Okes hosts have invested heavily and deservedly secured promotion to level four after a fine season. However, Okes arrived determined to spoil their promotion celebration party and to accumulate priceless points to keep them above the relegation places. Both objectives were fully achieved as the Maroon and Ambers, brimming with confidence after their fine recent run of form, attacked and defended with great commitment, determination and skill throughout.

Donning their away strip. the Okes kicked off down Camborne hill and immediately took their hosts by surprise with their willingness to play with width from all areas. Kicks for posts were declined throughout as Okes sought vital bonus points. A bright early start was soon rewarded with Okes first five pointer of an entertaining first forty. The home crowd of over 700 were still making their way from the bar when Okes punted a pen to touch, before making significant inroads around the fringes. Eventually the ball was shipped right through the backline and full back Kieran Lee, who cut great lines all afternoon, entered in midfield. A nicely delayed pass by Oke's number fifteen gave Leon Horn, again stationed in the centre this week, a stroll over from five yards. Skipper Dan Fogerty added the extra two and Okes were literally off and running.

Fluidity abounded in the Okes first quarter showing. The backline probing and creating openings with increasing regularity. It was no real surprise then when the visitors stuck again to extend their advantage. The Horn brothers were typically creating havoc in the midfield, the deadly duo playing their part as an overlap was created up the Okes right flank. Kieran Lee again strode through a gap from full back and drew the last man before feeding winger Adam Stevens. The Okes youngster had a clear run in out wide, to take the visiting advantage to 12 points after Fogerty's conversion flew across the face of the uprights.

The home side and support were visibly shell shocked by Okes quickfire start. The Cornishmen are champions for a reason though and began to demonstrate the pace out wide and counter attacking threat that has served them so well this campaign. Midway through the first half, one mistake from the Okes allowed the hosts a sniff and they capitalised with a try to reduce the arrears. The home ten, whose last minute penalty saw off Okes in these sides earlier encounter, had a rare off day with the boot and failed to make it the full seven points. Okes continued to create openings out wide as both sides looked to utilise the firm, dry conditions. However sloppy last passes saw a couple of clear overlaps regrettably squandered. Things were pretty even now, but the hosts looked threatening whenever Okes' kick and chase game was off point. One such occurrence just before the interval saw the hosts creep ever closer. Once more their ability to step and counter out wide created the hosts second score which again went unconverted. The remainder of the half was scoreless and as both sides marched off for the interval, it was probably the hosts, only two points in arrears that were slight favourites with the slope in their favour during the second period.

Okes emerged reinvigorated and started the third quarter in determined fashion. Their discipline much improved this week, they accumulated pressure in the hosts half and nearly struck, but for a couple of wayward passes when in threatening positions. Continued pressure then gleaned a five metre set scrum after a home knock on. Scrums had been pretty even up to now, but the Okes found a surge and as the scrum went forward it wheeled right. The home side then infringed to prevent a pushover and the referee had no hesitation in running between the posts to signal a penalty try. Just the start to the half that the Okes had wanted. The lead now at 19-10 they were still taking the game to their hosts.

Things then got even better for the Okes as they continued to look lively whenever in possession. The visitors stunned their hosts with a quickfire fourth, bonus point yielding try towards the end of the third quarter. Once again it was Leon Horn crossing the whitewash, bagging his brace after searing through a gap out wide. He outpaced the cover to cross for his eighth try of the season to further stretch Okes advantage and increase home frustrations. Fogerty was again consummate off the tee and the visitors had a sixteen point lead.

Okes have seen sizeable last quarter leads eroded on more than one occasion this campaign,so no poultry was yet being counted in the visiting ranks. However the Oke defence is now a much improved unit, and it was to be tested fully as the home side threw everything at them as they attempted to claw their way back into the contest. Okes were forced to defend their line for extended periods. The home crowd bayed for blood and the penalty count grew. Captain Fogerty then took one for the team when he saw yellow, despite being nowhere near the adjudged infringement. Now down to 14, gaps began to appear out wide in the Okes defence and it was almost inevitable when Camborne crossed for their third try to increase the pressure on the depleted visitors. Still down to fourteen, Okes defended desperately. A try saving tackle from winger Ryan Lee and a superb turnover from Karl Pearce kept the margin at 11 points as time ticked away.

Barely three minutes remained when an Okes kick was regathered deep in the host's half. A deft offload and the slipping of two tackles created enough space for Camborne's left winger to squeeze in the bottom left corner. Again the conversion was wide, but the margin was now just six points and the match fully in the balance. The Okes, now back to a full contingent would not yield though, forcing a last gasp handling error they stayed solid at scrum time and joyfully booted the ball off to secure a memorable victory and one that assured level five rugby next season.

A fantastic effort by all involved, Okes have really turned their season around after a mid season extended losing run. Players and confidence have returned and a real team spirit is developing nicely. This was a fully deserved victory at the home of the champions which brought forth justifiable survival celebrations. Okes young charges can now look forward to their last two matches of the season, looking to maintain their fine run of results. Next up is a visit from relegation-threatened Old Centralians, KO 2.30 . Okes will be looking for revenge after losing away earlier in the campaign. Why not come along and take in some Saturday afternoon excitement of the oval shaped variety.. 'Come On You Okes!'

Okehampton RFC

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