Altrincham Kersal v Olney

Sunday 7 March 2010

Win 7-33

Olney up the ante at Altrincham

The pink ladies made the long journey up to Altrincham Kersal in Manchester at the weekend to face their mid table rivals on a lovely sunny day, perfect conditions for a great rugby match.   

Olney started well from the kick off, immediately putting AK under pressure and forcing errors; from the resulting scrum just 5 metres out number 8 Kat Woods picked up and charged over to open the scoring. Grainne Egan providing the conversion.

From the restart Olney kept up the momentum and worked hard at the breakdown to secure the ball despite good counter rucking and mauling from AK. After some good phases of play Olney got the ball through the hands to centre Sophie Rudge who burst through the defence and sprinted in from the half way line, dodging the defenders to add another score, again converted by Egan.

The home side then got stuck in defensively, Olney were camped within their 22 for a sustained period of pressure with scrum after scrum. Olney proved that their front row is the best in the league, winning ball against the head but mistakes in the mid field  meant that possession continued to swap sides. Eventually in open play the ball was taken wide by number 10 Mary Hardwick who sprinted around the fragmented defence to score in the corner.  The half time score at 19-0.

After the break it was the home side that started well, shipping the ball wide quickly to their winger who made good ground but desperate cover tackles from Olney at first prevented any damage. However AK managed to keep the ball secure and barged over to register a score and conversion.

The pink ladies re grouped and put together some good phases of play, getting to the breakdowns quicker to managing to keep the ball secure with some great work from the forwards. Good ball from the lineouts saw some excelling driving mauls up field only for the visitors to be caught out as AK stole the ball and kicked for touch gaining territory.  However, Olney managed to keep up the pressure and as the ball went through the hands it was centre Rudge who again fought her way through to reach for the line for her second try. Again Egan providing the conversion.

As the home side began to tire Olney kept up the momentum. A number of penalties against the home side brought the visitors closer to the line with some excellent kicking by Egan. From the line out, clean, quick ball found number 10 Hardwick who spotted a gap in mid field to dodge through and sprint for the line for her second try, Egan converting. Final score 7-33.

Olney Ladies next fixture is again against Altrincham Kersal at home on 21 March 2010.

 

Camp Hill v Olney

Sunday 14 February 2010

Lost 36-19

Due to the bad weather this was only the second game for the Pink Ladies in 2010 and they faced a tough encounter with league leaders Camp Hill in Birmingham. Immediately Camp Hill showed why they are top, exploiting gaps in the Olney defence to run in the first try of the game after only a few minutes. More of the same followed as the pink ladies struggled to get a grip on the game and find a way to respond to Camp Hills quick passing and offloads. Another breakaway try was converted and a penalty left Olney 17-0 down with barely 15minutes on the clock.

However, Olney were never going out without a fight and finally got some possession, getting some good phases of play together. Cracking tackles from Helen Hacker put the home side under pressure and forced errors, the resulting scrum saw number 8 Sarah Larner gallop up field from half way, dodging through the desperate defence only to be stopped just short. Olney battled on but ball was stolen at the ruck and Camp Hill cleared their lines.

Now working off a solid platform from the scrum Olney quickly moved the ball out wide with centre Maddy Bowley drawing the defence to release Dani Phan who sprinted in from the 22 to get Olney on the score board, try converted by Grainne Egan.

Camp Hill responded with a clear game plan; suck in the Olney defenders to leave space out wide. Some selfish play from their centres wasted clear overlaps and strong tackling from inside centre Sophie Rudge prevented further damage. However it wasn’t long before Camp Hills centre crashed through to register another score – half time 24-7.

Again Olney were caught unaware at the restart, strong running and hand offs from Camp Hills number 7 saw her break through tackles to get another score. But Olney got their heads up and started getting some phases together. Strong runs from the pack drove up field, with quick ball the pink Ladies were on the attack, a lovely off load from Centre Sophie Rudge to the flying winger Dani Phan took Camp Hill by surprise, as Phan sliced through the defence and dodged the full back to register another score, again converted by Egan.

Finally it was coming good for the visitors – a quick penalty tap and Olney had all the momentum, a driving maul was just held back, tantalisingly close to the line. A well worked team try followed as the ball went through the phases and found its way out to second row Rachel Hemsley out wide whose strength was no match for Camp Hills winger as she drove over the line to take the score to 31-19.

From the restart Camphill piled on the pressure and spotted a gap in the Olney defence, desperate tackles only delayed the home side using the overlap to get another score and take the total to 36-19. However it was Olney who had the final say, driving up field with phase after phase of strong running and great off loads, but it wasn’t to be, just metres short the pink ladies were bundled into touch leaving the final score 36-19.

Olney Ladies next face Vale of Lune at home on 28^th February.

 

Olney Ladies v Lakenham Hewitt

Sunday 24 January

WON 27-5

 

With nearly a six week break enforced due to the snow, Olney Ladies were looking forward to stretching their legs this Sunday with a much anticipated game against Norfolk team Lakenham Hewitt.  Olney started well with some pressure immediately applied by flanker Laura Stewart and number 8 Sarah Larner.  Quick rucks and some good support play saw Olney rumble up the pitch, although Lakenham’s excellent tackling did much to prevent immediate damage.

