1sts- Harsh Lesson at Champions elect

The Uni are going up and deservedly so; with the amount and quality of players at their disposal they certainly should expect nothing less. Okes meanwhile travelled with a 19 year old back rower in the centre, alongside a similarly inexperienced winger adding to a current colt in his first game of senior rugby on the wing. Considering the unavailabilities this week and as it was bottom versus top, the young Maroon and ambers can be proud of their efforts and were it not for some strange decisions costing them three men in the bin in the last fifteen minutes, perhaps would have come away with a four try bonus point for their endeavours.

The weather was perfect for open rugby and the students struck early in imonous fashion. Okes weer not overawed though and to the surprise of the watching crowd actually responded brilliantly to take the lead after two early scores of their own. The first on 6 minutes created by the experience and nous of scrum half Richard Bolt at the back of a Uni scrum on their own five. Flanker Giles Heard, in his first appearance for the first team in several seasons gladly pounced on the loose ball to dive over, Captain Fogerty converted. Then just four minutes later it was Fogerty the creator this time, as his blind side break was taken on by winger JJ Beasley who fed arch poacher Loen Horn on the inside who scooted over for yet another try of this prolific first campaign.

So 12-7 up, but it wasn't a lead that lasted long. The students then found their stride and dominated the rest of the half. Okes inexperienced back line struggling to contain the students pacey, powerful backs. Okes forwards were also unable to provide much cover once the initial breaks were made, and as result the green and whites ran in another six tries to sit 45-12 ahead as the interval arrived.

Even though the hosts ran in another try almost straight from the restart, the second half was a much more even affair. Okes had the upper hand for most of the third quarter. Their frustrations not helped firstly by losing leader Gaz Evans to the bin. Then after piling pressure on the uni try line, the students persistently infringing but never punished numerically for their indiscretions. High tackles aplenty also went without sanction as little went Okes way. Then on minute 68 a little bit of Bridestowe born magic brought the Okes third score. A Dan Fog chip ahead grasped by the onrushing Leon Horn who had enough wheels to run in from distance. The skipper adding embellishment with the simple extras.

It remained 52-19 until the last ten minutes. The ref then taking the game further out of Okes grasp by harshly sending two more visitors to the bin. Now down to 13, more tries were inevitable and the hosts ran in three more to make the final scoreline a harsh 71-19. Okes can hold their heads high though all things considered. Just one match now remains of this testing campaign, a home encounter against Exmouth in a fortnight's time. The home side will look to bounce back and put a smile on their President's face as he welcomes visitors for his annual day and luncheon. A good crowd is expected, why not come along and swell it a bit more..KO 3pm

'Come On You Okes!'