It's becoming a familiar tale in this season of rebuilding for this ever changing Okes outfit. Parading one of the youngest ever first team back threes, Okes produced a stirring second half comeback,only for defensive lapses and another costly last five minutes seeing them ultimately come up short.

Playing up Camborne hill first up, the Okes started well and as has been the case a lot recently, had plenty of ball and territory but just couldn't cross the whitewash. Despite going a man down to the bin early doors, the hosts slowly started to secure more ball as the half eroded and Okes defence , particularly in the wide channels, allowed three tries and a penalty in the first 35 minutes. the score didn't reflect the balance of the game and Okes finally got the reward their first half efforts deserved when fly half Dan Fogerty popped up out wide on the end of simple hands to cross wide left. The conversion was missed, but at 22-5 when the half time whistle arrived, at least the Okes had a slight foothold in an encounter that had looked to be slipping away.

Benefiting from breeze and slope in the second forty, Okes began with gusto and they started to make the home crowd nervous as the began to eat aw ya at the home sides lead. Matt Tichias, on at the interval, was making yards with forceful carries from the inside centre position. Okes profited shortly after when the ever maturing Saul Holliday crashed over from short range to give the visitors hope. Fogarty added the extras barley five minutes into the half. Things got even better five minutes later when captain Dan Fogerty danced over, after a neat step and some gas left the home defence bewildered. Self converting, the Okes skipper had now reduced the deficit to a mere three points with over a quarter of the match remaining.

Unfortunately, as has been the case all season, Okes were unable to keep their own line intact for long. A catch and drive on 66 minutes proving unstoppable, particularly as the Okes were down to 14 at this point after a yellow for lock Brad Curtis. Okes had to regroup and come again . This they did as they continued to show promise in attack. Once more it was flanker Saul Holliday, in a late season run of five pointers, who crossed after good set up play from his fellow forwards. The conversion was also good, and with around five minutes left the game was in the balance and an away win looked likely. However in this season of cruel twists, once more the chance of victory disappeared in a disappointing climax. Firstly an Okes pass was intercepted as they sought the winning score. This was carried on until Okes ran out of defenders again out wide as their defensive naivety proved costly. Another try right at the end of the game rubbed salt into the wounds, as again Okes cover failed to tackle the home left winger into touch.

When the final whistle blew it was another frustrating away defeat, but one that positives emerged from and can be taken forward into the remaining matches of this relegationless campaign. Okes may be bottom but now know they will be competing at this level again next term. The last three matches can hopefully see the Okes regain winning ways and confidence to take into next season, along with the invaluable experience that many of the newly blooded youngsters can surely only benefit from.

Next week sees Drybrook visit, KO 3PM, your support, as ever, would be greatly appreciated,

'Come On You Okes'!

Okehampton RFC

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