Olney lose to Belgrave in mid table league game

OLNEY vs. BELGRAVE Sat. 02.12.2017
Olney had a home fixture against Leicester side, Belgrave, on Saturday. Their chances of a home win against the side two places above them in the league were diminished, by having to take the field with ten changes from the side in the programme.
Olney kicked off and followed up to acquire the ball and drive a maul close to Belgrave's '22' . They lost this brief advantage when the visitors were awarded a scrum. The ball was put into touch for a line out, Olney's throw in. Belgrave won the ball and attacked to Olney's 5 m. line. Awarded a penalty the visitors took the scrum option and capitalised on this decision, scoring a push over try. The touchdown was made by B.Nifton but not converted. This opened the scoring, the visitors taking the lead 0 - 5 after 5 mins
From the restart Olney created a scoring opportunity when Belgrave were penalised wide out near their '22' m. line. Patch Adams, making a welcome return at '15,' kicked for goal but failed to turn the chance into points. Belgrave took the '22' drop out and Olney, now starting to sort out things in the pack, won the ball to keep play in the visitor's territory. Olney were required to bring Coach Phil Powell off the bench to replace, centre, Jack Wilkinson - arm injury.
Olney looked promising when they won the ball at a set scrum some 20 m. from Belgrave's goal line but Lewis Foster, making his debut at '9', knocked on. The reason soon became apparent, when he spent the next few minutes searching for a contact lens.
Olney lacked the ability to breach the visitors defence and following a passage of play dominated by Belgrave they conceded the next score when Kevin Curtis ran in a try. He also added the conversion to increase the visitor's lead to 0 - 12 on 20 mins.
The restart kick was returned and Olney were awarded a penalty for offside. They kicked for the lineout and won the ball then drove the maul winning another penalty for offside. Adams kicked for goal and secured the first points for the home side, 3 -12 (25 mins.) Olney repeated the exercise four minutes later, Belgrave offside again, Adams kicking the goal again. Score 6 - 12.
The following minutes were consumed by penalties against both sides, resulting in lineout practice.
Belgrave made a significant mark on the scoreboard when their three's put Rod Campbell in for a try, converted by Curtis, to extend their lead to 6 - 19, on 40 mins.
Play continued in injury time for a further 5 mins. or so, until the ref. called half time.
HALF TIME SCORE: OLNEY 6, BELGRAVE 19
Belgrave kicked off for the second half. For an infringement in loose play Olney were penalised and Curtis added to the visitor's score with a fine kick, from Olney's 10 m. line. Score 6 - 22. (4 mins.).
Olney managed to gain possession of the ball following the restart and attempted a number of moves in the backs. But they could not generate a score. Ultimately, from a penalty in front of the Belgrave goal, against the visitors, Olney ran the ball and Gareth Cahill broke through to score a try. Adams added the conversion.
Score: Olney 13, Belgrave 22. (14 mins.) .
The home side played their best rugby during the next 15 mins. and were rewarded when Hamish Bull finished a backs move to touch down for a try, not converted. Score 18 - 22 (29 mins)
Olney were within a try of gaining the lead but on the half hour Belgrave posted their next score. Campbell adding a try, converted from wide out by Curtis, to extend their lead to 18 - 29 (mins).
The visitors wrapped it up when some poor cover by the home side let in Ashley Clark for an unconverted try.
FINAL SCORE: OLNEY 18 , BELGRAVE 34.
Olney rotated their subs. in the second half all getting some game time.
Team: Jeremiah Shields, Jake Ashton, Jim Osborn (capt.) George Stanton, Mark Austin, Gareth Cahill, Isaac Shields, Adrian Teckoe
Lewis Foster, Elliot Simpson, James Vine, Jack Wilkinson, Hamish Bull, Elliot Hales, Patch Adams.
Subs. Tom Short, David Rainbow, Phil Powell
TEAM SPONSOR: DESMOND J SMAIL LTD.