South West one

Okehampton 19

THE Okes failed to build on a solid first half as the hosts secured victory with three second half tries.

It has been tricky for the Okes since Christmas, tough away fixtures at three of the league’s top four sides and just one home victory after three weather affected postponements. There were still lots of positives to be taken from this defeat though, and with a run of five home ties in the eight league matches remaining, the Maroon and Ambers will soon be looking to start climbing the league table once more. 

Conditions in the Forest of Dean were unlike anything the Okes had seen for some time. Sunshine overhead and a firm surface underfoot made conditions ripe for a running open game, and that’s exactly what the supporters wttnessed.

To both side’s credit they played fast attacking rugby throughout  this high tempo encounter. The Okes had a lively first couple of minutes as they kicked off with the benefit of a slight breeze on a pitch that slopes significantly from top touchline to bottom.

Newent then took their turn to attack as the frenetic opening continued. On seven minutes the visitors found themselves defending a Newent scrum on their own 22-yard line, the hosts moved the ball to centre field where their number ten made a half break and offloaded to his rangy outside centre, who crossed beside the uprights. The conversion was added.

Okehampton were soon demonstrating their own attacking prowess in response, as good ball retention and width on the ball brought a half chance that was lost as the Okes conceded a penalty on  the host’s 22. The end to end nature of the opening quarter continued, and the home side were soon scything through in midfield once more and a try looked the likely outcome until a typically pugnacious turnover from scrum half Richie Friend brought a relieving penalty for the visitors. The tit-for-tat attacks then saw Okes’ winger Kieran Lee hack ahead, only to be denied a score as he was adjudged to have knocked on as he strove for the line. 

The Okes were visibly growing in confidence and as the 20 minute mark approached the visitors were awarded a penalty five metres out and they opted for a scrummage. They looked set for a pushover try until the hosts infringed once more, no surprises as the Okes then opted for another set scrum. This time the scrum wheeled right slightly so number eight Martin Harrison-Browne picked up and drove into the ten channel. The Okes’ player coach , influential in attack throughout the first forty, slipped an inside pass to Richie Friend who skipped over  to level the scores after adding the conversion himself.

Okehampton onceded a penalty directly from the restart and were grateful for a knock on and decent clearing kicks from Luke Simmons and Gareth Espin during a testing five minute spell.

The visitors then took play back into the Newent half as once again they demonstrated effective phases and the ability to stretch play to both touchlines. Fly half Dan Foggarty pulled the strings masterfully on two occasions and eventually the space was created to allow centre Luke Simmons to dive over in the bottom right corner as the Okes enjoyed their best spell of the match. Richie Friend added a superb touchline conversion and the Okes led 14-7 nearing the half hour mark.

Unfortunately for them this was the last time the Okes would be ahead. A sloppy knock on halted the Oke s progress and they were soon on the defensive themselves. A loose kick allowed the Newent right winger to counter, and only a brave last gasp corner tackle from Okes’ fly half Foggarty stopped a certain five pointer.

It was only a temporary reprieve as the home side struck just minutes later. Once again the hosts used an offload in midfield, this time allowing the home second rower to cross for a converted score to tie things up as the interval approached. Things nearly got much worse as another home break soon caused havoc. Oke full back Gareth Espin was then both hero and villain as he prevented a try with a fine turnover, only to then be yellow carded and the penalty reversed as he retaliated to one of many off the ball niggles. Home fly half Webb opted for posts, only to snatch his kick left to leave the 14 men Okes heading into the interval all square.

Visiting hopes were high on resumption, despite their man disadvantage, as the Okes had shown plenty of first half threat. However the Okes struggled to regain their rhythm in the second forty and spent long periods battening down the defensive hatches.

Personnel changes were made as the Okes gave a first team debut to promising young prop Joe Mawle off the bench. An increasing penalty count did not help the Okes’ cause, and the pressure eventually proved too much after 50 minutes. The Okes scrum, now minus tighthead cornerstone Ian Langbridge, came under pressure at a five-metre scrum, and despite what seemed a knock on at the base, the hosts scored their third try of the afternoon. It was a fair reflection of the host’s superiority in the second half however, as the Okes struggled to glean enough possession to test the home defence as they had in the first period.

After 55 minutes Newent struck again to seal the four try bonus point. The home side took  a quick tap and go, and after some desperate scrambling from the visitors, they threw a wide pass which bounced kindly into the arms of the home left winger who ran in unopposed; the conversion was good to make it 26-14 to Newent. 

Entering the last quarter both sides were reduced to fourteen as Okes’ flanker Dean Abrams and his opposite number were sent to the bin after a fracas.

Penalties continued to punish the Okes and the match was eventually put out of reach as home number 13 Mansfield cut another fine angle to race through for the hosts fifth try. Although unconverted the Okes now trailed 31-14 as the match entered the last ten minutes. The game then went slightly flat with the result assured but the Okes did manage a final flourish. Newent had possession near the Okes twenty two as time ticked away, but Oke’s left winger Ryan Lee sniffed out an interception and raced away to earn the Oke’s third try. The young flier tried, unsuccessfully, to drop kick the conversion from bang in front as the Okes hoped there was enough time for the game to restart. However the ref blew for time and any hopes of a losing bonus point were gone.

No complaints with the result, however the Okes will know that a better second half  performance and the benefit of some decisions going their way would have brought the bonus point that their significant efforts merited.Okehampton RFC first team v Newent: 1. Daniel Quinn2. Johnny King3. Ian Langbridge4. Neil Perrott5. Karl Pearce6. Dean Abrams7. Tom McGrattan8. Martin Harrison-Browne9. Richie Friend 10. Dan Foggarty11. Ryan Lee 12. Luke Simmons 13. Rhys Palmer14. Kieran Lee15. Gareth Espin18. Joe Mawle20. Brandon Horn21. Dan Squire