South West one Okehampton 10

Matson first XV 13

THE OKES suffered a second consecutive threre point home defeat as visitors Matson pulled off a smash and grab.

Remarkably, this was the sixth time this season the Okes have lost by less than seven points. In days of yore the Okes players would’ve lapped up a mud-fest of a pitch such as was seen during Saturday’s second half. However, these days the young Okes prefer the going good to firm and the surface certainly did the hosts no favours. Okes outscored their visitors by two tries to one, but crucially failed to land one attempt at goal, in contrast with their visitors who did not miss one all afternoon.

Okehampton were hit by the late withdrawal of Simon Cox and this resulted in the Okes having no front row replacement but it is to their credit that the Okes had scrum dominance throughout.

The home side started up the hill first half in front of a decent, sponsor’s day boosted, home crowd. The pitch held up reasonably well in the early exchanges despite the early showers. Matson monopolised initial possession as the match settled into a midfield arm wrestle.

After 11 minutes the Okes were penalised for a high tackle and the visiting full back popped the kick over for an early three-point lead.

Oke began to obtain some welcome  possession immediately afterwards and soon demonstrated their attacking potential. An initial half break found flanker Ollie Francis in good support and the young flanker showed good pace and a decent fend to cross just to the left of the posts. Unfortunately, home Skipper Tom Powell failed to land the routine conversion, but the Okes had a lead. Both sides were evenly matched and with their weather and pitch deteriorating it was set to be a tight affair.

It was not until the half hour mark that either side escaped from their defensive shackles. It was the Okes’ achilles heel, conceding unnecessary penalties, that was again to be their downfall.

They needlessly went offside at a midfield scrum, then after relieving pressure from the resultant penalty, they went off their feet on to a grounded player and immediately conceded another one. This time the kick went into the bottom left corner, and with the slope against them the Okes were unable to repel a catch and drive try that the visitors also converted to make it 10- 5 after 33 minutes.  

Oke had lacked enough periods of concerted possession at this point , and they were not able to test the visitors’ defence sufficiently. When on 37 minutes they finally got some ball, they shifted it wide right where full back Gareth Espin entered the line at pace. The home number 15 straightened the line and with a little help from his friends, showed good strength to power over in the Clubhouse Corner to tie the scores.

Okehampton would have been confident of a win with the slope in their favour during the second forty, however, they did not utilise conditions effectively and as the pitch worsened the game got bogged down in the mud.

The Okes did manage a period of early pressure near the Matson try line, but were twice turned over when a score seemed imminent. Then, on 51 minutes, a Matson forward saw yellow for a tip tackle near halfway. Surprisingly, given the terrible conditions underfoot, Okes opted to try a long range shot at goal when a kick to the corner appeared the sensible option. The kick fell way short and again Matson were again able to relieve the pressure, which their disciplined kicking game did well all afternoon.

Twenty minutes remained when Matson finally entered Oke’s half and after a narrow escape when Okes threw a shocking miss pass, Kevin Dennis saving the day with a try saving tackle, the visitors gained a close range scrum. Once again. an Oke surge saw the Matson pack retreat and as the visitors’ number eight attempted to pick up at the base, he knocked on, but was simultaneously tackled by Oke scrum half Richie Friend, who was subsequently penalised leaving an easy three point chance. Matson popped it over to take the lead.

With 15 minutes remaining Okes, having lost Espin and lock Neil Perrot to injury, failed to conjure any attacking threat in the Somme - like conditions. It was virtually impossible to tell the sides apart as time ticked away, to their credit Matson defended effectively and there was to be no further score. 

So another narrow loss as the Okes’ learning curve continues, luck must surely change soon for the boys, but there is no doubt that needless penalty concession is continually proving costly. Okes must make the opposition earn their scores as their defence has already proved its effectiveness when the tests out wide arrive.