After a disappointing run of four consecutive defeats, it was imperative that Oke got back to winning ways with victory against a Devonport side struggling near the foot of the table. The vital win was duly achieved, although the game itself never reached any great heights, mainly due to a combination of bad weather and uncontested scrums.

In initially dry conditions, Oke played with the breeze but it was the hosts who started the brighter. They battered away during the opening exchanges but despite having the early lion’s share of possession and territory, only came away with a Matt Anstis penalty to show for their efforts. Oke were perhaps guilty of trying to play their rugby in the wrong areas of the pitch, although when they did resort to the boot, fly half Carl Poynton made significant yardage on each occasion.

Trailing three nil, Oke were again defending in their own twenty two when the one moment of class on show throughout the match, took place. From turnover ball, experienced flanker Harry Bushin, who had a fine all round game, fed full back Gareth Espin within his own twenty two. The elusive full back picked a weaving line through the initially fragmented home defence. Then when in open field he turned on the gas to outrun the scrambling cover to cross under the posts for a cracking score. At this point it was against the run of play, and with Poynton adding the simple extras it was 7-3 to the visitors.

This seemed to settle the away side and they took a stranglehold on the match during the next quarter. Fly half Poynton punished two of many numerous Devonport indiscretions at the breakdown with consecutive penalty goals to extend the Oke’s lead to ten points.

What happened next, apart from the Espin try, proved to be the game’s main talking point. Oke won a line out outside the home twenty two and produced a fine driving maul that eventually reached the home try line. Despite crossing the line a try was not awarded. However, from the resulting five metre scrum the Oke eight began to apply serious pressure. Time and again the home side’s scrummage folded under the strain. The referee awarded numerous penalties but no penalty try was forthcoming. It was then no surprise when the home front row started to incur injuries, and after their second row went off injured they applied for uncontested scrums, which much to the chagrin of the travelling players, coaches and fans; was granted.

The home side held out and Okehampton turned around 13-3 ahead. The uncontested scrums, along with the incoming bad weather, ruined the game as a spectacle in the second half. Oke were unable to capitalise on their increasing forward dominance and the conditions did not sit well with their efforts to spread the ball wide. Both sides made multiple substitutions and the match became a fractured, scrappy affair. Although the home side generated plenty of pressure as Oke failed to clear the ball downfield, they never actually created many clear cut openings.

Oke’s defensive work was impressive though, but the visitors will be slightly disappointed that they didn’t manage to register any more points in the second half which would have put the game to rest earlier. Overall though, the most important objective was achieved; that of two valuable points, away from home against a side lower in the table.

Okehampton now sit in a creditable position of fifth in the table with a visit from league leaders Kingsbridge to look forward to next Saturday. With nothing to lose, and with several injured first team regulars returning in the second team’s excellent league victory over their Barnstaple equivalents, things are definitely looking more promising for the weeks ahead.

Blowy and blustery at Bencoolen Meadow are not the usual ingredients for a try fest. The fact that the sides delivered a points aggregate nearing seventy points says more about their inability to defend adequately than anything else.

The match summed up Oke’s rollercoaster season so far in an eighty minute microcosm. At times with ball in hand they exploited space well and scored a handful of flowing tries. The downside was that they failed to realise you have to play as well without the ball as you do with it to win a game of rugby at this level.

Okes beginning was a mirror image of the opening minute of the Tavistock match as they took advantage of a knock on from the kick off, and worked the blind side to put away slippery winger Rob Fishleigh for the first of his hat trick of tries. The lead was short lived though, as for the first of many times during the match, Oke’s inability to defend a rolling maul proved their downfall when Bude ploughed over for their first, unconverted score. The end to end action continued apace as Oke were next to score when they regained their lead with a carbon copy try from the elusive Fishleigh.

Once more the visitors were unable to hold their lead for any significant time, as an identical rolling rumble from the Cornish hosts brought them level. There was still time before the interval for Oke to regain the initiative though, as from only their third venture into the home twenty two, fly half Carl Poynton kicked a simple penalty and the score was 13-10 at the break.

The second half, not for the first time this season, got off to the worst possible start for the Okes. Lax defensive work allowed the Bude left winger to cross for another unconverted effort and this was almost immediately followed by another from the home fly half who was allowed to waltz through untouched, under the posts, for a score that was converted to leave Oke trailing 22-13.

