Towcestrians v Olney - 4th November 2023

Back into league action after a break last week with a road trip to Towcester who usually prove to be tricky opponents so Olney would have to put in a good performance to return home with a victory. Not too far to travel for the supporters so a good crowd would be gathered on the touchline to witness the spectacle in anticipation of picking up some vital points. We also heard in the news this week that police have issued a statement saying that a local man who fell off a nightclub roof and died was not a bouncer.

If this match were at the racecourse the going would have been described as soft due to a considerable amount of rain falling in the previous few days but the two teams took to the field in front of the afore-mentioned crowd, some of who had been wined and dined prior to kick off. It was Olney who had the better of the early minutes and after some pressure on the Tows line Tommy Herman emerged from under a pile of bodies to claim the first score. Despite the conditions Olney were looking to run the ball and a break from the scrum in the Olney half found Brandon Kerr on the charge who made good yards before offloading to Harry Tongue who ran in for the try wide on the right. Later it was Oscar Bennet’s turn and when he beat the defence, Finn Allen was in support to run in under the posts. The game was not as one sided as the scoreline may suggest and Tows did add a try of their own shortly before half time following a catch and drive from a lineout 5m from the line taking the half time score to 17-5 to Olney.

Early in the second half Herman was at it again when he finished off the pushover after a drive by the forwards for the bonus point try. Tows then had a good spell of pressure, having a lengthy spell in the Olney 22 partly due to the amount of penalties conceded by the away side. This pressure eventually told when the ball went along the line for the winger to score wide on the left followed by an excellent conversion. Almost immediately Olney were back at them with Kerr fielding a high ball to then set up a ruck from which the backs used the possession well giving Mac Staughton the opportunity to beat his man and score in the corner taking the score to 27-12 to Olney. Tows again had more of the play later in the game but Olney’s defence held out and the score remained the same at the final whistle.

Probably not the greatest display ever witnessed on a rugby pitch with two sides not producing their best form so far this season and a match with far too many errors which will have to be addressed as the season goes on. However, a bonus point away from home was the best result for Olney as we move on to next week.

A little known fact emerged not long ago that Mr and Mrs Harris met while she was working at Whipsnade zoo. It must have been the boiler suit and wellies but he knew right away she was a keeper. Knowing she’s still an animal lover he bought her a racing snail for her birthday. She took off its shell to make it go faster but if anything it just made it more sluggish.