This week’s guest reporter: Herbert Plugg

The great and the good and possibly the rich (as they could afford the fuel) travelled to Daventry for the last away fixture of the league campaign this season. With hopes of creeping a notch up the table with a bonus point win, there was all to play for against a side with who we have had some close encounters over the past few seasons. In the news this week one of our younger playing members was unfortunately mugged by a tattoo artist. Apparently he drew a gun on him.

On a sunny but chilly day, the sides ran on to a splendid looking pitch, Olney with their usual raft of changes and again featuring several young players who have moved up through the age groups. It was the larger Daventry pack who had the upper hand early on and put pressure on the Olney defence which eventually creaked for the first try to the home side. They were reduced to 14 though when a shoulder to the head of winger Joe German could or should have resulted in more than a yellow card. Mac Kitchener had to be replaced by Arthur Betteridge due to injury but he made his presence known in Olney’s first real attack when he took a neat inside pass from Ethan Chambers to dot down under the posts. Olney tried to run from deep but unfortunately the pass was intercepted and Daventry scored again wide on the left. The match was evenly contested and it came as no surprise when Olney narrowed the gap to one point when Rob Morgan took a short ball on the burst for Olney’s second of the day. A couple of handling errors led to Daventry pressing the line and finally the weight of the pack gave them their third of the afternoon. This, added to an earlier penalty made the half time score 18-12 to Daventry. A half sometimes marred by the gratuitous cheering for minor decisions in one side’s favour. Enough said.

In the second half Olney had the wind at their backs which would prove to be a significant factor, coupled with their fitness and expansive style they felt confident of securing the victory. This proved to be the case with some good early pressure in the 22 and Harry Dunning scoring from a forward drive. Another inroad into the red zone and another forward drive resulted in Ben Edwards emerging from a pile of bodies with the ball claiming the try and also the bonus point. The travelling younger contingent (nice to have the support) then joined the old folk in the stand as they thought it would be warmer….it wasn’t but the hot air and chat was welcome and amusing. This reporter was asked if he had ever used ChatGPT for the reports. The reply of WTF probably indicated not and he carried on using his quill. Olney extended their lead after some elusive running by Struan Brooks and with Ewan Fuller having a good afternoon with the boot the score now stood at 18-33 with Olney ahead. More changes to the playing personnel when Stanners was replaced by Callum Earl, recognisable by his bright red helmet, and Luca Proietti coming on for Ben Edwards. Daventry scored the final try of the afternoon following a kick return down the right flank to take the final score to 23-33.
A good afternoon’s work by the young Olney side who would, no doubt enjoy a few beers later and so they should. They could look at the video during the week and learn nothing as for the most part the camera was pointing just about anywhere but the pitch. Last league fixture at home on 11th of April so let’s have a big crowd to cheer the side on as the players really appreciate it.

In the things you may not know feature, a prominent member of the club who wished to remain nameless has revealed he was, in his younger days, a significant member of the wind section of the Bucks Philharmonic orchestra and said he could blow anything he could get his hands on. Regrettably he had to leave when his piccolo became stuck in A-Minor. Finally we heard that John Nicholls is back with us since shooting himself multiple times with a staple gun at his part time job with a local upholsterers. They said he’s fully recovered.