Enterprising Olney see off Bletchley in Lewis Shield First Round game

Olney welcomed near neighbours Bletchley to the Rec. on Saturday. To conform with the rules for this competition the line-up excluded a number of regular first team players, cup tied after the clubs triumph in the 2013/4 season. Most of the changes were in the backs, just one in the pack.

Olney kicked off and Bletchley, receiving, put the ball into touch 8m. from the halfway line. Olney won the ball on their throw in and put it into the hands of their young backline. The ball was moved at pace through the hands, stretching the visitors defence, first one way then the other, finally to Jake Deighton on the wing who scored wide out. The conversion by Patch Adamns was on target giving the home side a 7 - 0 lead after 2 mins.

The advantage was pegged back by Bletchley through their long serving place kicker Phill Hammond, who notched up points from two successive penalties around 13 mins. Closing the difference to 7 - 6.

Olney looked the more enterprising side with the ball in hand, they ran at the visitors defence, constantly probing for the breakthrough. Bletchley favoured the touchline game, but with Jumpers Keegan Anderson, Charlie Harris and Isaac Shields operating well for the home side, there was a risk element to this strategy. Bletchley under attack were awarded a penalty 5m. out from their goal line and kicked for touch between their 10/22 m. lines. Olney won ball on the Bletchley throw- in and Jeremiah Shields made ground carrying to the opposition 22. Bletchley claimed the ball at the breakdown but knocked on. The scrum some 30m. from the visitors goal line was run from a pick up in the back row.

Threes and forwards combined to put Charlie Harris in for a try, converted by Adamns. Olney 14, Bletchley 6, (28 mins.)

Bletchley had the misfortune to require a replacement due to injury, it took some time to remove the player from the pitch. At the resumption, from a scrum, Olney won the ball and attacked through the forwards. Hooker Jake Ashton made a good carry and Olney attacked down their right wing. The three-quarters joined in and good handling, at pace, put Phil Bowden at full back in for a try. The conversion narrowly missed and Olneys lead extended to 19 - 6 (40 mins.incl. injury time)

Olney counter attacked from the kick off and good hands in the three-quarters produced a try for Adamns, that he converted himself, to further extend the lead to 26 - 6. The home side made a front row change Euan walker replacing Jeremiah Shields. Bletchley kicked off into the in goal; giving Olney the 22 drop out. The ball was collected by the visitors, and not to be left out of the party, Dean Willhew stormed through Olneys defence to score a breakthrough try wide out. The conversion was successful with a fine kick from near the touchline. The score progressed to 26 - 13, Just before half time.

HALF TIME SCORE: OLNEY 26, BLETCHLEY 13

Bletchley kicked off and a knock on gave the home side put in at a scrum. Isaac Shields picked up and made a good carry linking with the backs. The move took play to the visitor 5m. line. Olney were awarded a scrum and winning the ball fed their backs to put Hamish Bull in for a try. The conversion attempt was off target and the home advantage increased to Olney 31, Bletchley 13 (10 mins.)

From the kick off, with the benefit of two penalties against the opposition, Olney took play to 15m. from the visitors goal line. The second gave the home side the platform of a line out. They won the ball and a determined run from Charlie Harris produced his second try, converted by Adamns, for the hosts to go 38 - 13 in front.

Again Olney launched a counter attack from the kick off that ended 5m. out from Bletchleys goal line. The ball carrier was bundled into touch but Olney won the ball on the Bletchley throw in. They fed the threes and Deighton went over in the R.H. corner to achieve his second, and the last, score of the game, 43 - 13.

FULL TIME SCORE: OLNEY 43, BLETCHLEY 13

TEAM: Graham Smith, Jake Ashton, Jeremiah Shields (capt.), Keegan Anderson, Charlie Harris
Kane Russell, Chris Sumner- smith, Isaac Shields
Harry Warn, Patch Adamns
Jake Deighton, Hamish Bull, Harry James, Jamie Adams, Phil Bowden
SUBS. Euan Walker, Craig Smith, Lewis Foster