A side with only one win away from home, traveling to take on the top of the league side packed full of experience of playing at a higher level, this was always going to be a tough ask for the Okes. No doubt the hosts were deserving winners, but after a lackluster first half , the second half effort from the Okes was deserving of a closer scoreline. Much like the earlier defeat at Exmouth, the Okes had plenty of territory and possession but once again the home side were more clinical when chances came their way; a lesson that the Okes are hopefully learning from during this, their first campaign at level five.

The first quarter of the match saw the Okes performance mirror the colour of their away strip. The hosts needed no second invitation when chances came their way and took the lead after just four minutes. Impressive center Ryan Carter was the catalyst, and after a lineout catch and drive moments later, the home pack rumbled over for a converted score and a seven point advantage. Okes slowly grew into the game but were dealt another cruel blow when a hopeful Barum kick into the Okes twenty two was allowed to bounce. The wicked rebound was kind for the hosts as it popped up directly into the arms of returning home player coach Jake Murphy who stode over between the posts. Now fourteen points down, things soon got worse for the Okes as they conceded a third score on 29 minutes. Once again it was the home midfield that created the initial inroads allowing winger Clark to cross in the left corner for an unconverted score.

Okes then lost center Rhys Palmer to the bin minutes later. Without a recognised kicker, Okes tried to run the ball in the minutes remaining of the half. The visitors did have the upper hand at scrum time but were unable to make it pay. The home defence held firm until the break, and at 19 points down it was a big ask for the Okes during the second forty.

The Okes coaching staff emboldened their outfit during the break and they certainly upped their efforts in the second half. Both sides lost a player to the bin in the early stages, Armitage and James taking a breather as the game became increasingly recalcitrant. Okes were forced to defend close to their line for a period before they escaped, and it then became the visitors turn to dominate possession and territory for the next twenty five minutes. However The Okes continued to fall foul of the referees interpretations, whilst they were unable to turn close range pressure into tangible rewards on the scoreboard. The game drifted towards a now certain home victory, the Okes seeking a consolation score that just would not come. As the last five minutes arrived, a barbarous offence at a ruck by the home side amazingly failed to bring forth a card, and the inevitable handbags that ensued eventually fizzled out.

Entering the Oke's twenty two on a rare second half excursion, the hosts sniffed a bonus point with time ticking away. The Okes seemed to have the danger covered but an unfortunate missed tackle on the replacement prop allowed Braum to garner the full five points. The final whistle blew and although the Okes will be disappointed that they never reproduced anything like their recent form, they still gave a decent account of themselves,and certainly weren't overawed at the home of the promotion chasing league leaders. The hosts were clinical and particularly effective in midfield. The Okes had the upper hand up front for substantial periods but will know they need to be more clinical themselves when Bracknell come to visit for the first time ever next Saturday. KO will be 2.30 PM,and with another landlords lunch taking place, the home crowd should be suitably sizable as the Okes look to maintain their 18 month unbeaten home run....