This week’s guest reporter: Dan Gleebitz

Olney made the trip south on the M1 to Luton not really knowing what to expect as the Bedfordshire club have had mixed fortunes since being promoted a few seasons ago and allocated a spot in the London division. They are now back with the Midlands and no doubt hoping to rise to their former position as one of the top sides in the county. The Olney side saw a few changes from the previous game at Aylesbury, and with many players looking for first team rugby when the league fixtures start, this would be a chance for some to perform. Olney seemed to have a player with one white and one black leg but it turned out to be Graham Smith with a lot of strapping!

On a pitch which would have benefitted from a couple of days grazing prior to the match, Olney kicked off facing the wind against a bigger and heavier Luton side. The home side used this to their advantage gaining ground to pressure the Olney try line. Olney held out and good break from deep by Jacob DeMain and the backs resulted in a penalty to Olney in the Luton half which was then kicked to touch for an attacking lineout. Duly won, Noddy Deighton came off his wing and when stopped, the ball was recycled quickly for Lloyd Sweeny to score wide on the right. Some indecision from the resulting kick off allowed Luton to gather and score immediately to level the match.

Luton kicked well with the conditions to put pressure on the back three and they were eventually awarded a penalty which was taken quickly, catching the defence napping and allowing the full back to arrive at speed and cross the line for the try. As was to be expected, the Olney boys were not going to roll over, and the back line showed good attacking promise with ball in hand. After several forays into Luton territory, Olney stole a lineout giving Cobie Chapman the chance to do a bit of juggling but eventually securing the ball to dot down for his score. The rest of the half saw both sides cancelling each other out leaving the half time score at 12-10 to the home side.

Half time allowed a few personnel changes, Olney bringing on a player apparently wearing a joke stomach. He was identified as a man called Trout. Don’t knock him, he’s a good chap, always gives his all and never lets anyone down. Clubs need players like this. With this introduction the pack was holding its own against the tiring Luton heavies, the backs were receiving more ball and consequently were more able to run freely. Some swift handling followed by a deft chip from Hamish Bull gave Phil Bowden the opportunity to win the race for the touch down. Harvey Dunn was next on the scoresheet for Olney when quick thinking from a tapped penalty opened up the Luton defence for a fine solo try. Olney continued the running rugby theme and when the ball found its way to the left wing it was Harvey Dench adding his name to the list of scorers. When an attacking lineout was won again in the Luton half, a miss move in the centre gave Struan Brooks a sniff of a chance which he duly took with some fancy footwork beating the defence to take the score to 12-38 in favour of Olney. (Short video of this on something called Instagram)

Luton did finish the game strongly when their forwards drove over in the corner for the last try of the match. Final score Luton 17 Olney 38.

Thanks should go to the gentleman from Luton who stepped in at the last minute to referee the game. No complaints here as it would have been no game at all without him. After the whistle, the sheep were driven on to the pasture and teams and spectators were left to reflect on a good win for the boys in cerise and grey. The expectation for league games is that we will be fairly light-weight against most of our opponents so quick running rugby should be the aim. Support is always welcome both home and away and there’s always some happy faces on the touchline, so come and watch……you know you want to!