The tit for tat pattern of scoring continued unabated as Oke number eight Sam Turner found space on the short side and after a nice show of the ball, he stepped the full back to cross between the sticks for a try that Poynton converted to reduce the deficit to two points. Once more Oke failed to build on this score and as for much of the match they failed to put the ball into opposition territory to relive the pressure. This, and the regular gifting of penalties in their own half, didn’t help their cause. It seemed inevitable as the home backs again slipped through some slack defence for their sixth try of the afternoon to extend their lead to seven points.

Oke were still in this game though as it was obvious that they could create chances if they could win enough ball; but their lack of size and physicality in the forward encounters were preventing this. Also, the persistence with slowing down what ball they had by driving ponderously around the fringes was giving the Bude defence an easy ride. It was once more the Cornish side that struck next when their right winger barged over in the bottom right corner. As play entered the last quarter the hosts had pulled away to lead 34-20.

To their credit Okehampton never stopped trying to play their own game, and they scored the try of the match as good hands, support play, and incisive running from Gary Sizmur and Gareth Espin put fleet footed winger Fishleigh away for his third try which he finished superbly.

Nine points down and there was still hope; not for too long though as the rolling maul returned to haunt the Okes, and after the final Bude try was grounded it was 39- 25 with time running out. There was still enough time for replacement Brett Luxton to force his way over for a late score but ultimately Okes defending had cost them two points.

An entertaining game for the neutral but one that will have given the Oke coaches plenty of food for thought before the visit of high flying Camborne this Saturday. The Cornish side have been busy recruiting during the summer and the Okes will need to be at their best to return to winning ways.

This match was in complete contrast to last week’s flowing performance as Oke ground out another vital win, this time against experienced Western Counties campaigners Tiverton.

The weather conditions didn’t exactly bode well for a fast flowing game of the type this young side prefer. The strong downfield breeze was consistently punctuated by swirling rain showers, which meant Oke had to battle for a victory that keeps them in a very creditable third place in the table.

Oke played with the elements in the first half, and just like last week they got off to the perfect start. Within a minute of the kick off confusion abounded in the Tiverton twenty two, and a botched clearance attempt from their outside half came into the possession of scrum half Joey Bruce. He showed swift speed of thought to spot a gap and burst through it to cross under the posts for the opening score. Fly half Carl Poynton converted and Oke were 7-0 up within the first minute.

The score seemed to cause Oke to lose a bit of momentum as Tiverton swiftly replied with a well struck drop goal from their fly half Atkins. The East Devon visitors were to prove a wily side throughout the game as they made life difficult for Oke at the breakdown, whilst also marshalling Oke’s pacy back line effectively.

Oke managed to create some pressure in the bottom right corner and Tiverton were forced to concede a series of five metre scrums. Each time they managed to disrupt or infringe on Oke’s progress towards the line. Eventually the referee’s patience snapped as he gave a penalty try to the hosts which was once again converted by Poynton. Although 14-3 up Oke knew the elements required a more substantial interval lead. They were therefore grateful for the metronomic boot of Poynton that kept the scoreboard ticking over with two more penalties that left the half time scoreline at 20 points to 3.

Tiverton have already proved at Newquay earlier this season that they can come back from a large halftime deficit; they started the second period brightly and were rewarded with a penalty kick from full back Cockram. He was soon to add another to further reduce the margin and Oke were started to struggle to impose their game on the visitors who sensed a chance to get right back into the match.

Oke managed to create some territory and were once more grateful to fly half Poynton as he slotted another well struck penalty as the weather began to worsen. In a decent spell Oke’s pack were gaining ground and another penalty was awarded as the visitors continued to infringe. Once more Poynton was on target and the lead was stretched to 26-9. Perhaps thinking victory was assured Oke slipped into their shells and began to concede penalties of their own. One was missed, but minutes later the visitors decided to run a quick tap penalty and slack defending allowed a half break which led to a scoring pass to winger Barney Bell as he slid over in the left corner. The conversion struck an upright and at 12 points the lead was retrievable.

Full back Cockram added another penalty but that was as good as it got for the visitors. Oke kept their line intact for the rest of the last quarter but suffered a blow when flanker Cox was sent off in the dying minutes after an off the ball altercation.

In summary, a valuable win and a victory when not playing well is always a useful one. The match also saw the side say farewell to back row stalwart Ali Mason who donned the maroon and amber for the last time before setting off for Australia. He was rewarded with a well deserved ovation from the crowd as they recognised the fierce commitment and drive that he has brought to the side over his years in the first fifteen. He will be sorely missed.

Next week sees a tough away rip to fellow high flying promotees, Truro.

