The Okes travelled to Exeter University with the usual question of just what kind of side the League leaders would put out . Having asked some serious questions of the student side in the second half of the early season encounter there was some expectation that such a challenge over 80 minutes would make for an even contest .

As it transpired , the University fielded little short of one of it’s strongest sides, with several among it’s midst with Exeter Chiefs training and A league experience and on the day produced , according to those on the side lines , their most complete and clinical performance of the season .

The tone of the game was set after only a few minutes when the hosts ran back an Okes clearance only for a poor pass seemingly to bring the attack to a halt . However the fullback stuck out a heel in hope rather than expectation, only for the ball to back heel over his head into his arms – without the need to break stride – to deliver a simple scoring pass to the wingman who strolled over . Fly half Landray nailed the touch line conversion ,the first of 9 – a 100% rate for the game.

Two further scores, for which the students had to work mightily hard , came in the next 20 minutes with the Okes themselves playing some excellent multi phase play with centres Tom Powell and Rhys Palmer making midfield gains . Patience was eventually rewarded when the ball moved swiftly through the back line for Kieran Lee to dot down in the corner .

The hosts came back again with two more scores before half time , one from a well drilled line-out rumble , and the other from a prolonged period of close quarter crash and bash which took its toll with our friend Ruairi Cushion in his role, as physio for the Uni, being called upon to patch up a series of sore bodies. Unlike the home fixture where the Okes were able to neutralise much of the students efforts in the second half (North Petherton did so last week for which the Uni post match analysis and subsequent beasting in training was apparently somewhat brutal !!) – but on this occasion focus was maintained with momentum from the first half continuing .

To the Okes eternal credit , they were making life tough going with every yard and score having to be very hard earnt . The lads certainly weren’t being out gunned and played some of their best rugby of the season – great line speed in defence and multi phases of excellent attack with the back row of Tom McGrattan , Martin Harrison-Browne and Paul Lawrence outstanding . Neil Perrott was making trade mark yardage with some great angles and Sam Turner was putting in the usual rib rattling hits .

The Okes scored two further excellent and well worked tries through Pat Nash and a second for Kieran Lee . A final push for a 4th bonus point try looked to be heading for its just rewards as the final whistle approached . Phases too numerous to count were being applied efficiently and patiently but alas, with the Uni line no more than 2 meters away, a rare error for the Okes on the day saw the hosts hack the ball the length of the pitch for the final touch down with the conversion the last act of a game booked ended by two bits of cruel irony .

Be in no doubt , this was a very good Okes performance from which there were many positives – also be in no doubt that this was a very good University side of National 2 standard that nailed everything on the day. The Okes now move on and will be looking to build on the positives of this performance against Keynsham at home next Sat where 5 points will be the objective of Martin Harrison- Browne and his men as they seek to reverse the 1 point narrow squeak loss on the road early in the season.

Okehampton RFC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Competition

League position

Team Sponsors

Login