South West one (West)

Okehampton 26

St Ives 24

WHAT on paper looked a tricky fixture, turned out to be just that, as the Okes eventually ran out narrow winners but importantly came away with the full five points.

St Ives had already defeated the Okes in the reverse fixture, and had recently beat title rivals Launceston, so the Okes knew they had their hands full.

The visitors kicked off with the slope in their favour as well as a gusting wind, although the forecast rain had held off. The first ten minutes set the tone as both penalties and handling errors were on show, the Okes negating useful turnovers with unnecessary infringements.

The Hakes booted one such penalty into the bottom right corner after eight minutes, looking to utilise the larger size and experience of their front eight. The Okes’ defence did well to resist the initial catch and drive and subsequently the resultant five metre scrum also. However, they didn’t manage to escape the confines of their own five meter line and the pressure eventually told as the ball was moved right, where experienced former Redruth winger Vinnicombe forced his way over for the game’s opening score. The conversion was wide but the Okes had got off to another of their slow starts.

Cheered on by the large crowd the Okes began to impose themselves on the match. Centres Rhys Palmer and Bevon Armitage, both very influential all afternoon, made early inroads as the Okes looked threatening whenever width was applied.

The visitors then took their turn to accumulate infringements, and as Okes ramped up the intensity in the St Ives 22 a visiting forward saw yellow after pestilent offences.

As the second quarter began Okes were guilty of overplaying at times and seeking a killer pass.

The hosts did gain a penalty opportunity on 22 minutes though, but Kieran Lee was off target with his effort and the five point deficit remained.

The Okes continued to knock at the Hakes door and just before their half hour mark they finally got their reward. In the build up Dan Fogarty made a fine break but his wide pass was hacked on by Kieran Lee and the Okes regained possession in the visitors 22; after several phases Rob Dugard eventually ploughed over from his favoured distance of two yards to tie the scores. Lee missed the conversion but was soon making amends with a fine penalty kick chase to force another attacking Okes’ lineout. The visitors held firm as the Okes regrouped.

After more lively linking from the home backs, the forwards again took over as play encroached on the St Ives tryline on 37 minutes. Once more Dugard, the arch poacher reached out and crashed over for the second try. Richie Friend successfully landed the extra two and the hosts had a vital first half lead.

As the second half began the Hakes kept ball effectively and starved the Okes of possession.

The Okes lost Rob Dugard to the bin and were forced onto the back foot as the visitors entered the Okes’ 22. On 49 minutes the visitors were back on the scoreboard, as the depleted Okes could only temporarily halt an attacking catch and drive before the ball was slipped to Joe Parma, who slid over in the top left corner. The extras fell short but at 12-10 the visitors were right back in this hard fought contest.

St Ives began to take a grip on the half. More possession for the visitors saw yet another attacking lineout threat. Eventually lock Prisk forced his way over as the visitors regained the lead with a five point margin when Magee added the conversion. Now into the fourth quarter it was the Okes’ backs that finally got the hosts back on terms. Always threatening when in possession , they finally kept the ball alive out wide and it was the power and pace of Rhys Palmer that caused the initial damage. The young centre was eventfully brought down but offloaded sweetly in the tackle to winger Ryan Lee on his inside; the lively young flier finished in style, as he dashed over to the left of the uprights to reignite the crowd and his teammates simultaneously. Richie Friend added the extra two and the hosts had their noses back in front in this end to end, see-saw encounter.

Entering the last ten minutes and nerves were becoming increasingly frayed. Play swung from one 22 to the other as both sides sought a vital fourth try.

A penalty in the 76th minute was awarded to the hosts and the kicked to the corner. After a successful line out scrum half Richie Friend broke deep into the Hakes’ red zone. Several pick and goes were rebuffed before eventually, loose head prop Pat Nash was able to burrow over for the Oke’s bonus point try, much to the delight of the home faithful. Friend obliged with the conversion and with only a couple of minutes left, and a two score advantage, the Okes looked nailed on victors.

However, a combination of slack defending and determination in attack from the visitors saw them set up a nail biting finale. An Okes’ offence, followed by a strong run by the St Ives’ centre, saw the arrears reduced to a mere two points as the visitors snatched their own bonus point try in the dying throes.

There was sill time for the Cornishmen to regain the ball from the restart, but despite a couple of slightly hairy moments the Okes finally gained scrummage ball and were able to kick to touch to seal the win.

Nowhere near their best, the Maroon and Ambers had done enough to maintain their unbeaten home record and take home the full five points on offer. The visitors demonstrated their experience and came away with two deserved bonus points.

With only five matches remaining the Okes look to maintain their advantage at the top of the table.