourish. As conditions hopefully improve we will hopefully see another side of the Okes potential out wide over the coming weeks.
Next up is a long away trip to face Forest of Dean side Drybrook RFC, another team established at this level and one that will provide a
stern physical challenge up front. A bus will be available should numbers suffice, so please join the sizable crowd that enjoyed an
enthralling match today and come along to support your local side.

Okehampton RFC

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