The visitors arrived at the showground for the first competitive fixture between these sides in six years. Ivy are now well established at level five and arrived in confident mood. The Okes are building a proud home record though and were determined to upset their verduous visitors.

The pitch was perfect underfoot despite the recent deluges, and when Okes kicked off down the slope an open exciting encounter was on the cards. The assembled crowd had hardly had time to take their places when the hosts struck in dramatic fashion. So oft this season Okes have started slowly and conceded an early score. This week the rugby boot was on the other foot as the maroon and ambers crossed for the first try after less than one minute. Ivybridge lost possession shortly after the kick off and Okes pounced, quickly spreading the ball right to left through the hands of their lively backline. Deft hands released winger Brandon Horn into space down the left flank; he drew the last defender perfectly and found ever willing fly half Dan Fogarty, running a fine support line on his outside. The Okes number ten scampered over to stun the visitors, making it seven nil to the hosts after Richie Friend's successful conversion.

The visitors were unbeaten for a reason however, and they soon showed their character as they took advantage of yet another loose Okehampton kick off receipt, setting up camp in the Okes twenty two. If there was one facet of Okes play throughout that was below par, it was the set scrum. Still lacking any recognised second row, the hosts failed to contain Ivy at a seventh minute scrummage, resulting in visiting number eight Northcott grounding a wheeled pushover effort. Fly half Grieveson, on his 200th appearance, was wide with the conversion but Okes were forced to start again after their initial flourish. Immediately from the restart Okes upped their defensive intensity. Tackles became increasingly forceful, however the nasty injury that resulted in Ivy's left winger breaking his leg was just very unfortunate. All at the Okes wish him well for a speedy recovery and the play restarted after the enforced hiatus.

The hosts began to gain increased possession, plus with the lineout functioning efficiently, the Okes wisely put the ball behind the Ivy rearguard and the next score looked increasingly likely. However, much as during long periods of the second half last time out at Exmouth, Okes weren't clinical enough, and as a result chances came and went throughout the remainder of the first forty. A cross kick from Fogarty to Ryan Lee nearly came off, later a trademark rumble from Rob Dugard looked to bring forth a five pointer, but the ref whistled for a defending penalty to bring the home crowds premature celebrations to an abrupt halt. The visitors defence was holding firm, but increasing infringements brought a yellow card to a member of their engine room. Okes gained a couple of attacking scrums, but moved the ball away early and the attacks were snuffed out by the dogged Ivy defence. The visitors were also forced into replacements as the heavy collisons took their toll and they were glad to hear the half time whistle sound, trailing by a mere two points.

Okes emerged from the confines of their changing room knowing they should've built a more substantial lead, but their home second half performances so far this season have been exemplary, and this was to be another example of the Okes levels of fitness and intensity as the game progressed. Ivy now had the slope in their favour and they started brightly, an early penalty via the reliable boot of Grievson giving them the lead for the first time in the match. Okes responded in kind as they began to stretch the green line, Richie Friend potting a penalty chance on an afternoon where the Oke full back boasted a 100% success rate. The visitors then lost their own number 15 Briant to injury, almost immediately after the restart, after attempting to stop Okes increasingly impressive left winger Brandon Horn. Okes ramped up the pressure during the next period and Ivy were forced to concede another kickable penalty. Friend's sights were now fully locked on, and it flew through the uprights to increase Oke's lead in this tight encounter to five points. A decent margin, but one that was short lived as Okes inability to secure the restart returned. Another penalty resulted, Grievson potting it to reduce the arrears once more.

Now into the last fifteen minutes, Okes runners came to the fore. Joey Bruce came in at nine and upped the tempo, Richard Bolt moved to ten and found increasing gaps. Rhys Palmer and Ryan Lee carved out openings up the Okes right flank with gathering purpose as the visitors began to hang on. On 70 minutes another Okes pen was punted into clubhouse corner, Okes were pressing, seeking the next score that would give them vital breathing space. Ivybridge were now down to 14 as they ran out of fit replacements. The hosts secured the lineout and tried to soften up the visitors around the fringes. Eventually sucking in the green defence sufficiently, they wisely shifted the ball left and when it reached Brandon Horn on the overlap he made no mistake, racing over for the try his all round efforts surely merited. A sweet score, made all the sweeter when Richie Friend added the extras from the far touchline. The home side were now buoyant, the visitors hanging on. Okes were now attacking from all over the field and they sealed the deal with a superb team score in the 77th minute. Cutting loose from deep inside their own half after a turnover, the ball was shipped right where Ryan Lee cut loose on the overlap. Great support and interplay ensued with Joey Bruce finally feeding Dan Fogarty, on his inside. Now shifted to full back, his superb support lines were justly rewarded as he held off the cover defence before gleefully diving over in front of a delighted clubhouse corner. Friend added the extras, and at 27-11 it was now just a case of hunt the try bonus point. Half chances appeared, but none were taken. In fact it was Ivybridge on the attack in the last minute, however more strong Okes defensive resolve ensured a final turnover to finish the contest.

In all another impressive home victory against another much fancied outfit. Okes were not always at their best, but an overall performance, particularly in the second half, full of desire and ferocity in the tackle was enough to secure another vital four points. Okes just now need to take this form on the road as they look to consolidate their position in the table. Next up is another local derby, and the most enticing of them all, as the Okes travel to near neighbours Launceston for what promises to be another hugely competitive encounter in front of a packed crowd. Okes traveling support will be there in numbers, please make sure you don't miss out..