The home side had been forced into changes this week, mainly up front due to unavailability and also head injuries obtained in last week's narrow defeat at Drybrook. Uni arrived with a reputation for a fast open style, and the pitch, plus initial weather, were set fair for an exciting contest. That's exactly what the gathered crowd, including a collection of ex Oke players got, as both sides looked to be expansive throughout the first forty.

Okes are already finding the feet nicely at level five and unlike this season's previous encounters, the hosts started strongly and for once didn't concede during the first few minutes! Okes were against the incline first up and were immediately competitive and fierce in the tackle; welcome traits they continued to display all afternoon. Both sides created openings, but it was the visitors who gained the first scoring chance with a kickable penalty award . They opted to punt to the corner, but the Okes successfully repelled the lineout as the first fifteen minutes drew to a close. Okes continued to probe whenever they were in possession, and decent phase play put them on the attack just outside the Uni twenty two in the 18th minute. Unfortunately the visitors rush defence forced a risky pass and it was gratefully intercepted by uni winger Davies,who raced home untouched for a score that was largely against the run of play.

A bitter blow, but to the Okes credit they didn't let it affect them and were soon back on the front foot. Into the second quarter and the Okes pressure forced the visitors to infringe. The tap penalty was taken quickly by the Okes and shipped left to fly half Dan Fogarty lurking out wide. The home ten scooted over for the Okes first try, leaving it 7-5 after the conversion drifted wide. The bulky Uni pack soon responded and the visitors were in the ascendancy during the next period. They missed an eminantly kickable penalty before striking for their second try in the 25th minute. A rare Okes missed tackle in midfield allowed the university Number eight to charge towards the Oke uprights, before offloading to his inside center who finished the move to extend their lead. The score now standing at 14-5 after the simple extras were landed.

Undaunted, the Okes soon retaliated.Bevon Armitage leading the way, imperious during his time on the pitch,especially in defence. He forced yet another turnover to allow the Okes another attacking opportunity. What followed was one of the best passages of play seen at the Showfield in some time. Excellent continuity, handling, clearing out and support lines saw the Okes make steady progress towards the student's tryline. Phase after phase was martialed effectively until the increasing pressure finally forced a crack in the Uni defence. Oke prop Pat Nash with the final powerful drive across the whitewash, near the uprights, with his teammates in close attendance. The home crowd erupted and the maroon and amber belief was on the rise. Richie Friend landed the extra two, and it was now merely a two point ball game with just over five minutes of a breathless first forty remaining. The host weren't done yet though, the visitors were rattled, not having it their own way and forced into errors by an increasingly ferocious home defence. On 37 minutes , under pressure deep in their own twenty two, the students kicked to clear their lines. The clearance was deftly controlled by Okes winger Ryan Lee who fed skipper Tom McGrattan to his left, just inside the visitor's half. The Okes captain and number eight, who was to put in an outstanding performance throughout, set off seeking to re-establish an attacking platform. However he stunned the Uni defence and the home crowd simultaneously, as he cut a swathe through numerous defenders clad in green.Demonstrating strength, balance and no shortage of hoof, he sliced through all defensive efforts to cross for a superb score, running around behind the uprights to give the Okes the lead and all the impetus as the half time whistle loomed.Friend added the conversion, and the sides soon turned around with the Okes full value for their five point lead at the interval.

The weather, which started so promisingly, had now deteriorated into a steady shower. The pitch remained impeccable however as the sides returned from their respective changing rooms. The conditions were to play their part in the second forty as the Okes began where they left off. Rushing in defence and terrier like in the tackle, the home side pressurised the visitors whose error rate increased accordingly. An early Okes penalty attempt was wide, before the hosts extended their lead with a successful three pointer on 53 minutes. Richie Friend again doing the business to take the lead to eight points. Generally the visitors were second best throughout the second stanza, however they did have one spell of pressure during a five minute period, in which the Okes fell increasingly foul of the referee. Consecutive penalties allowed the students to pound away at the Oke tryline. Eventually they were across it, but Okes had surely held them up. However the man in the middle had spotted an offence and awarded a penalty try, coupled with a yellow card for Okes center Armitage. Disbelief was the general reaction, but the match restarted and the Okes needed to shrug it off and respond if they were to secure a priceless victory.

Into the last quarter now, the home side were down to 14 and all subs had now made an entrance and an impact. The Okes dug in and continued to cause the visitors problems. Effective, intelligent use of the boot from half backs Bolt and Fogarty established territory. The Oke kick chase was relentless and determined all afternoon. Increasing Oke territory and possession saw the home side batter the fringes. Finally the dam broke in the 62nd minute and it was apt that it was Liam Sampson, tireless throughout, who plundered the bonus point try, diving over after a close range ruck situation. The conversion was a good one and at 29-21 the reward of a five point victory was firmly within reach.

The second half pattern continued as the Okes turned their opponents and forced them to attack from deep. On 64 minutes Okes forced another penalty that Richie Friend landed, the students now requiring two tries to regain the lead. Another effort was wide eight minutes later, but all the play was now in the visitors half as the Okes allowed no respite. Time ebbed away and the Okes were comfortable. Into the last throes and the home side were back on the attack, once more Uni were forced to infringe bang in front and the Okes opted for posts. Richie Friend booted it over the bar, and the final whistle immediately blew to bring down the curtain on an outstanding home effort.

As the players left to well deserved plaudits and praise, club members reflected on these halcyon days. Okes have never plied their trade so high, and have acquitted themselves superbly so far. The club is going from strength to strength and long may it continue. Your support however is essential and invaluable, please bring it to the seaside next Saturday, as Oke travel to take on a well stocked Exmouth outfit for a first league encounter for many years between these two old rivals... It should be a cracker...