After a enforced rest week last Saturday, Oke started brightly, but ultimately a good first ten minutes and a forceful last ten, were never enough to gain an away victory. Sidmouth, boosted by the return of several key playmakers, used the wide channels to good effect throughout, and combined with an assured performance form their number ten, meant they proved too strong on the day.

Playing up the slight slope, but with the benefit of a moderate breeze, Oke’s eight was soon applying pressure on the home side, particularly in the set piece. The greens number eight, part of a lively back row, infringed in the host’s twenty two and saw yellow after eight only minutes. Oke took a scrum five yards out and although it wheeled, Oke prop Nick Kitchen was alert and was rewarded with his maiden try in Oke colours. The conversion was missed but the visitors had an early 5-0 lead.

At this point things were looking promising, and there was certainly no sign of the imminent home try rush that was on the horizon. Oke began to kick badly from hand soon after though, an unfortunate trait that they demonstrated throughout, and one which only fed the hosts willing back three. From one such loose kick the hosts sourced their first try after 14 minutes. Strong running South African flanker Pansegrouw forcing his way over after several phases form the home side, fly half Retter converted for a lead that the hosts would never relinquish.

Okes kicking issues immediately gifted possession to their hosts as the kick off failed to travel the required ten. Even though the home pack was marched backwards from the resultant scrum, the Oke blindside defence found itself under resourced and left wing Locke took an inside pass to stroll over for the second try in a minute. Retter converted and the advantage was now 14-5 to the home side fifteen minutes in. Oke were now firmly on the back foot and a third try soon followed for the hosts. A simple backs move off a line out, combined with a slip in Oke’s midfield, allowed Dixon to cross in the left corner, and at 19-5 down the visitors had again left themselves a mountain to climb.

Retter extended the lead with another penalty before Oke grabbed a lifeline before the interval. Their dominant maul creating a score for flanker Will Heard, which was converted by winger Lewis Taylor. The interval arrived with Oke wondering how they were so far behind, and with a ten point deficit a good start to the second period would be crucial.

Oke began the second forty on the front foot from the kick off. Lewis Taylor regathered the restart, and shortly after was on the end of a good blind side move that looked to have brought the required score in the corner. However a flag was raised for foot in touch and the chance was gone. This proved to be a real crux moment in the match as Sidmouth regrouped after their escape, whilst Oke continued to be on the wrong end of many indecipherable decisions by the man in the middle. From one such random stoppage Retter extended the green’s advantage with a penalty from near halfway. Then shortly afterwards young Oke back rower Liam Sampson was sent to the bin for an infringement. Oke’s lineout, with Jack Barkwell stealing possession aplenty, was still providing enough ball for the visitors to launch several attacks. Far too often though the Oke attacker became isolated and a home turnover would ensue.

Sidmouth forced Oke onto the defensive again via Retter’s tactical boot, and under pressure in their own twenty two another crucial decision went against the Okes. A clearance kick was charged down, and Oke and Sidmouth both attempted to ground the ball. The referee gave the try after vocal encouragement from the home coaching team, despite being unsighted 30 yards away in the gathering gloom. Retter converted and although he missed another penalty chance soon after, the lead was now far too big to retrieve.

To Okes’ credit they responded with passion and had the best of the remainder of the match. Sidmouth suffered another yellow card as Oke srummaged the home side back towards their own line on several occasions before a penalty award against them relived the pressure. The visitors continued to spread the ball willingly until the death though, and good hands and a kick ahead from winger Rob Fishleigh, saw the ever willing Gary Sizmur chase down the bouncing ball for a well deserved consolation score.

The final whistle arrived, and at 32-17 Oke had come off a clear second best. Although hopefully this will prove a blip in a very promising recent run of form and performances form the Oke’s young side. The opportunity to begin another winning run starts at home on Saturday, as another mid table rival arrives in the shape of Cornish visitors Penryn. Please come along and support the boys in Maroon and Amber: KO 2.30PM.

Watch the match video here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3I5Nbb2by4