South West one (West) Okehampton 13

Weston-super-Mare 36

OKEHAMPTON’S effort was immense, but on the day the seasiders took every chance that came their way. This was real A litmus test for the Okes, buoyant after last week’s fine home victory. However, at the end of the afternoon, they had to admit defeat to the stand out side in this league.

After the splendid Oke third team legends curtain raiser, the large crowd settled down hoping for an upset as the Okes began up the slope the stronger of the two sides. In what was to reflect the pattern of the game overall, the Okes had plenty of territory and possession in the opening period but were unable to crack the well organised visitors’ defence. In fact only three minutes in Oke pressure had forced a kickable penalty chance, but the effort from Kevin Dennis missed via the outside of the right upright.

Only five minutes later Weston had their first score, from the first real attack of the match. A high kick from their outstanding fly half Mackay was dropped and the visitors pounced. They recycled several times before creating enough space for hooker Hocking to power over for a converted score.

The hosts were still threatening though as they regularly moved the ball wide, and after 25 minutes they got their reward for all their attacking endeavors when Kevin Dennis potted a penalty from in front to make it 7-3 and still very much a contest. The Okes task got much harder shortly after though, as influential player coach Gareth Evans was forced to leave the field with a calf injury.

With ex Northampton premiership player Dickson pulling the strings in midfield the visitors slowly settled, and after 30 minutes strung together an impressive passage of play that resulted in a try for Sam Coles but the conversion was missed. Again it all stemmed from an Oke error, each one being punished with a score from the visitors in an unforgiving first 40 minutes.

The Okes continued to give their all and after 33 minutes they reduced the arrears with another well struck Dennis penalty after the visitors infringed at the tackle. The home side knew they could not afford any more mistakes if they were to stay in touch. Unfortunately another try was conceded three minutes later as the Okes failed to repel a catch and drive lineout after another costly penalty was conceded. Then Mackay made no mistake with a  penalty kick minutes later to stretch the visitors lead to 16 points.

The scoreline was harsh on the Okes and the lead did not reflect the overall balance of the game, but the opposition were virtually error free in the first half.

As Okes sought the interval and a chance to regroup, Weston pounced for their fourth bonus point try and one which effectively killed off the valiant Okes. An inside pass saw right winger Robbie Mackay break the last cover tackle to romp in under the uprights, namesake James converting.

At 29-6 at the break, Oke were now in damage limitation mode for the second period.

The second forty saw Oke continue to rack up field position, but the lineout failed to function fully at times and a few half chances went awry. Against the run of play the visitors scored their fifth try after the Okes had impressively repelled several attacks via an close range lineout. The pressure eventually told though allowing Hocking to cross for his brace, Mackay converting. The Oke defence continued to put in a sterling shift as the half wore on, with flanker Dean Abrams particularly destructive in the tackle.

The crowd urged the hosts on in the hope they would grab the try that all their commitment and effort merited.

Finally after 67 minutes the men in maroon and amber did get their hard earned five pointer instigated by the impressive Tom McGrattan, as the home number eight made significant yardage after a quick tap and go.

The Okes piled on the pressure from short range and eventually it was impressive prop Pat Nash who powered his way over the line. Kevin Dennis slotted an excellent conversion as the Okes got the rewards their fine second half performance deserved.

The Okes continued to try and play out from their own half in the remaining fifteen minutes, but again were unable to cash in against their well drilled opposition.

When  time ran out Okes were disappointed but not disheartened. A winning home run dating back to April 2015 was no longer intact, but the home side had performed with passion and emerged with credit with their heads held high. The opposition complemented the Okes’ play and agreed that the scoreline was not a fair refection of the actual overall contest.