Nothing brings more rugby joy than seeing players come through the junior ranks at a club and fulfil their potential in the first fifteen. Yesterday at Sandy Park, in the latest episode of the West Devon derby saga, Oke fielded a side full of home grown youngsters and they produced a performance to leave their fans purring with pleasure.

Oke were beset by injuries and unavailabilities so fielded an even more youthful than usual side, as they looked to continue their recent winning run. They began with the elements of slope and breeze in their favour during the first half and produced a statement of their attacking intent within seconds. A knock on from the kick off allowed the visitors an attacking scrum centre field within the home twenty two. The ball was moved effectively to the right flank where left winger Rob Fishleigh marked his return to the side with a corner score within the first minute. This seemed to startle both sides and the frenetic pace continued without respite as Tavy centre Kaminski crossed by the posts almost immediately from the restart. He converted his own score and with only minutes on the clock the game was already 7-5 and the fans could see they were in for a very open game.

It was looking increasingly like the home side preferred to attack through their forwards whilst Oke leaned towards using the pace and exuberance of their three quarters. The crowd didn’t have too long to wait for the next score though as an Okehampton counter attack delivered a cross kick that Tavistock couldn’t gather cleanly and centre Luke Honeychurch popped up to gather the bouncing ball to cross beside the posts for a try converted by debutant fly half Carl Poynton for a 12-7 lead for the visitors.

The tit for tat scoring continued as Tavy centre Kaminski landed a successful penalty to reduce the arrears to two points and this match really looked at this point as if it could go either way.

Oke’s backs were looking dangerous every time they got the ball and with a willingness to attack from anywhere the Tavy defence could not afford any complacency. It was from one such adventurous foray that the next Oke score arrived. Once more slick handling and timing of the pass, combined with sharp lines hit at pace allowed Fishleigh another overlap on the right flank. He fed the ball back inside to the supporting Gareth Espin who sped over to the right of the posts for a try that the increasingly influential Poynton converted. This left the interval score at 19-10 to Okehampton who would be up the slope during the second half.

Part two started well for the visitors and man of the match Poynton was now demonstrating the full range of fly half decision making. He varied the game between accurate passing and astute tactical kicking which kept the home side’s defence guessing and forcing them to turn when required. A loose defensive kick created the next score as winger Fishleigh again fed full back Espin, who demonstrated his class by ghosting past the first defender before turning on the after burners and after a slick dummy he touched down for a lovely individual score. Poynton was again on target with the conversion and at 26-10 another two points were within reach.

The Tavy side were still in the hunt though, especially when they had an attacking lineout on the visitor’s five yard line. The ref awarded a penalty and home centre Doug Law showed quick thinking and strength as he crashed over beside the posts for a converted score that gave the home side real belief. Their joy was short lived though as Oke once more plundered the right flank to good effect. The ball was shipped blind via number eight Sam Turner, who turned in an impressive display, and from replacement scrum half  Richard Friend to the prolific Fishleigh who again rounded off the move in the corner. Poynton add the obligatory conversion.

The game moved towards it’s climax and with the visitors confidence growing they attacked from all areas and another clever cross field kick from Poynton bounced kindly into the gleeful hands of winger Fishleigh and he completed his hat trick. The conversion failed but the game was all but over. The final whistle followed soon after and Oke had produced some of their best rugby for many seasons. The confidence flowed throughout the side and the brand of rugby that these youngsters are producing under the expert tutelage of coach Brett Luxton is both easy on the eye and effective. Next week sees the visit of Tiverton and if this week’s game is anything to go by you'd be foolish to miss it.

Okehampton’s first home league match of the season saw them play host to Penryn, the side that pipped them to the Devon and Cornwall league title last season. After a favourable toss the Okes played up the slope at the beginning of a game that was to be incident packed yet an ultimately enjoyable one for the home support.

Penryn applied early pressure and Oke, as was to become a recurring theme, lost hooker Bruce Griffiths to injury almost immediately. The home side were being tested, particularly when trying to deal with the threat of the visitors’ experienced and talented no 8 and scrum half. Oke’s defence held firm though and they managed to break out and create a couple of half breaks that promised more than they ultimately delivered. Not for the first time this season, wayward passes to no-one in particular caused both promising passages to break down.

It was the visitors who struck first however, although their try owed more than a touch to good fortune. An optimistic kick ahead ran over the home dead ball line, but had unluckily touched someone in flight. This resulted in a five metre scrum for the visitors, and their powerful number eight James Mann took advantage to bullock through an attempted tackle for a score that scrum half Pascoe converted. It was harsh on the hosts who had looked much sharper already than in their first two league matches, their backs looked threatening and kicks ahead were causing panic in the Penryn rearguard.

