First team abck to winning ways at S&L

Stewarts & Lloyds vs. Olney 09.03.2019. Midlands 2 East (South).
Olney travelled to Corby on Saturday, intent on turning their fortunes around following last week’s defeat at home. They kicked off with a strong wind behind them and the slope in their favour. They spent the most of the first fifteen minutes camped within the S&L ‘22’. The home side defended well their only relief coming from a penalty against Olney that they put into touch, between their ten and ‘22’. Olney were first to achieve points working the ball from a scrum, through their backline, for Harry James to touch down in the corner. Jordan Letts judged the wind well to make a fine conversion from the touchline. S&L 0, Olney 7. (15 mins.).
S&L kicked off to restart and the ball was returned, but taken by the wind, over the dead ball line. The ‘22’drop out gave the home side a line out that they won to venture into Olney territory. A penalty for ‘offside’ against the visitors was put into touch for a lineout on Olney’s ‘22’. The ball was passed out to the home backs but some poor handling was pounced on by Stu Livesey, who claimed the ball and took play back into the home ‘22’. S&L were penalised and Olney kicked for goal. This time the wind was unfavourable and took the ball wide resulting in a ‘22’ drop out for S&L.
A ruck in the home half resulted in a penalty for the visitors and they ran the ball. The forwards made ground and fed out to their backline. Letts received and found space to break through for a try, not converted. Increasing the visitor’s lead to S&L 0, Olney 12. (30 mins.).
S&L kicked off, Olney counter attacked. Olney were penalised, over anxious and offside. They made good use of this rare opportunity and put the ball into touch inside the visitor’s ‘22’. S&L won the ball at the lineout and fed their backline. Olney defended the move and gained possession, sending the ball out to James on the wing. At the breakdown Olney were penalised and the home side kicked for touch, gaining another lineout inside the visitor’s half. Olney pinched the ball and fed their backline. This time the backs succeeded in sending the ball to James who completed the move with a try in the corner, not converted. S&L 0, Olney 17. (38 mins.).
The referee announced his intention to cut out the ‘backchat’ By despatching Olney’s ‘10’, Letts, and S&L’s, ‘9’, Kieran Manson (played for Olney last season!), to the sin bin. This was close to half time and there was no further change to the score.
HALF TIME SCORE: STEWARTS & LLOYDS 0, OLNEY 17.

S&L kicked off for the second half, with the elements and the slope now in their favour. Olney found themselves on the back foot and compelled to play the defending game. They were relieved when a series of penalties were all against the home side. Olney were soaking up the pressure with some good close defending particularly in the forwards. They made a change to the front row Jake Ashton replacing Graham Smith. They were able to keep a clean sheet until, just short of 30 mins. when S&L posted their first score. The forwards made an attack down their left flank and just squeezed in for a try in the corner. An excellent kick added the conversion. S&L 7, Olney 17. (28 mins.).
Olney made another change in the forwards with a welcome return for Mungo Ryan, following injury, replacing the ever-green John Robinson.
In an attempt to make a breakthrough there followed a convoluted exchange of players for Olney, Jake Ashton received a “yellow card”, Will Edwards replaced Jordan Letts, followed rapidly by Letts going on for Smudge Smith, and Ashton, when he had served his time, replacing David Rainbow. The disruption may well have resulted in the visitor’s taking their eye off the ball. S&L managed to score a second try, no conversion, S&L 12, Olney 17. (38 mins.).
Olney mounted a final attack, following the restart and took play to within 5m. of the home goal line they were awarded a penalty. With a bonus point try in mind they opted for a scrum. Despite a big effort they failed to achieve the desired result and had to be satisfied with a win.
FULL TIME SCORE: S&L 12, Olney 17.

TEAM: Graham Smith, Jim Osborn, David Rainbow, Charlie Harris, Mark Austin, John Robinson, Glen White Gareth Carhill (capt.)
Lewis Foster, Jordan Letts, Harry James, Stu Livesey, Dave Smith, Sean Mulvey
SUBS: Jake Ashton, Mungo Ryan, Will Edwards

TEAM SPONSORS: S.R.OSBORN & SON LTD. DBF CONSTRUCTION