The forking party were called out again this week, on a pitch that was remarkably, even wetter than last week. The game went ahead though, in front of a sponsors day crowd, and one grateful to see any rugby at all. The match itself was a bit of a throwback to the rugby of yore, one where it was difficult to tell the teams apart, a forward battle of attrition with several bouts of fisticuffs thrown in for good measure.

Oke came out up the slope, determined to put last the last two week's performances behind them. Minus Player coach Martin Harrison -Browne, injured on county duty midweek, the hosts soon found themselves on the defensive. Okes concede penalties early doors and both were kicked to the corner. The first was successfully repelled, but the second, on four minutes, saw the Okes powerless to stop a catch and drive that ended with a try for Oke old boy and Biddy skipper Dean Folland. The kick went adrift but this was not the start the home side had hoped for.

Play was unsurprisingly error ridden with defences on top in the next period. Both sides attempted to move the ball and Pat Nash found himself on the overlap after a quarter of an hour but was bundled into touch just short. Plenty of kick tennis then ensued before Okes lost fly half Dan Fogerty after twenty two minutes to injury. A reshuffle saw Rhys Palmer move to ten and Gareth Espin come on in the centre. There was little fluent play in the second quarter as the forward arm wrestle continued, both sides struggling to make headway in the mud. Then, entering the last five minutes of the half, the Okes suddenly came to life and their efforts stirred the home crowd as they strove for a score up the slope. The pressure ramped up on the visitors as the Okes put consecutive penalties into the corner, and Biddy then lost skipper Folland to the bin right on the cusp of half time. Okes ran two quick tap penalties when bang in front of the posts and looked like they'd rue the decisions until an unlikely hero arrived. Several forward drives were held up before tight head legend Ian Langbridge stepped up and burrowed his way over for a collectors item five pointer. Richie Friend potted the conversion and the Okes went in with a vital two point half time advantage.

Okes needed to learn lessons from last week's match where they led with the slope in the second half, but failed to press home their advantage. This time the Okes tightened up and reduced the error and penalty count, as a result Biddy struggled to gain any significant territory during the second forty until it was too late to affect the outcome. Rhys Palmer was playing the conditions wisely and Okes gained a penalty from a set scrummage, now minus the injured Pat Nash. Richie Friend coolly extended the Okes lead to five points with a steady kick and the Oke's growing superiority was rewarded. The hosts were now well on top and controlled possession and territory for the next quarter ,without really threatening to cross for the much needed second try. Richie Friend missed a tricky penalty chance before the Okes finally struck. On 68 minutes Okes gained an attacking lineout. The lineout was much improved this week and possession was secured about 15 meters out. Scrum half Richie Friend seemed to hesitate as he received the ball, but as a gap opened up in front of him he needed no second invitation to rush through it. He handed off a despairing defender as he made his way to the corner for the crucial second five pointer for the hosts. The difficult conversion was missed, but now with a ten point lead, worth double given the conditions, the Okes were firmly in control.

Bideford were not done though, fighting for survival they rallied in the last ten minutes, aided by Oke penalties, they camped on the host's line. Another bout of handbags occurred and as the match entered the last couple of minutes Biddy drove over amidst a pile of bodies. The ref decided he could see Dean Folland ground his second try of the match and the visitors had secured a losing bonus point. That is all they got though, as the Okes saw out the last minute untroubled to secure a much needed home victory. Fully deserved, the four points help the Okes in their quest for fifth place, whilst the point does little for Biddy who now need a miracle to stay up.

Next Saturday brings the last away trip of the season, at Bridgwater, where the Okes will look to do the double and continue their momentum, KO 3 PM.

Okehampton RFC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Location

Competition

League position

Team Sponsors

Login