It was from one such kick ahead that Okehampton notched their first score. A good follow up allowed the loose ball to be collected and with options both sides, the ball was shipped right for centre Luke Honeychurch to cross in the clubhouse corner. The conversion was unsuccessful but with the second half slope in their favour, a two point deficit was a comfortable one for the Okes.

With less than half an hour gone the home injury situation worsened, first centre Tom Powell was forced to leave the field, quickly followed by winger Matt Dennis with a shoulder injury. Oke reshuffled and were forced to put young second row Tom Mcgratton on the wing and with all replacements already used up, the home side were praying for no more misfortune.

With half time looming a failure to put the ball into touch cost the home side dear. The visitors strung together several phases and as the home cover ran out, the visitor’s second row cantered in to the bottom right hand corner for an unconverted try that made the half time situation much worse that it should’ve been.

12-5 down, Okes began the second period knowing that the game was well within their grasp. The pack had a good shove on in the set scrum and there was enough ball being supplied from lineout and breakdown situations to allow the backs to test out a Penryn defence that had looked decidedly shaky at times. The returning Lee Carey was now at centre and his ballast and forcefulness was creating space down the middle of the park but all Oke could manage was a penalty goal by fly half Gary Sizmur.

Oke were battering away and just as it looked like another attacking move had died a score came out of nowhere. Young scrum half Joey Bruce, having a lively afternoon, punctuated by some astute tactical kicking, gathered a lose ball on the retreat. With no one behind him he suddenly spotted a gap in the broken field and flew through it to everyone’s amazement and crossed under the posts for a vital, but deserved score for the hosts. Sizmur converted and Oke had the lead. Unfortunately in the build up to the try Oke replacement Luke Wonnacott was badly injured, and with no replacements remaining Oke were down to 14 men and reshuffling once more. This time back rower Ali Mason moved to centre and continued where he left off up front with an outstanding defensive performance which demonstrated exactly why he will be badly missed when he departs.

As the Oke 14 continued to threaten, the icing on the cake was added when fleet footed full back Gareth Espin took a ball again with seemingly nothing on but a kick ahead. He saw a gap and cut a swathe through the visitor’s defensive heart and delightfully wrong footed the full back before crossing for a superb individual try to wrap up a well earned victory. The conversion was put over and the Okes had gained a richly deserved two points. The levels of commitment, guile and endeavour were a large step forwards from the previous weeks and Oke now definately look capable of testing sides at this level.

Next week brings a local derby away at Tavistock.

After the disappointing setback last week, it was vital the Okes quickly got their first win in Western Counties, and this fixture against perennial strugglers Withycombe seemed to present the perfect opportunity.

On a beautiful, sunny afternoon at Raleigh Park the small home crowd saw Oke play up the slope and quickly get into their stride as backs and forwards linked well in the first quarter of the match. Oke had a plentiful supply of ball at this point and were creating gaps all over the pitch as the home side struggled to contain them.

All was looking good as Oke opened up a ten point lead. Firstly, fly half Gary Sizmur slotted over a well struck penalty goal. This was followed soon after by the game’s first try. Oke had been dominating possession and territory, and were battering away at the line when the ball was moved through the backs and full back Gareth Espin was brought into the attack on a neat switch move, he shot through the defence and dotted down behind the uprights. Sizmur successfully converted.

Oke were well on top, they were solid in the scrums and young Tom McGratton was providing lovely clean line out possession. The home side were, like Oke, looking to move the ball wide as both sides looked to attack through their respective back divisions. Oke created and spurned several clear try scoring opportunities during this period as wrong options and occasional white line fever got the better of them. However few supporters at this point realised the significance of this and it seemed Oke would go on to create many more chances.

Then, suddenly things started to go awry. The home side enjoyed a good spell and were joyous when their left winger was awarded a corner try as the home touch judge failed to notice a clear foot in touch. The conversion was missed, but at 10-5 it was game on and the hosts tails were up. Oke seemed to slip into a state of surprise and slumber as they saw out the rest of the half without managing to produce any of the good rugby they’d dished out in the first twenty minutes.

The second period got under way and with the slope advantage Oke looked to push on. However yet again they were being outfought by the hosts who took the game to them as Oke struggled to use the ball that they did win, and failed to pin back Withies by use of the slope.

