It's been tricky for the Okes since Christmas, tough away fixtures at three of the league's top four sides and just one home victory after three weather affected postponements. There were still lots of positives to be taken from Saturday's defeat though, and with a run of five home ties in the eighth league matches remaining, the Maroon and Ambers will soon be looking to start climbing the league table once more.

Conditions in the Forest of Dean were unlike anything the Okes had seen for some time. Sunshine overhead and a firm surface underfoot made conditions ripe for a running open game, and that's exactly what the supporters got. To both side's credit they played fast attacking rugby throughout this high tempo encounter. Okes had a lively first couple of minutes as they kicked off with the benefit of a very slight breeze on a pitch that slopes significantly from top touchline to bottom, very Brixham-like in it's topography. Newent then took their turn to attack as the frenetic opening continued. On seven minutes the Okes found themselves defending a Newent scrum on their own twenty two line, the hosts moved the ball to centre field where their number ten made a half break and offloaded to his rangy outside centre who crossed beside the uprights. The conversion was added and the Okes had already been warned of the host's midfield attacking threat.

Okes were soon demonstrating their own attacking prowess in response, as god ball retention and width on the ball brought a half chance that was lost as the Okes conceded a penalty on the host's twenty two. The end to end nature of the opening quarter continued, and the home side were soon scything through in midfield once more and a try looked the likely outcome until a typically pugnacious turnover from scrum half Richie Friend brought a relieving penalty for the visitors. The tit for tat attacks then saw Oke's winger Kieran Lee hack ahead, only to be denied a score as he was adjudged to have knocked on as he strove for the line.

The Okes were visibly growing in confidence at this point, and as the twenty minute mark approached the visitors were awarded a penalty five meters out and they opted for a scrummage. They looked set for a pushover try until the hosts infringed once more, no surprises as the Okes then opted for another set scrum. This time the scrum wheeled right slightly so number eight Martin Harrison-Browne picked up and drove into the ten channel. The Okes player coach , influential in attack throughout the first forty, slipped an inside pass to Richie Friend who skipped over to level the scores after adding the conversion himself. The Okes conceded a penalty directly from the restart and were grateful for a knock on and decent clearing kicks from Luke Simmons and Gareth Espin during a testing five minute spell. Oke then took play back into the Newent half as once again they demonstrated effective phases and the ability to stretch play to both touchlines. Fly half Dan Foggarty pulled the strings masterfully on two occasions and eventually the space was created to allow centre Luke Simmons to dive over in the bottom right corner as the Okes enjoyed their best spell of the match. Richie Friend added a superb touchline conversion and the Okes led 14-7 nearing the half hour mark.

Unfortunately this was the last time the Okes would be ahead, although they had an opportunity to stretch further ahead when a penalty was kicked to the corner. However a sloppy knock on halted the Oke s progress and they were soon on the defensive themselves. A loose kick allowed the Newent right winger to counter, and only a brave last gasp corner tackle from Okes fly half Foggarty stopped a certain five pointer. It was only a temporary reprieve for the Okes though as the home side struck just minutes later. Once again the hosts used an offload in midfield, this time allowing the home second rower to cross for a converted score to tie things up as the interval approached. Things nearly got much worse as another home break soon caused havoc. Okes full back Gareth Espin was then both hero and villain as he prevented a try with a fine turnover, only to then be yellow carded and the penalty reversed as he retaliated to one of many off the ball niggles. Home fly half Webb opted for posts, only to snatch his kick left to leave the fourteen men Okes heading into the interval all square.

Visiting hopes were high on resumption, despite their man disadvantage, as the Okes had shown plenty of first half threat. However the Okes struggled to regain their rhythm in the second forty and spent long periods battening down the defensive hatches. Personnel changes were made as the Okes gave a first team debut to promising young prop Joe Mawle off the bench. An increasing penalty count, many of which puzzled the crowd and players alike, didn't help the Oke's cause, and the pressure eventually proved too much after fifty minutes. The Okes scrum, now minus tighthead cornerstone Ian Langbridge, came under pressure at a five meter scrum , and despite what seemed a knock on at the base, the hosts scored their third try of the afternoon. It was a fair reflection of the host's superiority in the second half however, as the Okes struggled to glean enough possession to test the home defence as they had in the first period.

After 55 minutes Newent struck again to seal the four try bonus point. Okes were enjoying their first real foray into home territory during the second forty when they were pinged yet again by the referee. The home side saw the chance to take a quick tap and go, and after some desperate scrambling from the Okes, they threw a wide pass which bounced kindly into the arms of the home left winger who ran in unopposed as the Okes eventually ran out of defenders in the wide channels. This time the conversion was good, and at 26-14 behind the Okes had to score next to remain in the contest.

Entering the last quarter both sides were reduced to fourteen as Okes flanker Dean Abrams and his opposite number were sent to the bin after a fracas. A inevitable result of the constant off the ball niggle that blighted an otherwise fine match. Penalties continued to punish the Okes and the match was eventually put out of reach as home thirteen Mansfield cut another fine angle to race through for the hosts fifth try. Although unconverted the Okes now trailed 31-14 as the match entered the last ten minutes. The game then went slightly flat with the result assured but the Okes did manage a final flourish. Newent had possession near the Okes twenty two as time ticked away, but Oke's left winger Ryan Lee sniffed out an interception and raced away to earn the Oke's third try. The young flier tried, unsuccessfully, to drop kick the conversion from bang in front as the Okes hoped there was enough time for the game to restart. However the ref blew for time and any hopes of a losing bonus point were gone.

No complaints with the result, however the Okes will know that a better second half performance and the benefit of some decisions going their way would've brought the bonus point that their significant efforts merited. Newent were able to field their strongest side for some weeks and the Okes are still missing some key personnel. However the Maroon and Ambers are back on home turf next Saturday as they take on a promotion chasing Drybrook side with a 2.30 KO. Why not come along to cheer the Okes on and stay to watch the England Scotland Six Nations match afterwards?

Okehampton RFC

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