On a firm pitch and it front of a large Presidents day crowd, Okes started apace, down the slope, as they sought a victory in the last game of what has been a testing campaign for all. Also saying farewell was player coach Gareth Evans, starting at 8 in his last appearance as he moves onto pastures new after transforming the club and taking it to the heady heights of level 5 rugby.

The first half certainly looked like it was to be a happy ending, as the Okes cut loose and ran in five excellent tries. Exmouth lost two to the bin as the bottom side surprised them with their pace and willingness to play from all areas. Okes first try of this typically open end of season encounter went to winger JJ Beasley on the bottom right corner. This was soon followed by a run in from player coach Matt Tichias, making a rare but welcome appearance in the Oke's midfield. The third try arrived on 23 minutes as skipper Dan Fogerty scooted over from halfway for a splendid self -converted effort.

Left winger Ryan Lee, making a welcome return to the backline was next to cross. Put over in the bottom left corner for the Okes fourth and bonus point try of the half. The conversion was wide but the crowd were revelling in the entertainment on show. Their mood improved further when blind side flanker Saul Holliday crossed the whitewash from close range after a dominant Okes scrummage. Fogerty converted and at 29-0 just before the break, the game seemed in the bag. However Exmouth were to have the last say of the half, as they found space up the Okes right touchline to run in under the posts to go into the break boosted with the deficit now 29-7.

The Okes were up the slope in the second forty, but no one foresaw the forty minutes ahead. As good as the hosts were in the first half, they slipped back into bad habits in the second as they failed to secure any meaningful possession whilst the visitors got their tails up right from the off. Two quick scores, followed by Okes substitutions and a yellow card and it was right back in the balance. The pressure increased when a third try arrived with a quarter of the match remaining. Okes were firmly on the back foot and unable to stop the visitor's momentum. Losing becomes a habit and its currently one the Okes seemed unable to kick.

After coach Evans left the pitch to a rousing round of appreciative applause, he was soon called back into the front row fray. Then the almost inevitable fifth try came along after 66 minutes and the Okes were now remarkably trailing. They finally stirred from their slumbers in the closing minutes and piled on the pressure in the Exmouth twenty two, but were unable to make it tell. The final whistle arrived and it was another defeat to round off a season of much transition.

The Okes are fortunate to get a second bite at the cherry next term due to the lack of relegation. A new coaching structure will be in place and the Okes will hope for the return of the plentiful talent that has been unavailable this campaign. When paired alongside the developing youngsters who have learnt so much this year, then the promise of a return to winning ways will hopefully be just over the horizon.

Thanks go to all involved for their efforts on and off the pitch this season. Enjoy your summer break... 'Come On You Okes'...

Okehampton RFC

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