Western Counties West Okehampton 19 Penryn 17 ONLY a win for Okehampton would have been the rightful way to say farewell to their coach Brett Luxton, who was in charge of his last competitive game at the club. It was not a classic but the home side's earned the win to send Brett off with a victory. Both sides missed many regulars and there were terrible weather conditions but it turned out to be a 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 showed fine game management and slotted home a penalty to give Oke 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 22. 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 Okes' 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 22 with the forwards gaining an attacking scrum after 25 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 who 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 a few minutes later Searle used it superbly to extend the home lead with a monster penalty from halfway. Approaching half time the Okes 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 the Okes showed intent in the early exchanges. Searle regained the lead for the hosts with another penalty goal. Penryn regrouped and the Okes 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 16-17. Rob Banks missed a penalty shortly afterwards from virtually in front of the posts. In the final period the Okes were not helped when fly half Searle saw yellow with only minutes to go. 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. 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. It has been a mixed bag of a season for the Okes 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 Brett 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, in charge. THERE are two big events to come at Okehampton RFC in May. On Saturday, May 10 club president Rob Ewen will host his second President's Day with a festival of rugby. The Okehampton Colts are set to play a Devon U17s team, then the Okehampton U12s will play Redruth RFC U12s team. Finally there is the big game between an Okehampton first XV and the President's XV which will feature players from around the county and the Royal Marines. There will be a buffet dinner in the evening with tickets at £30 per head which also covers the entrance to the ground for the matches. Ground entrance for the three games will be £7 and £5 for senior citizens and U18s while U16s are free. Call Dave Potter on 07513006180 to reserve a dinner place. Funds raised will be split between the club and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust. Later in the month the club is holding its presentation night dinner and dance. This will be a black tie event with tickets at £12.50 each, available from Dave Potter 01837 55060 or Ian Langbridge 07900198113.