1sts- Narrow victory in game of two contrasting halves

Both sides are at the wrong end of the table, but this game of two contrasting halves will give each a boost as they strive for consistency. Okes had the upper hand in the first forty, but as on several occasions this term, after building a decent lead they were forced onto the back foot in the second half to ensure yet another closer than necessary final scoreline.

The visitors started brightly on the back of their victory last week over Ivybridge. Okes soaked up the early pressure and started to grow into the game as they looked to take advantage of the slope first up. Conditions were bitter, but not as windy as first feared. As the quarter hour mark was reached the home side struck the first real blow. Almost inevitably it was the prolific Leon Horn who grounded the first try. After concerted pressure the ball was shipped left, and it was returning center Matt Tichias who made the crucial half break and offload that put Horn in down the left flank. He scooted toward the posts leaving skipper Dan Fogerty a relatively easy extra two to make it 7-0 to the home side.

Okes now seemed in relative control, but a crucial penalty allowed the Cornish visitors to take play up to the home twenty two. Okes looked to be defending confidently as the ball went into midfield. However a step inside an attempted tackle allowed the visiting winger to straighten up and through two more attempted tackles to cross between the uprights. 7 points apiece after 23 minutes and the Okes had to start all over again as they sought a vital first half advantage.

The home side wasted little time restoring their lead. On 27 minutes it was the increasingly influential front row presence of Johnny King that unlocked the Cornish defence. Having already demonstrated powerful carrying prowess that he would display all afternoon. The Okes prop set off on another bulldozing foray, before illustrating deft hands with a sweet offload to the supporting Ollie Francis. The ever willing Okes back rower stepping and then holding off a tackle to score to the right of the uprights. Fogerty added the conversion and the Okes were off and running once more.

Less than ten minutes to the interval now and the home side struck for their third and most pleasing score of the half. Jack Ogbourne, growing in stature by the week with another impressive all action display, began the move with a crucial turnover and run out of defence. The ball was then kicked ahead, and as it bounced up invitingly Okes winger Rob Fishleigh gathered but was then tackled moments later. With great presence of mind he offloaded as he went down to that man King, omnipresent and once more fully on the hoof. Displaying fine hands once more he fed inside to his onrushing captain. Dan Fog then accelerating past the last defender for a cracking try to delight the home support. The conversion was missed though and as the Okes failed to ad to their tally before the half time whistle blew, many wondered once more- was 19-7 enough of a margin?

It wa inevitable that the visitors would come out firing in the second forty, and although Okes stretched their lead with another Fogerty penalty in the opening minutes; much of the rest of the half belonged to the visitors who used the slope effectively with good use of the boot. Both sides emptied their benches but it was Camborne who were gaining momentum. They started to get on top at scrum time and the Okes lineout, which started so effectively, became loose and untidy. On 47 minutes the pressure eventually told. A close range drive over try reducing the arrears to 8 points after a successful conversion. Okes forays out of their half were now rare, and when they did escape they couldn't sustain possession and territory for long enough periods. A kickable penalty was declined and punted into the corner, but once more the ball was turned over and pressure relieved.

Now into the last quarter the hosts were again forced to defend deep in their own twenty two. Replacement Karl Pearce then saw yellow and the pressure increased further. Okes defended bravely though and maintained their margin until the 74th minute. it was a Okes line out that finally gave the Cornishmen an opportunity that they snapped up effectively . Taking the ball over the back of the lineout they made inroads deep into the Okes twenty two, before offloads and good hands allowed their outside centre to cross in the bottom right corner. The difficult wide conversion was also potted and with the lead now just one point, home nerves were becoming frayed.

Much like against Weston and Bournemouth though, this young Okes side showed great mettle and desire to see the game out without any real further threat from the visitors. Yet another vital turnover allowing the Okes to kick it off to seal a vital home win. True it wasn't always pretty, and Okes need to be more clinical whilst in the ascendancy, which would surely bring the bonus point victories they are capable of and deserve. Ultimately its the win that is the important thing and there were glimpses once more of the attacking potential of this young side The maroon and ambers now head to Drybrook next Saturday seeking to break their away day duck with a win against the Forest of Dean outfit. KO is 2.30 PM and we'd love your support ...'Come On You Okes!'