Oadby Wyggestonians v Olney - 21st September 2023

Back on the road again for an away match against Oadby who we haven’t played for a few seasons due to the restructuring of the leagues. This was usually a difficult place to visit and come away with a victory but both clubs have had mixed fortunes with results this season so Olney travelled here with high hopes of an away win. We also learned this week that John Nicholls took a part time job making plastic Draculas for Halloween. There were only two people on the production line so he had to make every second count.

With autumn in the air on a chilly but dry day, Olney travelled up with a young side featuring several changes again from the previous week. Oadby started well and were soon on the attack which created enough pressure for Olney to concede a penalty. The shot at goal successful to give Oadby an early lead. There followed a spell where both sides cancelled each other out and most of the play was between the 22m lines but Olney finally kicked for the corner and the resulting catch and drive was finished off well by Tommy Herman. Conversion by AJ Bowes and 7-3 to Olney. Oadby then had another period of possession and with the defence stretched, Olney failed to deal with a cross kick allowing the Oadby full back to capitalise for a score wide on the right. Shortly after, Olney were caught on their own 22 leading to another penalty and another three points. Olney then decided to show the type of rugby they can play with a fine break by Cobie Chapman and support from Ethan Chambers following up to score. Oscar Bennett broke from deep in his own half and found Chapman on his shoulder then captain Eddie Goss also made yards leaving Herman to finish the move for his second of the afternoon. Half time score 11-19 to Olney.

The second half continued in the same manner. Oadby slotting a penalty and then Olney with a pushover from a catch and drive with Rob Morgan claiming the bonus point try. The boys in cerise then found themselves under a bit more pressure and were guilty of conceding more penalties than they should have. Fortunately only one of these resulted in points on the board for Oadby but it was evident their forwards were their best weapon to get them back into the match. However, Olney had other ideas and Herman completed his hat-trick finishing off some good support play involving several players. Some strong scrummaging close to Olney’s try line from Oadby finally paid off when they broke from the base to narrow the scoreline yet again. Entertaining moment of the day was when slim Jim Osborn showed that training pays off as he flew down the left wing, beating several defenders on the way for a 50m classic wingers try. The score now at 38-24 in Olney’s favour. Oadby were not done yet though and gave their supporters hope by claiming a bonus point of their own following several phases of play. A further penalty took them to within 4 points of victory. Olney had chances at the other end but failed to capitalise and there seemed a certain inevitability when Oadby ventured close to the Olney line in the dying seconds. Indeed it was to be as scrum after scrum from penalties and infringements eventually led to the ball being passed along the line for an easy run in for the left winger to Give Oadby victory by a point with the last play of the game. Final score 39-38 to Oadby.

Although Olney came away with 2 bonus points they will feel that this was a defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. All is not doom and gloom but there is plenty to work on in training during the week and a few things for the coaches to fix if we are to win these type of games. A bit of grumbling from the hardy souls who ventured up to watch but they will be there for the next match to cheer the lads on.

More from the world of Plod Soman as we heard that a lady from a local animal shelter knocked on his door asking for donations, so he gave her next door’s cat. Later in the evening whilst buying a bag of chips he was asked if he wanted anything on them. “Does it cost any extra?” he enquired. When told that it didn’t he said “Then could you put on a steak pie, battered sausage and mushy peas, please!”