This week’s gust reporter: Cam Elltow

Olney returned to Doff’s for this first home fixture of the New Year with high hopes of a victory following an unfortunate loss against Broadstreet in their previous outing. Judging by the league positions this should be an evenly matched contest between two sides searching for points. With many games called off recently due to hard pitch conditions, some former players remembered playing the second leg of a cup match years ago on a pitch consisting of brick rubble, crushed concrete and sprinkled with gravel. Fortunately we won on aggregate. In other news the chairman of a local dyslexic charity has been given an OBE so all he has to do now is learn how to play it.

Having been fed and watered by match sponsor MJ Lettings and Will Edwards on the occasion of his 40th birthday many of the masses missed the first score of the afternoon as they were still inside but Olney had scored in the first minute from a driving maul and the ball passed wide to Henry Warren for the try. Cov absorbed a number of forceful attacks before working their way up the field and when within range, some nimble footwork saw them cross for their first try of the afternoon. A handling error by the home side allowed Cov to run from deep and good support play gave them a try under the posts. This put some fire in the Olney belly, a spell of dominance and the next try. Catch and drive with Ben Edwards capitalising with the score. The next attack caught the Cov defence up flat and with nothing behind them Ewan Fuller put the chip through for Harvey Dench to pounce. He got his name on the scoresheet again a few minutes later after some good phases from both forwards and backs and the bonus point for the fourth try. Good handling to give Warren some space wide out meant he was able to open his legs and show what he’s got resulting in the final score of the half and his second of the day. Three conversions by Charlie Hicks and the score at the break at 31-14.

The team talk at half time must have been a good one as Cov came out strongly to put significant pressure on the Olney defence and when a hole like a wizards sleeve opened up they took advantage and duly crossed for the try. When a penalty kicked for the corner found its mark, it was Cov’s turn to execute the catch and drive to force their way over for a bonus point try of their own and the score at 31-26. After soaking up a bit more pressure, Charlie Hicks spotted an opportunity for an interception and ran from his own half to score close to the posts. Cov then introduced veteran prop Chris Cain who was obviously there to add more pressure in the set piece (running was never in his repertoire). Proper old school but a top bloke and did his job well. The play was all against the home side from then on and when a quick tap penalty and a try on the right put Cov to within 5 points, it was hoped the final whistle would not be too long coming. Eventually Olney secured possession on their own line to then kick the ball dead and leave the final score at 38-33.

Overall a decent result and 5 league points which should lift Olney up a place and nearer to the safety zone, although Coventrians could possibly consider themselves slightly unfortunate at the final score. No need for complacency though as there will be some stern tests to come before the end of the season.

In a new feature for the reports (should there be any more) we are including facts about legend Steve Howson that not many people are aware of. It’s a little known truth and one he’s not prone to boasting about but he was once a backing singer for Stevie Wonder when he toured the UK in the early 1980’s. Latest news from the Harris residence is that Mr Harris was offered a rescue greyhound last week. He wasn’t sure Mrs Harris would approve but said he would run it past her first.