 

It wasn’t long before Olney looked like scoring but chances weren’t taken as overlaps went to waste.  Lakenham came into their own at the breakdown, stealing ball against the flow of play much to Olney’s dismay.  Some good work from their forwards and number 10 saw Lakenham get back into the game but this time Olney managed to turn over the ball, thanks to Helen Hacker, and soon Laura Stewart’s interlinking play with winger Dani Phan paid off, and the flanker Stewart went over to open the scoring.

 

Good strong running in the back line continued as centre Sophie Rudge and full back Caz Collie started to find gaps.  An excellent period of play where Olney kept the ball alive saw them make steady progress and it was Laura Stewart who went over again for her second try.  Soon after, winger Phan scooped up a ball and got into her very quick stride to outpace the visitors, touching down and giving Caz Collie the chance to convert which she duly did.

 

Lakenham then woke up however, and their number 10 instinctively found a gap from nowhere. Olney were on the back foot and despite opportunities to tackle, the hits didn’t go in and Lakenham managed to weave through to score a try, leaving the half time score at 17-5.

 

The second half saw a better shape of game from both teams, who had run the break from rugby out of their system. Lakenham’s scrums were impressive and more than once they stole ball against the head. Their line-outs however were not so strong and resulted in penalties to bring Olney back in to the game.  Prop Lindsay Johnson made good incursions to get Olney moving, ably supported by Lizzi Leech at second row – and the increase in possession paid off as Helen Hacker suddenly emerged on what was surely a run in for a try, but Lakenham’s full back did her job and brought Hacker down, with Stewart just denied her hat-trick by a knock-on.  Olney were determined however and from a turn over ball, the forwards worked hard to get within inches of the line. Eventually it was number 8 Sarah Larner who dived over to get the well-deserved try.

 

Soon after Olney were once again looking like scoring, with a run from full back Caz Collie getting tantalisingly close. Again though opportunities were missed and Olney lost their heads a bit, although Dani Phan at wing made a good tactical choice with a chip and chase.  The ball back in play, it was Collie who whipped round the outside at pace to finish Olney’s campaign in this match.  The try unconverted, it left Olney 27-5 winners in what was a very enjoyable game for both players and supporters.

 

 

 

Flat Norfolk may be, but this game against Norwich based Lakenham Hewitt and Olney on Sunday proved to be full of highs and lows, packed with excellent rugby from both sides and a nail biting last 10 minutes.  Olney, again with depleted numbers but fielding a full team, started well by immediately taking the game to the hosts, driving towards the 22 thanks to strong running from Helen Hacker and Alison Taylor.  It looked for some time like an early score was on the cards but a knock on and the resulting scrum gave Lakenham possession, which they made the most of by pinning Olney back into their own half thanks to the excellent kicking of their number 10.

 

Tackling throughout this game was ferocious and man of the match centre Kerry James got stuck in with some hard hits which kept Lakenham away from the try line.  Lakenham’s pack were strong in the scrum and in the loose and made good headway towards the try line – once again it looked like a score was in the offing, but Olney worked hard and pushed the home side back, turning over possession for full back Caz Collie to hoof the ball away.  Lakenham’s winger was excellent in counter attacking from taking high balls and in broken play the home side looked dangerous. But Olney stuck to their guns and fly half Lizzy Holborn and winger Jade Newbury put in some excellent defensive work to prevent damage.

 

It was deadlock at half time as both teams failed to register a score, but not for lack of effort.  The second half began at the same high-octane level with both teams working brilliantly to gain ground.  Olney started to open up in the backs and Kerry James made great strides to find some gaps.  Eventually Maddy Bowley at centre was on the receiving end of James’ hard work and snuck over to secure a try for Olney, which was converted by Collie.  Olney’s travelling supporters were elated and a tense period followed as the clock ran down – could Olney hold onto this narrow lead?

 

Lakenham replied in good form and stole ball against the head in the scrums.  However Alison Taylor jumping in the line out did excellently to win opposition ball and this once again gave Olney a great platform to build from.  Passes just didn’t go to hand however and once again possession turned over. Lakenham brought on some big guns as substitutes and their fresh legs gave the home side more impetuous.  Eventually a clever kick from number 10 gave the tall Lakenham winger space and opportunity – the fall out, despite Olney’s best efforts, gave Lakenham a try with the conversion following taking them level with the away side.  Olney still kept positive and from the restart gained good ground.  Caz Collie and Emily Barker, newly in as flanker, provided good support play and kept momentum going.  It looked for a moment as if Olney might draw away but it didn’t quite come off, leaving frustration but a fair result with both teams providing a really excellent display of high quality rugby.

 

 

Camp Hill come out tops

Olney ladies v Camp Hill

Lost 21 – 31

Sunday 25 October

A strong start from visitors Camp Hill kicked this league game off at a high tempo and from the off, Olney were on the back foot. Defending on the line, Olney put in some excellent tackles but Camp Hill’s quick hands and offloads to the supporting runners left Olney trailing as the visitors’ winger blazed over to open the scoring.

