West Counties West Okehampton 26 Truro 23 THE Okes' first home match of the season saw a match that went to the wire, with plenty of attacking intent and two sides that both contributed fully to a fine advert for Western Counties west rugby. Truro kicked off down the slope into a slight headwind. Their hefty pack provided early ball that was spread wide left, and a try seemed inevitable. However, a superb cover tackle from Rob Fishleigh at full back saved a certain score. The Okes slowly gained a foothold and scored first. A Truro up and under bounced invitingly around the ten yard line and home centre Luke Honeychurch, who had a fine match, gathered it and steamed in under the uprights. Fly half Luke Simmons kicked the extra two points. Truro responded, as centre Jake Champion missed a penalty chance after ten minutes and soon the visitors took advantage of some poor Oke discipline, as they gave away an extra ten yards for back chat at a penalty award. A kick to the corner was followed by an effective catch and drive which brought the visitors' first try after 15 minutes. Champion failed with the conversion, but ten minutes later had slotted a penalty from dead ahead to give the Cornish side the lead at 8-7 after 25 minutes. Truro were on top in the set scrum but gradually Oke began to stretch the visitor's defence. Luke Simmons regained the lead for the home side, as he potted a penalty after Truro breached the offside line once too often after 29 minutes. Oke will be disappointed that they failed to consolidate after regaining the lead though, as they let the visitors in for their second try almost immediately from the restart. Powerful left wing Iuen Boon crossed in the bottom left corner and Champion converted to make it 15-10. Okehampton player coach Gareth Evans moved between the front and back rows and became increasingly influential. Oke were soon back in Truro's 22 as they looked to regain the lead before the break. Left wing Rory Honeychurch, who produced several imposing hits both in attack and defence, popped up in the stand-off position and coolly slotted a rare drop goal. The two point deficit became a one point advantage by the interval though, as Luke Simmons landed a penalty goal to put the Okes 16-15 up. The first ten minutes of the second half saw defences on top as both sides continued to give it their all. A missed touch by Oke allowed the visitors to set up an attacking position that brought their third try. Full back Carl Ranscombe hit the line at pace and went through a missed tackle to score wide left — the conversion was missed. Oke's heart and commitment was on show, as the home side attacked from deep and got in behind the Truro defence down the right flank. The ball was recycled to centre Luke Honeychurch who stepped off his left foot and straightened beautifully to scythe through the visiting midfield, and glide in between the posts for a seven pointer. The score was 23-20 with 20 minutes remaining. However, it only stayed that way for five minutes as Champion once more added a penalty goal to level. In the last ten minutes both sides were striving for the win. The Okes were awarded a penalty on half way and stand-off Simmons' fine effort struck an upright, but Oke were soon back in attack mode. Full back Rob Fishleigh chasing his own kick ahead was tackled ten metres out, but popped a pass inside to Luke Honeychurch, who was unable to hold it with the line at his mercy. With a couple of minutes left, the Okes roused themselves for another attacking sortie. A penalty was given right in front of the posts from which Simmons gave the home side the lead. Oke regathered possession from the restart, and Gareth Evans led the side through an impressive passage of ball retention, to run down the clock before time was up and the ball was booted into touch. This was a superb performance by the Okes.