Olney travelled North for their final away fixture of the season to play Leicester Forest. With Forest at the bottom of the league Olney were looking for a comfortable win to consolidate their mid table position. The visitors kicked off and took play into home territory. They had opportunities to open the scoring in the first ten minutes, but failed to turn these into points.
With the advantage of the wind and slope, Forest demonstrated that they had not turned out just to make up the numbers. They cleared their lines and when the penalty count went in their favour, they took play deep into the Olney half; eventually a penalty was kicked over and the home side were in front 3 - 0, after 16 mins.
Olney managed to contain the score for period of play in their half, but Forest were always dangerous. Another penalty resulted in a scrum for Forest and they scored a push over try. This was not converted but increased the lead after 28 mins. to 8 - 0.
The referee gave a prodigious number of penalties and from the last of these Olney again opted to kick for the line out and this time they won the ball. They made ground and shipped it to the backs for James Hawken to score a try that he converted, just on half time Olney had closed the gap; 8 - 7.
Half Time Score: LIECESTER FOREST 8, OLNEY 7.
From a driving maul, Olney managed to steal the ball and were awarded a scrum. Euan Walker made a good carry, handing on to Charlie Harris. The ball was fed to Ollie Simmons then to Hawken, who scored wide out. He converted his own try from the touch line, putting Olney in front 8 - 14, 3 mins. into the half.
The game stuttered on with Olney taking the advantage of the wind, Kane Middleton putting the ball deep into the home territory. It was the ability to kick penalties that decided the final score. Hawken took advantage and increased the lead to 8 - 17. (22 mins.)
Forest, from the kick off, won the ball from a ruck between the visitor's 10 and 22 m. lines. They moved the ball to their right, and committed the Olney defence. The ball was then fed left to their winger who touched down for an unconverted try. Score: 15 - 17.
The visitors attacked from the kick off and an exchange of penalties resulted in a line out for Olney on Forest' '22'.
Olney won the ball and drove the maul over the home goal line, but the ref, declared the ball 'held up'. The scrum 5m. out, was won and put out to the three's, they took the ball over the line but - it was.... 'held up'. Scrum '5' Olney won ball but knocked on. Forest were awarded a free kick. At this point things became a bit confused. Craig Smith was yellow carded and Forest awarded a penalty, they changed their kicker their Number 11 assuming the role. He was successful and the lead changed hands 18 - 17, (40 mins. + injury time).
Olney attacked from the restart and were rewarded with a penalty, Hawken did what Hawken does; 18 - 20.
It wasn't over yet, kick off, Olney penalised, Forest to goal - missed!