On an unexpectedly warm afternoon, the young Oke charges took on Tiverton, a side they had not encountered for several seasons. The home side are unbeaten after promotion and the visitors were buoyed by a home win last week.

Early exchanges were even, and Okes defence was up to most of the challenges thrown at it. Tivvy did manage two first half tries as the Okes paid the price for too many turnovers and errors when in promising positions. Missed touch kicks also hindered the Okes efforts as they turned around 12-0 down but very much in the contest.

Okes began the second period brightly and were rewarded with a try wide left from the lively Leon Horn. The conversion was awry and missed points from the tee weren't helping the visitors cause. The match was well balanced but punctuated by many blasts of the refs whistle, preventing any real flow. The home side soon bundled over to regain their two score lead, converted to make it 19-5. Okes kept coming though and benefited from a Tom McGrattan charge down, which allowed young scrum half Grady Alford to pilfer his maiden try for the first team.

Now 19-10, it soon became just a six point margin when Luke Simmons landed a penalty kick to reduce the arrears.

Then, entering the last few minutes, Okes had the ball in their own twenty two searching for an opening. A harsh forward pass decision followed by another for a high tackle allowed the hosts a penalty bang in front with the last play of the match. It was landed to cruelly rob the Okes of the point their efforts merited.

One that got away; but this young side still doesn't yet have the winning habit. Things are slowly improving week by week though and the Maroon and ambers will certainly be looking for a strong home performance next weekend, in front of a players reunion boosted crowd. Wellington the visitors for another 3 PM kick off..

'Come On You Okes!'