1sts- Nail biting victory puts smiles on home faces

Okes have suffered narrow defeats in two of their last three games, both matches they could and perhaps should have won. This time they made no mistake, with an excellent win that hopefully proves to be a watershed moment in a season of regrowth and rebuilding, The hosts won the toss and began up the slope against their Dorset visitors, themselves struggling to find their best form after dropping down into level 5 rugby. Early stages saw Okes on top, but uncharacteristic handling errors, intermittently appearing throughout the half, prevented any clear cut openings. However the home pressure was sustained enough to merit a penalty chance after 6 minutes which skipper Dan Fogerty, ever improving from the tee, slotted with aplomb for a 3-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived. the half becoming increasingly scrappy as it evolved. Visiting kicker Hancox demonstrated why he is so prolific with a leveller after 9 minutes, followed by two more successful kicks over the next 15 minute period. Okes continued to fall foul of the man in the middle and conceded another 3 pointer in the 25th minute, now trailing 12-3 despite the visiting Lions having creating no real chances from their possession. Okes defence was solid and the visiting threat only really came from the boot.

Another visiting penalty chance was missed as the half moved towards its conclusion. Okes marched off at the break knowing that they had nothing to fear, but need to improve discipline, be patient in the second forty and the chances would surely come.

It took the hosts a little time to warm fully to the their task, as they now benefited from both wind and slope . Another Hancox penalty hit the uprights on 49 minutes and the Okes upped the tempo almost immediately. Finally good phase play and ball retention saw Okes back on the offensive. They battered away and eventually crossed through the unstoppable Jonny King,who blasted over from short range for a score converted by skipper Fogerty. Now 12-10 ahead, Okes tails were up and their interplay was becoming increasingly threatening. Approaching the end of third quarter, more effective use of the boot saw Okes camped in the bottom left corner. The ball was given to the backs close in, and a sweet decoy move in midfield saw the prolific Leon Horn come off his wing to scoot straight through the middle untouched and over between the uprights. A seventh try for the young winger in an increasingly promising debut campaign. Fogerty added the two and at 17-12 the match seemed to have turned in the Okes favour.

Things are never that simple though, and to the visitors credit they responded. A close range lineout ending with a drive at the rear that the Okes were unable to repel. The conversion making it 17-19 into the last quarter of a now enthralling contest. Okes needed to reply quickly and they did just that. The forwards were now making inroads. The sight of a charging Pat Nash, Jonny King and the returning Karl Pearce boosting the home crowds hopes. Dan Fogerty then weaved a typical piece of midfield magic, his clean break was followed by a perfectly slipped sibling pass to brother Tom, who crossed to the delight of the sizable crowd. This time the extras failed, so the lead was still only three points entering the last ten minutes.

Okes nerves increased as the visitors came again. On the back foot, the home defence overstepped and a penalty bang in front was the result. It was inevitably landed and two points looked to have slipped form the Okes grasp. The young maroon and ambers are learning fast though and they gave it everything as the time ticked away in search of a winner. They applied pressure in the bottom left corner once more and the visitors defence was creaking. They were forced to transgress and the Okes had a tricky decision. It was last play time and the kick was difficult, the award being on the five meter line, just in from the left touch. Cometh the hour...up stepped skipper Fogerty, taking on the responsibility fully he elected for posts. Many of the crowd were unable to look on as he strode back, stepped up... and Landed it! A superb pressure kick to seal a deserved and overdue victory. The final whistle went and breaths were caught before the celebrations began in earnest.

A great afternoons entertainment and one that hopefully see the Okes turn a corner and start to reap deserved rewards for all their hard work and effort. Next run out for the lads is in a fortnights time, a trip to take on the Fisherman of Brixham, KO 2.30 PM...:Come On You Okes!'