Market Harborough overpower Olney

Olney travelled to Market Harborough for their league fixture on Saturday. Conditions were good for playing and the Olney presence was bolstered by their 2nds playing on an adjacent pitch.

Harboro kicked off and play was soon established in the home sides territory when Olney counter attacked. The visitors looked to have the upper hand when they had the benefit of two penalties, in kickable distance and chose for the lineout option on both occasions. This proved non productive and the home side were able to clear up each time. The first score came when Harboro took the ball against the head, at a scrum following a knock on, they eluded the Olney defence to score in the corner. The try was not converted and Olney trailed 5 - 0 after 10 mins.

Harboro gained ground into the visitors half finding touch from a penalty kick to Olneys 22. The visitors threes were guilty of going offside and this time Harboro took the kick to goal, it was successful, so Harboro extended their lead to 8 - 0, after 15 mins.

The fortunes in the game were in the hands of the referee and Olney were awarded another penalty for a home forward killing the ball at a ruck, going over the top. The kick put the ball into touch near the home 10m. Olney won the line out and attacked through their forwards. Harboro were penalised and Brandon Kerr was on target putting the visitors on the scoreboard, after 18 mins, 8 - 3.

The game progressed through a further four penalties, 3-1 in Harboros favour, until the home side scored a converted try, on the half hour. Harboro 15, Olney 3.

Olney were unable to reproduce the form of the previous week, reaping the harvest of seven changes to the side. A promising break by Brandon Kerr culminating in a forward pass afforded the home side the opportunity to gain possession from a scrum. They took full advantage and assisted by some poor tackling by the visitors, scored another converted try. This was just before the referee calling half time.

HALF TIME SCORE: Market Harboro 22 , Olney 3.

Olney kicked off for the second half, and showed some initiative following a knock on by Harboro on the halfway line, they won the ball from the scrum and attacked on the blind side. From the breakdown the defenders put the ball into touch giving the visitors the throw in at a lineout on the home 22. Winning the ball Olney drove the maul and put Lock Keegan Anderson in for a try. Brandon Kerr added the conversion taking the score to 22 - 10 (5 mins.)

From the restart Harboro conceded a scrum near the Olney 10 m. line. Olney won the ball and attacked deep into the home half. A line out to Harboro was won by Olney lock Mark Austin but the visitors were penalised again allowing the home side to relieve the pressure. The kick to touch took play to the visitors 22.

A scrum following the line out gave Harboro the chance to run the ball in their backs and they exploited the disrupted Olney defence to score another, unconverted, try. This extended their lead to Harboro 27, Olney 10.

Olneys defence, not having the best of days, was further afflicted when Charlie Belcher had his face adjusted. Russell returned to replace him.

The writing was on the wall for the visitors, a good carry by Will Durden was snuffed out by a knock on. From the resulting scrum, Harboros right wing three-quarter, who was playing a blinder, scored a breakaway try in the corner, no conversion, Harboro 32, Olney 10.

A successful kick from a penalty added to the home tally and a try, unconverted, attributed to the final score.

FULL TIME SCORE: Market Harboro 40, Olney 10.