For the first time in a while Olney travelled south to the temperate zones of Bedfordshire and the home of Leighton Buzzard, again with a few changes from the previous Saturday. The travelling supporters were hopeful to avenge the home defeat suffered in the home fixture earlier in the season so had turned out in good numbers, some of whom had been wined and dined prior to the match so thanks to Leighton Buzzard for their hospitality.

According to conversation at the tables these reports are read far and wide by the hierarchy in the East Midlands but we will say there is a touch of journalistic licence involved so don’t believe everything you read and don’t take things too seriously. You will also see these reports in the match day programme which is put together by club stalwart Dave “Haggis” Atkins. He’s a man who proves Darwin’s theory and has been involve with the club for more years than most can remember. Rumour has it he is 104 years old and still lives with his mother.

With a breeze against them Olney played down the Buzzard slope in the first half but took time to settle into the game. Buzzards had plenty of possession and after 10 minutes this paid off when they scored on the right for the first points. After much of the play seemed to be happening between the two 22 metre lines, Olney eventually got a lineout close to the Buzzards line which produced a good catch and drive with Tommy Herman grabbing the try under a pile of bodies. A penalty miss from Buzzards was a bit of a let off shortly after but Olney still tried their best to attack at every opportunity, unfortunately with not as much success as hoped. Things looked better when a scrum on half way was won by Olney and young Oscar Bennett made a fine break then found Ethan Chambers in support to finish the move for a try under the posts, converted by Charlie Hicks. Close to the end of the half, Buzzards levelled the score following a tapped penalty and some good movement to give them a try on the right hand side. Half time score at 14-14.

At the break, Olney swapped winger Harry Vine for colt Will Brock. This shows how much of a family club Olney has always been with Will being one of several members of the Brock family to play for the club. The same could be said for the Bennett boys and their father. It’s said that there is usually some family connection with many Olney players but we will stress that it’s nothing to do with inbreeding.

Early in the half Olney lost the ball in midfield which gave Buzzards the chance to put the ball through the hands and score in the right corner to give them the lead. Not long after, Olney were back on the attack and Brock was given the opportunity to justify his place which he took with aplomb by beating three defenders and touching down for a debut try. Buzzards turn next and time for the big blokes to have a go when they got close to the line, which proved successful with a pushover on the left hand side. Something rarely seen then occurred when Brock charged down the conversion. This may prove to have been very significant with the score now being 24-21 to the home side. Olney needed to be a bit patient and keep possession as much as possible, which so far hadn’t been a strong feature of their game. Something clicked though and the patience paid off when, after several phases the ball was shipped out to Brandon Kerr who had enough room to gallop over for the bonus point try and the lead at 26-24 (go back to the charge-down). This turned out to be the final score and although, by the players own admission, some of the play wasn’t of the highest quality, this was a close encounter and a bonus point away from home is always something to celebrate.

Our favourite single man, Plod Soman, has been to the doctor this week and explained that he has been experiencing pains in his backside. “Whereabouts exactly?” enquired the GP. To which he replied that it was mainly around the entrance. The doctor came up with the solution that the pains would probably be less if he stopped regarding it as an entrance!