This week’s guest reporter: Betty Humpter

For the last league game of the season we travelled to Peterborough, a city renowned for its Gothic fronted cathedral and also being the home of British sugar as well as Peterborough RFC. Never an easy fixture but hopes were high and the happy band of travelling supporters would spur the team on throughout the afternoon. While discussing the cost of living one Thursday evening, the price of groceries cropped up. It was pointed out that if you think eggs are expensive, just wait until you fertilise one. In the news we heard that the man who invented the throat lozenge has died. He specifically requested no coffin at his funeral!

On a bright but surprisingly chilly afternoon, Peterborough attacked with the considerable wind in their favour and early on it appeared as if Olney were taking time to get the bus trip out of their system as much of the play was taking place well into their half. The first score came when Boro’ gained a lineout 5m out and the catch and drive followed with the forwards successful for the try. Immediately from the kick off, some strong running and indifferent tackling meant Boro’ crossed the line wide on the left for their second of the afternoon. The home side now had the upper hand and their backs pulled off a fine move from a scrum close to the line for another try to the left of the posts. After using the wind to their advantage Boro’ again worked their way close to the Olney line and the forwards drove over for the bonus point try. Olney then managed to get themselves going and a quick tapped penalty allowed Prop Leonard Idiakhoa a sniff of a chance which he took well to power over. Unfortunately this was cancelled out when the Boro’ scrum half caught the defence napping and darted over from 30m. Olney were still making inroads though and soon were back on the scoreboard courtesy of try machine Henry Warren who used his pace down the left flank for two well taken tries prior to the half time break to take the score to 29-17.

Knowing what Olney are capable of, the supporters thought a comeback could be on the cards and indeed were enthused when Rob Morgan barged over from a series of close range drives. Both sides now were looking sharp with Boro’ seemingly able to get past the first tackle but good defending otherwise held them at bay. Olney themselves were making good ground with ball in hand with Idiakhoa and Joe Baker looking dangerous and making the hard yards. The second half was not as eventful as the first though and a little frustrating from a spectators point of view as a number of stoppages and lectures by the man with the whistle, coupled with a few yellow cards meant the flow was interrupted somewhat. Late in the half, a couple of missed tackles down the left flank allowed Boro’ to have the final say in a mostly entertaining game and took the final score to 34-22.

Not the result hoped for in the last league game of the season but 4th place in a difficult league and the highest placed finish ever for the club. Plenty to look forward for next season and the future with many young players ready to take up the challenge. Bus trip home and a few beers, no doubt.

This reporter has been reading some of the messages on the players WhatsApp group. The spelling leaves something to be desired and apparently the dyslexic society has been calling one member an absolute cult. Our favourite single man has been on the scene again and the lady this time was more impressed with him than with anyone she had ever known. Unfortunately it turned out she’d been pulling his leg!

As this will be the last report for the season, we would like to thank all those who read these and take them in the spirit in which they are written. Thanks to the many who have been mentioned whether truthfully or not, and thanks to the players themselves who rallied round in a time of need with their support. Also to Dave Haggis Atkins who this week went to an acupuncturist to cure his fear of needles and still keeps going even at the age of 106!

If you have read this on social media then please indicate so with some sort of reaction or comment. It helps our publicity department assess what’s going on out there. See you next season (or maybe not). Remember…..No-one died from being offended!