Olney v Towcestrians - 17th February 2024

Towcester made the short trip over to East Street having not had the best of results this season but nothing should be taken for granted in this league, so Olney would have to be on form to achieve a victory. With no international matches on this weekend to drag people to the TV screens and the occasion of the sponsors and vice presidents lunch, a good crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle. News in earlier that Plod Soman has been shopping on line again. Unfortunately the sweater he purchased kept giving him shocks from static electricity. He complained and returned it so they sent him another free of charge!

With the wind behind them in the first half, Tows made some early inroads and spent time in the Olney 22 but a few penalties and scrums were well defended by Olney who for once had the heavier pack against a young set of forwards from Towcester. Olney’s first attack came up just short but a fine run from Dave Simpson backed up by Charlie Hicks gave Mackenzie Ewing the chance to beat the defence and run in under the posts for the first try. Soon after, some strong runs up the middle from Tommy Herman and Rob Morgan saw Jim Osborn come flying through as a blonde(ish) streak from fully 40m to score. Further points were added following good handling by the backs and Hicks dotting down in the left corner. With Olney continuing their ambitious running game, Tows spotted the chance of an interception which came off as they ran in from half way to score under the posts. Good pressure by Olney towards the end of the half led to Herman barging his way over to add to his tally for the season and a bonus point for the afternoon. Ethan Chambers was the recipient of the final pass of another good handling phase for the final action of the half to increase the lead. Ewan Fuller on kicking duties was successful with four of the conversions to make the half time score 33-7.

The second half continued in the same fashion. Good pace from the backs from their own half took them up to the Tows 22 where patience then paid off to see James Brock supporting and finishing on the right for a fine team try. Throughout the game though, Tows always looked capable of scoring and a fine move along the left flank resulted in a try which was well deserved. Olney’s upper hand in the set piece was the main factor for the next try when winning a scrum in Tows’ 22 they kept up the pressure and Herman claimed his second after a few close drives. When Mac Staughton replaced Simpson he was soon called into action. Olney won a scrum on their own 22, Chambers made the break and the ball went along the backs who all made good ground for Staughton to finish in the left corner. The last try of the match was again finished by Staughton when he found space on the left to run in from far out to outpace the defence and score his second of the day. Fuller on target again with the conversions to take the final score to 57-12.

A splendid performance from Olney watched by a good crowd of VP’s and sponsors who had been well fed prior to the match. As ever we owe our thanks to the many club sponsors, without who we could not function as we do. Towcestrians are a young side who have a majority of their side made up of last year’s colts and we wish them well for the rest of the season, but this takes nothing away from the way Olney performed today, producing the entertaining rugby the players and coaches strive for each week. Apparently the evening was spent looking for chickens!

With the cold weather likely and warnings from the motoring services to be prepared, Mr Harris kitted out Mrs Harris with the essentials for her journey. She set off with a blanket, snow shovel, extra clothes, petrol can, rock salt, flask of tea, torch, first aid kit and some jump leads. It was only when she was on the bus to Newport Pagnell that she thought it was perhaps a bit over the top!

and a few pics of the match - here