Travelling through numerous floods on their long journey, many Okes supporters wondered how this game could possibly go ahead. At the end of a very dark afternoon they were very glad that it did, as the Okes demonstrated aqueous ability in abundance to return triumphant. In fact the pitch, despite the deluge, held up well throughout and with floodlights to illuminate the gloom the match was never really in doubt.

This was Okes first competitive match at the well appointed Monks Lane, and although their hosts were sitting bottom of the table, the visitors knew they would be in for a tough afternoon, as they sought to finally secure their first away win of the campaign. Kicking off into the driving drizzle the Okes began with purpose. Early kicking caused panic in home ranks and the Okes gained an early scrum in the hosts twenty two as a result. A solid drive at the set piece saw the Blues concede a penalty, and Richie Friend belied the conditions to boot the Okes into a lead after barely two minutes. Early signs continued to be promising for the visitors as they resisted early forays form the hosts, forcing knock ons in the difficult conditions. The hosts then secured a decent period of possession as the sides began to settle. On twelve minutes they were rewarded with a penalty bang in front, which proved no trouble for the hosts centre who levelled the scores.

Okes restart play was much improved this week, and from the resumption they forced a penalty which was punted into the top left corner. Unfortunately a lineout malfunction saw the chance disappear in the dampness. It wasn't long though before Okes increasingly effective driving lineout play brought forth another home infringement. Once more the ball was dispatched into touch near the home five meter line. After gaining possession Okes drove forward. Demonstrating admirable patience and deft handling given the conditions, they moved the ball right, then when play was shifted back to the left gaps appeared in the Blues defence. Yet more impressive hands released flanker Dean Abrams who barged over the whitewash for a valuable early score. Richie Friend struck a sweet conversion against the breeze from wide left and it was 10-3 to the Okes with a quarter of the match gone. Okes were now gaining increasing ascendancy in most aspects, with scrum half Richard Bolt controlling play nicely from the base via swift service and accurate box kicks, another score looked increasingly likely. As the match approached the half hour mark said score arrived, as once more the Okes defied the dankness, handling with remarkable dexterity. Several phases created more space wide out, before accurate Okes hands put fly half Dan Fogarty into enough space to slide over for another five pointer in the lucrative left corner. The conversion was short but at 15 -3 Okes were seemingly in control.

The restart was taken cleanly but the Okes were penalised soon after. This allowed Newbury another pot at goal. Once more the left footed effort was on point and it was now a nine point ball game. Minutes later the Okes lost flanker Abrams to injury, and as the match approached the interval understandable inaccuracies appeared from both sides. The Okes continued to press however and the home side infringed with increasing regularity. Firstly a penalty shot from Friend struck the uprights before bouncing to safety. Then another was dispatched into the clubhouse corner right on the interval. The Okes secured the lineout and pounded away around the fringes at close range. They couldn't force their way over but yet another penalty resulted. This time Richard Bolt had the presence of mind to take a quick tap, and avoiding the charging last defender he stepped inside and forced his way over for a crucial score beside the uprights. Richie Friend added the simple extras and when the half time whistle went the Okes were in possession of a precious 16 point advantage.

Conditions certainly hadn't improved as the second forty commenced. Okes had the rain and wind at their backs and again started the brighter. An early attacking scrum saw Bolt break down the short side and feed winger Ryan Lee. The young flyer chipped and chased, but was taken out before he got chance to win the race for the touchdown. The ref saw no infornigment though and the chance was gone. This was to be the last attacking threat for the Okes for some time, as the hosts grew increasingly into the contest. All Okes replacements had now entered the fray and it was the turn of the visitors to be forced to defend for long periods. In the 53rd minute Blues pressure brought a penalty chance, but the effort was snatched wide right. Blues continued to huff and puff in the Okes half without ever really threatening to cut loose. Okes defensive line remained firm and came up in a line effectively on numerous occasions to snuff out any developing danger.

The match was now well into its last quarter and the Okes defence was forced to demonstrate increasing equanimity as the hosts threw the kitchen sink at them. Flanker Ollie Francis was dispatched to the sin bin as the pressure ramped up. Now into the last ten minutes, Okes seven forwards were forced to defend a set scrum deep in their own twenty two. A great shove saw the Okes force the hosts back but the Blue's number eight picked up and broke blind, with considerable support he was forced over for a score that finally gave the home support something to cheer. The conversion never threatened, but at 22-11 the hosts sniffed at least a losing bonus point. However as the precipitation increased in intensity, so did the Okes set piece. The visitors scrummage went on to dominate proceedings during the dying minutes. As a result the Okes looked nailed on to gain a try bonus point as they set siege to the home line. Pushover attempts came and went, forward rumbles were foiled frustratingly, and Richie Friend seemed sure to score after an arching run but was stopped on the. Ultimately it mattered little though as when the final whistle sounded the Okes had secured a priceless away win in their quest for level five consolidation.

So finally the away monkey is off the back, the Okes have consistently shown that they could win on the road, if only they took their chances. Today they took them, and at times made light of the conditions as they increasingly prove that they merit a place in this league. The squad depth continues to impress, and the Okes can now enjoy a week off as its their turn for a breather before welcoming high flying Weston Super Mare to the showground on the 23rd November......that is one you won't want to miss...