1sts- Home comforts as Okes win Devon derby

The weather certainly wasn't conducive to open rugby, but both sides deserve praise for their efforts in what turned out to be an extremely entertaining encounter. Okes were seeking revenge for an early season defeat at Cross in Hand, whilst the visitors were looking to end to a recent run of defeats. Ivy kicked off first, down the slope on a very wet and dark Moorland afternoon.

Okes were on top early doors after a bright start punctuated by penalty concessions by the visiting men in green. Oke skipper Dan Fogerty gave the hosts an early lead from one such award after four minutes, a sign of things to come, the captain having a fine afternoon from the tee. The visitors slowly grew into the game and they began to apply pressure around the Okes twenty two as the home side started to commit offences themselves. Experience Ivy out half Grieveson missed a penalty approaching the quarter hour mark , but the visitors wouldn't have to wait long to get on the scoreboard. Towards the end of the first quarter they ensconced themselves close to the Okes line after a catch and drive attempt was initially repelled. Eventually the pressure told however and a forward rumble saw the visitors take a 5-3 lead after the conversion was pulled.

Ivy were having their best spell of the match now and more Oke infringements brought another close range lineout in the bottom right corner just minutes later. This time Okes were unable to stop the resultant advancing maul, and blindside flanker Prout was soon grounding another five pointer. This time the extras were added and after a promising start, Okes now needed to get a foothold in the time remaining before the interval.

Okes began to advance up the slope increasingly as the half wore on. The home lineout was excellent, particularly given the conditions. Hooker Jake Shinn demonstrating arrows that wouldn't have looked out of place at Ally Pally last weekend. On 34 mins, Richie Friend, ebullient as ever and at nine this week, poked a clever 50-20 kick into the clubhouse corner. The visitors illegally stopped the lineout drive that followed and Dan Fog obliged to reduce the arrears to 6 points. Five minutes later and an almost carbon copy offence allowed the Oke stand off and skipper to narrow the margin to a mere three. Okes would've been happy with a three point deficit as the half ended, however it could've been even better but they missed a two on one opportunity with the last play of the half. Both sides retreated to the warmth of the changing rooms, whilst the crowd found comfort of their own in the bar.

The second forty began with the Okes seeking an early score to get back on terms. It didn't take long as they immediately applied significant pressure. Richie Friend took a quick tap and was illegally halted in the process by Ivy prop Finn, who saw yellow for his misdemeanours. The attempt at posts was missed but as the hosts ramped up the pressure up front, it wasn't long before Fogerty levelled the scores up with his fourth successful penalty on 46 minutes. Okes were now fully in the ascendancy and on 51 minutes the home side had a five meter scrum after pinning the visitors deep in their own twenty two once more. The Okes eight drove forward relentlessly, allowing number eight Joe Mawle the opportunity to ground his maiden pushover try for the firsts and Oke's opening five pointer of the afternoon. Fogerty potted the simple extras and the hosts finally had the lead.

The visitors were now having real trouble escaping the confines of their own half, as the hosts used the slope effectively. Entering the last quarter another penalty allowed Okes to punt the ball into the bottom right corner. The catch and drive attempt went to ground, but after a Friend snipe and a couple of forward rumbles the defence cracked and Okes prop Tom White powered over to extend the home lead. It was 26-12 after Fogarty was on the mark again with the extra two. The result now seemed assured but the hosts continued to press as they sought the two tries that would bring a rare, and welcome, bonus point. Into the last ten minutes and once more a kick to the corner . No score was forthcoming but Ivy lost another forward to the bin soon after. Okes set up camp on the Ivy line as time ticked away, the visitors bravely tried to play from under their own uprights but spilt the ball, allowing Okes centre Brandon Horn to ground the loose ball for Okes third and very fortunate score. Foggy again added the two and at 33-12 the hosts were home and hosed. Okes were striving for the elusive fourth try but it never arrived and the visitors even found a late spurt of their own. No more points were added though, and as the final whistle went it was a valuable four league points for the home side.

Another strong home performance from the Maroon and ambers, who now need to find this kind of form on their travels as they look to climb the table. Plenty of positives again this week as this young side grow steadily in stature and expectation. Next week brings a tough trip to Weston Super Mare.. KO 2.30 PM- ' Come On You Okes!'