Olney welcomed Lutterworth to the Rec. on Saturday for their final match of the season. A daunting prospect with the visitors sitting second place in the league. Olney kicked off and the visitors, on the counter, were awarded a penalty outside the home '22'. The kick was unsuccessful but receiving from the drop out Lutterworth ran the ball and scored, J. Stone touching down in the corner. The conversion attempt failed but Olney were in familiar territory, on the wrong side of a 0 - 5 score in 4 mins.
The home side were having difficulty handling the set scrums and the problem was apparent to the referee who repeatedly asked for the scrum to be re-set, eventually giving a free kick to the home side. A knock on by the visitors gave Olney a scrum, which they won, but were penalised for handling the ball before it was out. The kick was within the range of Lutterworth's '10', R. Eager who added the points to extend their lead to 0 - 8 (15 mins.)
From the restart Olney made inroads into the visitor's territory, they sorted out the scrummaging to the extent that they turned the Lutterworth pack on the visitor's put in. From the scrum in their favour they were awarded a penalty and opted for another scrum. Lutterworth attempting to kick to touch put the ball out on the full, giving Olney a line out just outside the visitor's '22'. A scrum was awarded to Lutterworth for 'not straight' and this time Olney turned the scrum again but were penalised for pulling the scrum round. The kick was put into touch and Lutterworth won the ball from the line out.
They capitalised using their backs to set up N. Southern for a try under the posts. The conversion, by Eager, was good extending the lead to 0 - 15 after 23 mins. Lutterworth attacked from the restart kick but were forced into touch on the home '22'. Olney won the line out and ran the ball. At the breakdown they were awarded a penalty that was put into touch inside the Lutterworth '22'. They won the ball and attacked. At the breakdown Olney were awarded a scrum 5m. out from the visitor's goal line. Lutterworth conceded a penalty and Olney ran the ball. They were rewarded when the ball was put through the three's and fed to Jake Deighton, on the wing who beat his opposite number to touch down in the corner. The conversion attempt just failed to carry and the home side were on the scoreboard 5 -15 (30 mins.)
Olney were encouraged and a good counter attack, initiated by Olney full back Will Durden and carried on by skipper Jack Sutton took play deep into the visitor's half. Olney were awarded a penalty from Lutterworth's attempt to claim the ball and James Hawken converted to close the gap to 8 - 15, going into added time. Lutterworth claimed the next score, a well worked move following the kick off, with the forwards backing up, resulting in a try for G. Turner, converted by Eager stretching their advantage to 8 - 22.
Olney were served a cruel blow just on half time when from the restart the visitors kicked the ball out of defence and a freak bounce popped the ball up into the hands of M. Barber, who scored under the posts, converted by Eager. HALF TIME SCORE: OLNEY 8, LUTTERWORTH 29.
Lutterworth kicked off and a line out on the home side's '22' was well won by the visitor's and well used to produce a try, just 4 mins. Into the half, for Stone, converted by Eager. Score: 8 - 36. Olney came back strongly, from the restart and put the visitor's goal line under siege. They were awarded a penalty and opted for the lineout 5m. out. They won the ball and eventually put lock forward Keegan Anderson in for a try, converted by Hawken to take the score to 15 - 36 (12 mins.)
Olney's efforts were hampered when flanker Charlie Harris was yellow carded, the absence of this vital young player proved too much. Lutterworth went on the rampage and further tries by J. Stone(2), P. Jempson(2) and J. Connor, one converted by R. Eager gave the FINAL SCORE: OLNEY 15, LUTTERWORTH 63.