South West premier

OKEHAMPTON RFC 14

MAIDENHEAD 12

THE Okes maintained their unbeaten home record but maroon and amber nerves were frayed after this tense encounter.

After last week’s disappointing showing against Launceston, Okes needed a strong performance back on home turf against first time visitors Maidenhead.

The two-day deluge beforehand would have forced a postponement in previous times, however the Okes surface is now excellent whatever the weather.

Both sides are known for their expansive tendencies; it was strange therefore that only 26 points were forthcoming all afternoon. The visitors received the kick off playing down the slope. Initial stages saw Maidenhead threaten but the Okes resisted and made their way upfield through various penalty awards. Okehampton had a mixed day with the boot from hand. Several different members of the Oke backline were called upon in the absence of usual kicker Richie Friend, and on this occasion the ball went dead and the chance was gone.

The Okes were soon back on the attack though, and as the match approached the quarter hour mark winger Brandon Horn made the first of many forays, bouncing off attempted tackles taking play into the opposition 22. The Okes piled on the pressure through a series of pick and goes but failed to cross the whitewash, Maidenhead eventually relieving the pressure and countering downfield.

In the 16th minute the visitors took the lead. From an initial set scrum they spread the ball left, an overlap was created and the move was finished by prolific left winger Prince. The conversion was pushed across the face of the posts and the Okes trailed by five points.

The remainder of the half belonged to the home side however. Setting their own backs free whenever possible, they looked threatening on several occasions only to be denied by a forward pass, foot in touch or resolute Maids defence. With five minutes of the half remaining, Okes finally made a breakthrough. From a penalty Okes scrum half Richard Bolt took a quick tap and go. He found half back partner Dan Fogerty, who slid through an astute grubber towards clubhouse corner; Okes’ right winger Ryan Lee set off in swift pursuit and won the race to the touchdown in front of the jubilant home support. His brother Kieran slotted the touchline conversion magnificently to yield the full seven points.

In the second half and now backed by the slope, the Okes would have perhaps expected to be in the ascendancy however, for long periods, Maidenhead held sway. Their larger pack initially played keep ball without ever really threatening to make serious inroads. With penalty awards now weighted in the visitors’ favour, the hosts were struggling to escape the confines of their own half.

In the last ten minutes the Okes were still hanging onto their narrow lead. A kick deep into the Okes’ 22 was charged down by the visitors, and when the ball bounced kindly into the Oke’s goal area it was Prince who was again on hand to pounce and give the visitors the lead with just over five minutes remaining. Keohane added the simple extras.

The Okes re-entered Maidenhead’s territory as they strove for the score that would restore their lead. The home side showed renewed vigour and intent as they probed away. Brandon Horn was then set free down the Okes’ left with three minutes remaining; he chipped the last defender but could not quite win the foot race. The Okes were now camped on Maids’ five-metre line though as they threw everything at the visitors in search of a match-winning score. The hosts forced scrums and penalties as they continued to press. Then replacement flanker Ollie Francis took a pass on a sweet, short line and dived over to send the home fans delirious. The score were still level though and Dan Fogerty was the man who strode forward to take the pressure-laden conversion. He calmly slotted it and the Okes had the lead as the match ticked into injury time. Home nerves were shredded when Maidenhead secured the ball and attempted a last minute drop goal but to the relief of the home fans it drifted wide and the Okes had sealed another valuable home victory at the death.

Okes again made hard work of it at times, but their effort and commitment could not be faulted. Improved away results are the next target for the Okes.