The home side kicked a penalty goal to reduce the arrears and Oke were visibly twitchy. The inexperience at this level began to show and the game became a scrappy one between two sides struggling to put any phases of play together. Both teams made changes as injuries took their toll and the hosts were soon back in the ascendancy. It seemed almost predictable that they would be awarded another kickable opportunity before long as the referee increased the penalty count. Then sure enough the chance came; and the Withy stand off took it with glee as he put the home side into a lead that in the opening quarter would have seemed impossible. It was time for Oke to awake from their slumbers.

Okehampton started to improve ever so slightly and did manage to get into their opponent’s twenty two with less than ten minutes remaining. A penalty finally came and Fly half Sizmur showed plenty of mettle to slot it through the uprights. Oke then tried to hand back the advantage as yet more sloppy tackling gave the hosts a couple of chances. However a foot in touch and some final, improved defensive resistance saw the visitors home.

So in all, a must win game that ultimately brought the most important thing- two points. However, yet again Oke failed to build on a good start and they know they can, and must, play much better than this to compete at this level. The opposition over the coming weeks will bring much sterner tests than this one and Oke have to step up their level in order to gain more much need league points.

This coming Saturday the firsts have their first home league match of the season against fellow promoted side Penryn. Please come along and add your support whilst enjoying the Okes’ 125th anniversary celebrations.

After a promising pre season, comprising of a defeat against Sidmouth and victory over Crediton alongside good attendance rates at training, Oke travelled for their first match of the season with high hopes. They ended the afternoon defeated and will have immediately realised that this season will be a step up in quality from the last.

The opener in Western Counties provided a trip into the unknown with a visit to Somerset side North Petherton, another side debuting on the back of a league promotion. The young Okehampton side played up the slight incline and against a mild breeze in the first period. The opening exchanges were fairly even as both sides began cautiously, although it soon became apparent that the two teams were both performing much better in attack than defence. The home side used their size and weight advantage to good early effect but the visitors defence just about held firm and their lively backs looked promising on the counter attack. After a spell of home pressure it was the visitor’s backs that made the first telling inroads. The ball was moved swiftly between forwards and backs and a half break from hooker Bruce Griffiths found returning winger Matt Dennis in fine support and he ploughed over to the left of the uprights for an excellent opening score.

A great start for the Okes and their travelling fans looked on in delight as it appeared this opening encounter was there for the taking. However, as is often the case when you progress to a higher level, mistakes that previously would go unpunished now result in gifting more talented opposition easy points.

The next ten minutes perfectly demonstrated this as Oke made three mistakes and were made to pay heavily each time. Firstly the home side began to take advantage of Oke’s failure to knock them backwards in the tackle area. They started to offload in contact and when a one on one tackle was missed the home side’s second row crossed for an equalising score. Unlike Oke they successfully converted the score. Then immediately from the kick off Okehampton fell off another straight on tackle and after several attacking phases the hosts created space for another of their front five to cross beside the posts. The easy conversion was put over and suddenly the whole complexion of the game had changed. The home side’s tails were up and Oke immediately made another error to provide another attacking platform for them to utilise. Men in front of the kick off meant a scrum on halfway and the North Petherton backs used the ball impressively to put the left winger in on the short side for a score that stretched their lead to 21-10 with barely a quarter of the match gone.

Those ten minutes of madness aside there had been many positives for Okehampton, although most of those were in attack where they created scoring chances but failed to convert any more of them. The line out was evenly contested and the set scrum, despite being under a lot of pressure, had its moments.

The interval arrived and with the slope advantage Oke still had chance to claw their way back with an early score; and that was exactly what they got. Peter Herrod- Taylor, who provided an impressive presence in midfield all afternoon, made a half break in his own twenty two. Matt Dennis carried the ball forward on the overlap and fed inside to full back Gareth Espin who hacked on and grounded for a swift, converted, counter attack score that put the game back within reach.

Unfortunately Oke had not learned their lessons from earlier, and instead of clearing the resulting kick off they attempted to run from deep and turned the ball over. Another series of punishing drives around the fringes finally took its toll as the home forwards crossed for another converted score to put the game effectively out of reach. Both sides made changes and the game became more fragmented, and Oke’s attempt to put pace on the ball was countered by the home side’s tactic of slowing things down whenever possible. There was still time for one final try as more driving and support play created the last score which although unconverted, gave a slightly flattering look for the home side.

It may only be the first game of a long season, but Oke’s aim is to consolidate and remain on this rung of the rugby hierarchical ladder. In order to do that they need to learn from this defeat and develop a game plan that will allow the side to use its own considerable talents whilst still being able to negate the oppositions’ inevitable size advantage.

Next week sees the Firsts travel for an away league encounter with Exmouth based side Withycombe, KO 3PM