Things went from bad to worse for the struggling Okes as they slipped to another defeat at home. This time to a Weston outfit that had previously won only once all season.

Things were already worsening for the Okes league position after defeat to fellow strugglers Matson. Although forced into more changes, some experience returned as the hosts sought only their fifth victory all campaign. The home side began up the slope and at this point conditions were reasonable; dry and windy but with no sign of the rain to come. Things were already worsening for the Okes league position after defeat to fellow strugglers Matson. Although forced into more changes, some experience returned as the hosts sought only their fifth victory all campaign. The home side began up the slope and at this point conditions were reasonable, dry and windy but with no sign of the rain to come. The first half saw Okes with a marked improvement on last week. Creating plenty of opportunities, although perhaps being guilty at times of forcing the pass. The lineout was also much improved and provided ball to play with, a rarity in recent weeks. An early try up the short side from Rhys Palmer, this time standing in at stand off due to Luke Simmons absence, gave the home side a welcome lift. The conversion was missed but things looked promising.

The visitors responded with a close range try after an attacking lineout was thwarted to bring the scores level. Stop start was the theme for most of the rest of the half as the whistle dominated. Then with little time remaining in the half, Palmer, again Oke's leading attacking threat, set off from deep before linking with centre Brandon Horn. The Okes midfielder racing clear under the posts to give the home side a handy seven point advantage at the break after a conversion from the returning Kevin Dennis.

So all seemed well at the interval. The heavens then opened and the weather increasingly became a factor . However Okes failed to use the conditions in their favour. Frustrations grew as nothing seemed to come off. A boot downfield was oft required but was not forthcoming. Okes game management, structure and decision making went awry. When a side is struggling and momentum is against you it becomes very difficult to turn the tide. Weston's scrum then became increasingly dominant against the young Okes pack. After a good first half discipline wise, yet again the second forty brought more yellow cards and costly infringements. Okes went down to 13 for a spell, the second such time in two weeks. A penalty try was added as a result on one occasion to bring the scores level.

Okes just couldn't put any play of note together. Failing to score even one point with the conditions in the favour, the second half was one to forget. Weston scored out wide to make things difficult. Then as time ticked away, Okes tried another risky offload given the conditions and it was fly hacked on for a breakaway score that not only sealed the result, but also took away even a losing bonus point. Weston had secured their second win of a poor season, as they narrowed the gap on the Okes now sat just above them. No one knows what the relegation situation will be yet, however Okes have had matters in their own hands and failed to take them.

So where do Okes go from here? They are no doubt a combination of factors for Oke's decline in form. However in simple terms the performances have just not been good enough to secure the points required. Okes now have a week off before the final four matches of the campaign. Improvements are no doubt needed, but heart and desire will go a long way as the youthful Maroon And ambers to turn their fortunes around next time out at St Austell.

'Come on You Okes!'

Okehampton RFC

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