After a long hot summer that has seen parched landscapes, higher concentrations of pollution in the River Ouse, and most devastating of all, a delay to the competitive community game until the 26th September, at last the cerise and French Grey shirts will at last be pulled on in anger later today!

Well not exactly in anger, but the club takes a squad of players over to Hitchin Rugby Club to play a training game of 3 x 30 minute sessions against their hosts. The blood, sweat and tears of the summer months will finally be put into practice on the pitch, the first opportunity to see how the Olney style of play is developing under the new coaching team.

For all those thinking of travelling over to get some pre-season supporter practice in, for what will undoubtedly be a long and emotional campaign, the opening 30 is due to kick off at 2pm.

Obviously as a training game the format may change slightly but there will be 80 to 90 minutes of play however the afternoon pans out.

Hitchin Rugby Club address is: Old Hale Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1XL

Thanks to the Poet Laureate of Yardley Hastings for the words