This week’s guest reporter: Cam Elltow

A warm welcome to Daventry on a slightly gloomy day which we hoped the rugby would light up the occasion. In the past couple of matches against them the score has been close and decided in the closing stages so possibly a hard fought contest was on the cards again. Many thanks to our friends and neighbours at the Cricket Club for sponsoring today’s game and as usual, a fine meal and good to catch up with some familiar faces. Much has happened since the last report but we have to mention with a certain irony that a local funeral directors has had to increase their prices and put it down to the cost of living.

From the start both sides attacked and defended with a fiery intensity but much of the action took place between the 22m lines rather than inside it. After Olney had gained enough ball and territory to cross into the red zone they created space to run the ball through the backs with Henry Warren crossing for the first score, converted by Ewan Fuller. Directly from the kick off Daventry were awarded a penalty which gave them 3 points on the board. After this both sides cancelled each other out until not long before half time when Olney were reduced to 14 following a high tackle which gave Daventry the impetus to attack the forwards and to tie a few players into rucks. This effective tactic paid off when their backs had the room to exploit the spaces and score close to the posts. A successful conversion gave them the lead followed by another successful penalty with the last kick of the half to take the score to 7-13 at the break.

Shortly after the start of the half, Olney were a man down again following a slight altercation, and Daventry were on top of things putting pressure on the Olney defence. After several phases and some stern defending by the home side, the inevitable happened and a cross kick to the right wing was gathered by the Daventry winger who dotted down for the try which was also converted to give the visitors a 13 point lead. Olney came back well but some excellent defending by Daventry kept them at bay and it appeared the game was slipping away as the minutes ticked by. With about 4 minutes left on the clock Olney did manage to work their way into the Daventry 22 and Charlie Hicks seemed to appear from nowhere to catch the defence off guard and score for the home side. Unfortunately the conversion was unsuccessful so with the score at 12-20 Olney still needed 2 scores to win. With the referee being consistent with his interpretation of the high tackle, Daventry were then reduced to 14 which allowed Olney to use their new found confidence to attack the line resulting in Gareth Cahill picking up close in and scoring under the posts. A missed kick again left them short of the victory. With the game now getting to the frantic stage and few seconds left, Daventry were awarded another yellow card. Stu Livesey saw an opportunity as Olney attacked the line again and much to the delight of the crowd gathered at the hut end, ran round under the posts to score and make the conversion easier and give what seemed an unlikely victory to the Olney boys with the final score 24-20. The legend Steve Howson gave his usual view on things but must have been spending too much time with Chunk Chandler as this week it was unprintable!

In all honesty, Daventry could consider themselves unlucky not to come away with a win, but today showed that Olney will not give up and continue to fight until the final whistle. As ever it’s not always fair to single people out when this was a team performance at its best but Eddie Goss led from the front as usual, veteran Gareth Cahill showed his experience when it mattered and man mountain Hector Stanbridge put in his usual hard shift.

In other news, we learned it is National diarrhoea awareness week. There are 5 key facts to look up but we think number 2 may surprise you.

Unfortunately this could possibly be the last match report from this reporter (unless something drastic happens) as we bow down to the gods of political correctness and wokery. A big thumbs up to those who read these and take them in the spirit they have been written but an imaginary finger to those who don’t. Particular thanks to Mr and Mrs Harris, Plod Soman and those who have been the target of many of the lies and jokes and to Dave Haggis Atkins. Remember though………No-one ever died from being offended.

For some pics of the match - click here