1sts- Honours even in basement battle

Hurricane Eunice was still present but slightly subdued, as the match kicked off in rare sunshine, watched by a large sponsors day gathering. Okes began with the slope and wind in their favour. Keen to put points on the board early, the hosts made a bright start. Leon Horn made early inroads with a midfield break but ran out of support as the Okes tried to run the ball at every opportunity.

Eight minutes in and the home side got the score their initial dominance had threatened. Several phases of play eventually creating room on the left flank where the prolific Leon Horn had a run in, after hands along the Okes backline. His twelfth try of the season was expertly converted from out wide by skipper Dan Fogerty. Soon after Okes suffered the blow of losing centre Brandon Horn, forcing a reshuffle with Richard Bolt off the bench and into an unaccustomed midfield role. Okes continued to have the upper hand, but failed to use the boot despite the strong breeze at their backs. This allowed the visitors to fan out and defend in centre field for long periods. Knock ons were abundant as the hosts passes at time lacked sympathy in the windy conditions.

Okes continued to probe away, but a stuttering scrum and loose line outs prevented them creating a stable supply of possession. Then just before the interval the hosts finally struck for a second time. Player coach Gareth Evans, now on in the front row, broke through an attempted tackle midway out in the visitor's twenty two to force his way over. Again Fogerty was on the money with the extras, but as the interval arrived soon after, a fourteen point point lead looked a slim one given the conditions.

The second half commenced but Okes lead disappeared in a flash, as loose play combined with flimsy defence allowed the Wiltshire based visitors two tries in just four minutes, to bring the scores level. The visitors continued to hold sway as the half unfolded, they pounded away before the visiting left winger was awarded a corner score to put the Okes behind for the first time in the match.

To their great credit, this young Okes outfit refused to lay down and struck back just minutes later. Richard Bolt reverted to scrum half and the move immediately reaped dividends. Awarded a penalty on the visitors twenty two line, the Oke experienced backs coach took a quick tap before carving his way through a flailing defence to cross by the uprights. After the conversion the Okes were now back in front, albeit by a narrow two point margin. Okes tails were now up and two minutes later they produced the outstanding moment of this open encounter. Prop Jonny King was put into space in midfield and charged upfield before offloading to his supporting backline. Deft inside and outside passes ensued before winger Leon Horn eventually gave an inside try scoring pass to young Okes number eight Saul Holliday. Having an excellent all round game the back rower gleefully dived over wide out for his maiden first team five pointer,to stretch the home lead to seven after the conversion went awry.

Fifteen minutes remained, but with both sides much more adapt at attacking than defending, this was surely not the end of the scoring. Sure enough, with just a couple of minutes remaining, the Okes defence finally gave way after long spells without the ball. A quick tap and rumble bringing the scores level as time ticked away. In the seconds remaining the game continued to ebb and flow, and Okes looked like they may snatch a win as they pounded away at the visitors line in time added on. Frustratingly though they were turned over and the ball was kicked dead to signal a draw, a result that really suited neither of these teams, fighting as they are to escape from the confines of the table's lower echelons.

Not the result the home side wanted, but given the continuing struggles with injuries and unavailabilities perhaps not a surprising one. Okes continue to blood youngsters who gain valuable experience as the campaign heads towards its climax. There were plenty of bright spots in attack and the discipline was much improved from recent weeks, with no yellow cards in sight! However Okes need to improve their defence if they are to gather more wins before the seasons climax. Next week sees a rearranged trip to high flying Hornets. 2.30 PM kick Off.. 'Come On You Okes!'