South West one West

Newent 18

Okehampton 16

OKEHAMPTON lost their unbeaten record, but travelled home scratching their heads at how they could lose a match they dominated for long periods.

A last gasp controversial try saw the hosts snatch victory, as the Okes came home defeated yet again from a ground at which they have never won. The Okes should have wrapped up victory much earlier, but they were never clinical enough while in the ascendancy. Missed opportunities and kicks at goal ultimately proving costly.

Newent has been a bogey ground for the Okes but they started with a slight slope and wind advantage. Early signs were promising as the Okes came out with pace and purpose. Fly half Jack Akery missed an early penalty goal as the visitors initial dominance went unrewarded. After eight  minutes another chance came Akery’s way but this time he slotted it to give the visitors the lead their bright start merited.

The visitors continued on the front foot but the first half was a tale of frustration and missed opportunities. A sniping Richie Friend break brought a chance that came to nothing; a couple of Gareth Espin half breaks also went begging as the Okes’ lack of a finish continued. Newent then lost a player to the bin as they illegally stopped another Oke forward surge. A scrum was the correct option as the Okes went for the pushover. However the set piece went forward at such a rate of knots that it was difficult to control, and the ball shot out from the rear allowing the hosts to spoil and escape unscathed. The hosts only managed to get into Okes’ territory on a couple of rare occasions, both due to penalties. A home chance at goal was missed and at the turnaround Okes had just a three point lead for all the superiority.

The maroon and ambers made changes at the break. Dan Fogarty moved to ten as Ryan Lee, Neil Perrott and player coach Gareth Evans all entered the fray. Against the elements in the second half the Okes knew they had to up their game, but their lead was short lived.

The hosts, on a rare foray into the Okes’ half, shifted the ball into midfield where centre Gellert cut a short line that saw him slide through the Okes’ defensive line to cross under the posts. Converted, the score gave the home side a lead against the run of play, but also awoke the Okes from their slow second half start. The visitors soon started to string phases together and were rewarded with a penalty chance, which was pulled wide by replacement kicker Richie Friend.

The Okes were now on the front foot but the home defence remained resolute and competitive. Dean Abrams escaped into the home 22 as Oke sought the next score, again though the Okes failed to turn pressure into points.

The visitors kept battering away though and kept the ball for long periods probing for an opening. Finally, on 54 minutes, their efforts were rewarded. The ball was moved right, down the slope, where Keiran Lee hit the line at pace and on an acute angle; he scooted in between the uprights to restore the visitors’ lead. Richie Friend added the simple extras to make it 10-7. Now firmly on the front foot, another Oke raid soon brought another penalty chance which was successfully landed by Friend to extend the lead to six points entering the last quarter of the match.

Newent were not going to lie down however, with a proud record on their home patch they gained a penalty of their own which was landed with a well struck effort to reduce the arrears. Oke’s increasing penalty count went against them and once more home out-half Dean was on the mark, and the scores were now tied at 13 apiece.

Okehampton responded and Gareth Evans made a powerful surge entering the last ten minutes but the last, try scoring pass, went high and another clear chance had gone begging. Oke’s pressure increased and the referee awarded another penalty in a kickable position. Once more it went wide. Unbowed though, they came back and a powerful scrummage saw another penalty chance as the teams entered the last five minutes. This time Richie Friend held his nerve and potted the three points to give the visitors what seemed a winning advantage with only a couple of minutes remaining.

The home side came with one last wave of attack. Oke needlessly gave away another penalty for a high shot and eventually the hosts had a penalty with the last play deep in Okes’ 22. The ball was kicked to touch and from the lineout the Okes repelled the initial surge.

A last home throw of the dice saw them feed replacement centre Mansfield who tried to batter his way over from a couple of yards. Okes’ defence met him head on and as the melee crashed over the line the home crowd cheered. The Okes were sure the ball was not grounded but the referee saw things differently and awarded the score. The kick was wide but it mattered little as the final whistle went, leaving Okes with just a point from a game they never should have lost.

There were plenty of positives for the Okes though from a game they had control of for long periods. Previous trips to Newent have seen the Okes beaten by a better side but it is a mark of how far the lads have come in this league that that definitely wasn’t the case this time.

l This Saturday Okehampton are home to North Petherton.