The home side responded well and some great work from the forwards around the fringes gave Olney some ground.  Tackling was fierce from both sides but Helen Hacker managed to break through and with support from Sarah Allen the ball went out to Kerry James at 10 who tore through the defence to score, Caroline Collie converting.  Camp Hill, always strong tactically, used their boot to full effect in gaining territory, and they came close to another try which was only snuffed out by Sarah Allen’s last gasp tackles.  An injury to Olney’s back line saw the home side a player down and Camp Hill exploited the moment by shipping the ball out to register another score, quickly followed by another backs try.

Olney’s winger came to the rescue in the form of petite Dani Phan, who collected a high ball near half way and created a brilliant individual try, sprinting past her opposite number and the full back to touch down – Collie converting again.

With Olney just one try behind, the home side threw everything into the second half, starting brightly with some good territory and possession.  A try from Olney was deemed held up and it wasn’t long before the tide turned and Camp Hill were over again.  From the next kick off Olney pressured well and scrum half Mary Hardwick spotted a gap and darted through to add another score to Olney, once again converted by Collie.

Camp Hill kept the pressure on and their pace played against them with some forward passes – a try from which was deemed disallowed owing to this reason.  Sophie Rudge and Kerry James at 12 and 10 respectively, kept Camp Hill’s offensive at bay with some fantastic tackling and made ground themselves, but it was Camp Hill who rounded off the game with another try from their flying winger.

Olney face Altrincham Kersal away next weekend

Olney sunk at Waterloo

Olney 0 - Waterloo 36

Sunday 11 October

 

Travelling up to Liverpool with a side depleted by unavailability and injury, Olney knew a test was in store but had confidence from performances in the past where key players have been missing. The pink ladies were hoping to pull it out of the bag once again, but Waterloo had other ideas.

 

Olney started well and possession was evenly spread between the two teams, with most play in the centre of the pitch.  Waterloo were excellent at pressuring the breakdown and stole the ball on occasion - although Olney's supreme scrums fought back control and possession against the head, with Clair Swallow at hooker and props Lindsay Johnson and Amanda Clarke doing a blinding job.

 

Waterloo's first three scores came from Olney's errors in leaving small gaps in the back line which their pacey runners squeezed through.  Fielding two forwards in the centre, Olney knew there were some weak spots due to unfamiliarity - although the ferocious tackles from Helen Hacker and Sarah Allen in the centre didn't give this away.  Olney weren't playing as a connected side at times, although excellent work from number 10 Kerry James and Kat Woods at 8 did lead the pink ladies forward in attack.

 

The second half brought renewed efforts from Olney with Mary Hardwick at scrum half playing a superb game in pressuring her opposite number and keeping Olney's momentum wherever possible.  In defence, Lizzi Leech organised well which meant that Waterloo made no ground around the fringes.  However their experienced backs sniffed out half chances and managed to convert them into tries - something which Olney just couldn't quite manage on the day.

 

Olney look forward with relish to entertaining Waterloo at the new Doff's Field later in the season however, promising a very different display to this game.

 

 

(above: altogether now...squeeeeeeeeze)

Coming into the second half Olney had everything to play for and knew that they needed to be on their guard to stop Leo’s drawing away.  Their line quickly came under threat again however, as Leo's spotted a gap down the blind side and looked set to score.  A watershed moment arrived in the form of number 8 Sarah Allen sprinting back half the length of the pitch and tackling the Leo’s speedster, holding up the ball to prevent a sure try from the visitors.  The drama continued as Leo’s battled to get over the line, with Olney putting in some stirling tackles to see off the offensive.  Eventually Olney turned over the ball and full back Caz Collie got it away with a rollicking kick – giving Olney some much needed breathing space.

Securing ball from the line out thanks to great work from Alison Taylor, the home team suddenly found some gaps with scrum half Mary Hardwick spotting potential out wide.  Olney shipped the ball through the line with winger April Duncan making good ground.  Great support from the pack kept momentum going and eventually winger Dani Phan managed to break through and take Olney into the lead with her second try.  Caz Collie converted from in front of the posts.  Olney’s heads were now firmly lifted and another period of superb support play kept the home side going the right way.  This time it was centre Sophie Rudge who made an impression, breaking through the defence with some determined running.  Although Sophie was brought down by Leo’s full back, Olney kept possession and this time it was flanker Laura Stewart who was on the lucky end of some textbook passing, going over to take Olney further in front.  Once again Collie converted leaving Olney 24-14 in the lead.

Despite some excellent tackling from the visitors, it wasn’t long before pressure bore down again and they conceded a penalty in front of the posts. Collie stepped in to slot it over, taking Olney away from the danger zone, going 27-14 ahead with just minutes left on the clock.  Leo's showed their mettle and came back once again with some incisive running from their back row.  Good use of the boot took them within scoring range and it was only determined tackling from Olney that prevented them coming back into the game.

 

Olney face an away trip to Liverpool next weekend, taking on Waterloo.