1sts- Finish season with another defeat..
Okes ended a difficult season against third placed Chew and despite their efforts were unable to secure a home win.
The young Okes side, against beset by absentees put up a decent show but were unable to give retiring scrum half and player coach Richard Bolt a winning send off. Bolty has led by example since his return to the Maroon and Amber and he put in a typically determined effort in this losing cause.
Chew started strongly down the slope, the storm mostly in their favour. Two early tries set the tone before Tom McGrattan ploughed over for the hosts to reduce the arrears. The conversion landed by Luke Simmons. For once it wasn't the Okes who had the majority in the bin this week,as the visitors lost three at various stages. Two more converted tries by the visitors stretched their lead, before the ubiquitous Leon Horn pilfered a typical poachers try after various hacks ahead. Again Simmons added the extras and the Okes turned around 28-14 in arrears.
The conditions were in Okes favour in the second half, but as on many occasions this campaign they failed to take advantage. Their only score of a disappointing second forty coming once again through Leon Horn. Scoring put wide prevented another conversion though and the Okes were unable to press on and gain a fourth bonus point try. Chew continued to score at regular intervals as their superior size, power and experience took its toll.
As the game, and the first's season came to its end, Okes find themselves second from bottom of the final table. Only gaining five wins this campaign, the highlights of which were undoubtedly two spirited victories over Launceston which showed what could be achieved. Barring serious RFU restructuring the young Okes will find themselves at level six next season. Harsh lessons hopefully have been learned, and those in charge need to start planning now for the new campaign which will be upon us sooner than we think. Okes youngsters will have learned plenty from this tough campaign and can now recharge their batteries and hopefully come back refreshed and rejuvenated for the challenges ahead.
'Come On You Okes!'
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