This, the last competitive game of Oke coach Brett Luxton’s tenure, was never a classic. Two sides missing many regulars and terrible weather conditions saw to that. However it was a real nail biter as Oke grasped a hard earned victory right at the death.

The home side began with the slope and a powerful breeze at their backs. Fly half Billy Searle, who again showed fine game management from out half, slotted a penalty to give the home side the lead after barely a minute. Visitors Penryn were a bulky outfit though, and soon their pick and go forward game had established several attacking positions in the home twenty two. Both sides were struggling with the wild and woolly conditions, as kicks were going out on the full and passes to the ground.

Seventeen minutes had elapsed when Penryn made their next venture deep into Oke territory, and they gained a close range scrum. Oke wheeled the set piece, but fell for a dummy from visiting number eight Phil Hinchley who turned and strode in unopposed. Fly half Rob Banks potted the simple extras to lead 7-3. Okehampton knew they needed a lead after having the conditions with them first up, and were soon back into the Penryn twenty two with the forwards gaining an attacking scrum after twenty five minutes. Once more it wheeled, but this time it was the home side who were the more alert as scrum half Joey Bruce broke blind and fed left winger Tom Mcgrattan. Making a welcome return to the maroon and amber, the wide man scooted in gleefully to regain the lead. Searle converted from directly in front as Oke looked to forge a significant first forty advantage.

The wind continued to blow strongly downfield, and just a few minutes later Searle used it brilliantly to extend the home lead with a monster penalty from halfway. Approaching half time Oke naively gave away the advantage with a series of bad decisions and indiscretions. Home flanker Paul Lawrence saw yellow, and when Penryn kicked the resulting penalty into touch near the home line the hosts were in trouble. Sure enough they failed to repel the attacking lineout drive, and visiting forward Ethan Patterson burrowed over. Banks drilled a low conversion, and suddenly Oke were behind as the half time whistle and rain deluge arrived simultaneously.

Playing with all the elements against them, Oke realised it would take a tremendous effort to gain a win from this position. They showed intent in the early exchanges though, and Searle soon regained the lead for the hosts with another penalty goal. Penryn regrouped, and Oke had to defend stoutly as the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of territory during the third quarter. The visitors then regained the lead with another penalty from their stand off to make it 17-16, but the aptly monikered Rob Banks was guilty of a criminal miss shortly afterwards from virtually in front of the posts.

As the game entered its final period, Oke were being continually frustrated by strange officiating, and when fly half Searle saw yellow with only minutes on the clock their hopes seemed to have evaporated. However the Okes bravely mustered one last attacking foray, and when Penryn were finally pinged for infringing too often at the breakdown, their chance arrived. Young centre Jordan Petherbridge had the thankless task of trying to win the match at the death, and he slotted it superbly to allow the team to give their revered coach the finale he so merited.

So another season over, a mixed bag for sure, and one that has had more downs than ups. However with the seconds gaining promotion and the Colts winning the County shield, the future looks bright. Coach Luxton will be sorely missed; the thanks and best wishes of all concerned within the club go with him. A new dawn arrives with new head coach, the much respected Gareth Evans, here’s to a successful 14-15 season for all who wear the maroon and amber.

Okehampton RFC

Tribute Western Counties West Fixtures

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Meet time

Competition

Team Sponsors