This week’s guest reporter: Rudolph Hucker

A warm welcome to the Ath who visited Doff’s for what we thought was the first time in a league fixture as they have been at a higher level for several seasons and will no doubt be looking to be at or near the top when the last match has been played this time round. Olney would do their best to spoil their fun for the afternoon. In the news this week we heard that our favourite single man has decided to have a change of furniture at home so bought some from IKEA’s suppository range. Apparently you take it home and put it up yourself.

With everything going on in this seemingly ever unpredictable world it was a pleasure to have a sense of normality on a sunny afternoon watching two local clubs out to enjoy themselves in front of a good crowd of supporters. Nice to see some familiar faces coming back to Olney too, where they have connections from the past. With Olney fielding several of their younger contingent it was evident that Ath had a significant size and weight advantage in both forwards and backs, but we have seen this most of the season so nothing to worry about. Having said this, it was Ath who started off strongest and when a mistake by Olney was picked up by the visitors on their own 22, a break down the middle resulted in the first try. Some forceful running led to their second try shortly after and with the score at 0-14 things looked ominous. However, a kick return from Max Hubbard then linking with Ewan Fuller and Mac Kitchener down the right flank saw Kitchener round the defence for a fine try. Power and pace told when Ath scored their third of the afternoon which meant Olney had to make the most of their chances which they did so when, after a period of sustained pressure, Ethan Chambers narrowed the scoreline to 12-21. Hubbard, having a fine game at full-back, started a move which saw the ball pass through several pairs of hands and Ben Edwards finally diving over to take the score to 19-21, which was the score at the half time break.

Things may be a bit sketchy and brief with the second half report as this reporter had trouble avoiding a well known sophomaniac (look it up) and had to see the game from a different area of the touchline. Early in the half Ath were on the attack and strength told to give them their fourth try and a bonus point for the afternoon. Things must have been worrying for Ath (or playing sensibly) as the next time they had the chance, a penalty kick for goal extended their lead to 19-31. From the restart Arthur Betteridge avoided every tackler he came across for a fine individual try under the posts. Ath continued with their goal kicking strategy and took the score to 26-34 but didn’t reckon on Mac Kitchener flying in at the corner following a backs move from first phase which caught them a bit flat footed for a try to close the gap. Unfortunately, towards the end of the game, Olney gave away a penalty at the scrum and Ath were powerful enough to drive over and seal the victory. Final score 31-41 in favour of Ath.

A good game to watch played in the right spirit and, apart from the final score from Olney’s point of view, some fine individual performances from a young side who gave their all. As has been said before, the future looks bright. Hopefully they can take us to the next level if they stick around.

In the things you may not know feature……..very early in his career, soon after leaving university, local cheerful chappie Matthew “Basher” Rawlings used to supplement his income by touring the northern clubs as a drag act going by the name of Ella VaPair. Also we heard that the younger of the Harris offspring was spotted earlier in the week standing on one leg at the cashpoint on the High Street. When questioned why he stated that he was checking his balance.

few of the pics here - https://www.olneyrfc.co.uk/photos/20260321--1st-xv-v-bedford-ath-h-1168939.html