Olney snatch win in close encounter

Match Report by Jim Ford

Olney encountered Leicester side Belgrave at the Rec. on Saturday, in a match that turned out to be a very close encounter.

The visitors kicked off, into the wind, and spent most of the first half in Olney territory. The defending ability of the home side was tested and the forwards, in particular, rose to the challenge. Scoring opportunities were few. A good run by skipper Jim Osborn, that resulted in a penalty awarded against Belgrave was the nearest that Olney got to scoring. A try saving tackle by Olney full back Brandon Kerr denied the closest threat offered by Belgrave

Olney made substitutions Cameron Kok and Jake Ashton replaced by Keegan Anderson and Graham Smith. Apart from this the game suffered a series of interruptions for penalties, lines out and scrums. Half time came with a clean sheet to both sides.

HALF TIME SCORE: OLNEY 0, BELGRAVE 0.

Olney now facing the wind kicked off for the second half. The turn round, defying the elements, saw Olney having territorial advantage. Olney also had the edge in the scrums and from a succession of penalties against the visitors they took the scrum option. This situation prompted some activity among the visitors not to the referee's liking and Belgrave's numbers were depleted when a yellow card for J. Pollard removed him from the action. The ensuing penalty was in front of goal and, again, Olney opted for the scrum. They won the ball and fed the ball to their three's. Joining the line from full back, Brandon Kerr split the defence and touched down for a non converted try.
Olney 5, Belgrave 0. (15 mins.)

Belgrave responded from the restart taking play into the, so far, little used North end of the pitch. the tables were turned when Olney lost the services of their No.8, Ollie Francis who was yellow carded for conduct not approved by the ref. Belgrave made good use of the wind and the penalty kick was converted

Olney 5, Belgrave3. (23 mins.)

Olney's scrum half Rich Cowan suffered an ankle injury and sub Chris Sumner-Smith came on Cam Keenan moving in to the '9' position. He immediately made his impression on the game running the ball from a scrum close to the visitor's goal line and in front of the posts. A penalty against the visitors was 'run' by the home side who used their backline to put winger Will Edwards in for a try, no conversion.

Olney 10, Belgrave 0. (25 mins.)

Belgrave were, again down to fourteen, their flanker Elliot Walker sin binned for repeatedly attracting the ref's disapproval.
The remaining period of play produced no further score and Olney managed to hang on for a home win.

FULL TIME SCORE: OLNEY 10, BELGRAVE 3.

(Belgrave's match reporter 'Two pens' Pollard was no doubt disappointed having to report the despatch of his son
J. Pollard)
TEAM: Jim Osborn (capt.) Jake Ashton, Jeremiah Shields, Mark Austin, Cam Kok, , Gareth Carhill, Isaac Shields
Ollie Francis.
Rich Cowan, Patch Adamns
Will Edwards, Jordan Letts, Cam Keenan, Jake Deighton, Brandon Kerr.
SUBS.: Keegan Anderson, Graham Smith, Chris Sumner-Smith.
TEAM SPONSOR: DESMOND J. SMAIL LTD.

Photo by Dave Sumner-Smith