After last week disappointing showing, Okes needed a strong performance back on home turf against first time visitors Maidenhead. The hosts were forced into yet more changes this week, but the lads on show demonstrated resilience aplenty as their never say die attitude eventually saw them secure another valuable victory.

Despite the two day deluge that would have forced a postponement in days of yore, the Okes surface is now excellent whatever the weather. So when the rain ceased right on cue, just before kick off, the large crowd anticipated an open game. Open it was, both sides are known for their expansive tendencies, it was strange therefore that only 26 points were forthcoming all afternoon. The visitors received the kick off playing down the slope, an incline against which both sides would play better than when it was in their favour. Initial stages saw Maids threaten but Okes resisted and made their way upfield through various penalty awards. Unfortunately Okes had a mixed day with the boot from hand, several different members of the Oke backline were called upon in the absence of usual kicker Richie Friend, and on this occasion the ball went dead and the chance was gone. Okes were soon back on the attack though, and as the match approached the quarter hour mark elastic winger Brandon Horn made the first of many forays, bouncing off attempted Maids tackles taking play into the Magenta's twenty two. Okes piled on the pressure through a series of pick and goes but failed to cross the whitewash, Maids eventually relieving the pressure and countering downfield.

Okes are already learning that you have to take your chances when they came your way at this level, and that point was proven once more as the visitors struck in the 16th minute to take the lead. From an initial set scrum, where the sides had parity for the most of the game, they spread the ball left where Okes were guilty of flying in too keenly. An overlap was created and the move was finished by prolific left winger Prince. The conversion was pushed across the face of the posts and the Okes trailed by 5 only. The remainder of the half belong to the home side however, setting their own backs free whenever possible, they looked threatening on several occasions only to be denied by a forward pass, foot in touch or resolute Maids defence. Home frustration was increasing as chances came and went, then suddenly, with five minutes of the half remaining, Okes finally made a breakthrough. The penalty count was now ramping up and from one such award Okes scrum half Richard Bolt took a quick tap and go. He found half back partner Dan Fogerty, who slid through an astute grubber towards clubhouse corner. Okes right winger Ryan Lee set off like a rocket in swift pursuit, and won the race to the touchdown in front of the jubilant home support. His brother Kieran was given the tough task of the touchline conversion. The Okes full back was up to the ask and slotted it magnificently to yield the full seven points, no one knowing at the time just how crucial those two points would eventually become. The remainder of the half saw no further score, with Brandon Horn again prominent in defence, the Okes turned around two points to the good without ever fully hitting their straps, perhaps slightly miffed at not having a wider margin in their favour.

Now backed by the slope, Okes would have perhaps expected to be in the ascendancy during the second forty. However for long periods Maidenhead held sway. Their larger pack initially played keep ball without ever really threatening to make serious inroads. Okes were again disrupted by injuries and forced to shuffle their already rejigged backline. Penalty awards were now weighted in the visitors favour, and soon punted deep forcing Okes back into their twenty two and onto the defensive once more. Approaching the last quarter Maids battered away close to the home line via scrum, maul and rumble but found no way through the Okes irrepressible reaguard. The hosts were struggling to escape the confines of their own half and this tight match looked sure to go to the wire.

Into the last ten minutes and Okes were still hanging onto their narrow lead. A kick deep into the Okes twenty two was chased more in hope than promise, however the Okes contrived to make a mess of their defensive clearance. It was charged down by the visitors, and when the ball bounced kindly into Okes in goal area it was that man Prince who was again on hand to pounce and give the visitors the lead with just over five minutes remaining. Keohane added the simple extras. Cruel on the Okes but would this error cost them the match?

Finally, and for the first time in a while, Okes re-entered Maids territory as they strove for the score that would restore their lead. The home side showed renewed vigour and intent as they probed away. Brandon Horn was then set free down the Okes left with three minutes remaining. He chipped the last defender but couldn't quite win the foot race. The Okes were now camped on Maids five meter line though as they threw everything at the visitors in search of a match winning score. The hosts forced scrums and penalties as they continued to press. They used backs and forwards alike in their efforts to cross the line. Then just as it seemed nothing would prove fruitful, replacement flanker Ollie Francis took a pass on a sweet, short line and dived over to send the home fans delirious. The score were still level though and Dan Fogerty was the man who strode forward to take the pressure laden conversion. He calmly slotted it and the Okes had the lead as the match ticked into injury time. Home nerves were now shredded as the home side made a mess of the restart. Maids secured the ball and threw the dice with a last minute drop goal attempt. Maroon and amber hearts were in mouths...but it drited wide! Okes had sealed another valuable home victory at the death.

Not the expected high scoring encounter, but a thriller nonetheless. Okes again made hard work of it at times, but their effort and commitment could not be faulted. Improved away results are the next target for the Okes, starting within their next encounter, in a fortnight's time away to fellow level 6 promotees Newbury. As always your invaluable support is always appreciated..

" Come On You Okes!"