1st Team
Matches
Sat 19 Oct 2019  ·  Midlands 1 East
Olney RFC
1st Team
12
64
Derby
19th October 2019 - Olney vs Derby

19th October 2019 - Olney vs Derby

James Fishwick24 Oct 2019 - 21:24
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https://www.olneyrfc.co.uk/tea

No local Derby...

Having played a local derby the previous week, Olney were playing against a Derby from a little further away on the occasion of the annual past player’s lunch. Derby is a side who came down from the league above but who hadn’t lost a match so far this season so the challenge was set. The coaches had made several changes from the previous week’s loss. Some tactical, some enforced but, as has been the case thus far in this league, Olney have tended to field a much changed team each week.

Derby set out their intent from the start and were soon within striking distance of the Olney line. A forward drive from a lineout saw the first score from the ensuing maul, converted making 0-7 after 5 minutes. This was followed 5 minutes later by a scrum to the left and a chip over the top for a wingers try in the corner. No conversion but 0-12. It seemed as if Olney were having to defend more than attack for long periods and any inroads the home side made into Derby territory were quickly cancelled out.

Soon Derby were on the attack again and from a scrum on the 22 a strong run to slip through two tackles and offload to good support resulted in a try under the posts, again converted. James Brock was replaced by Paulo Peschisolido and the Olney backs were then rearranged somewhat but the Derby side had no intention of letting that interrupt their flow and after the ball passed through the hands the reward was another try wide on the left. A further score came towards the end of the half when Derby won a lineout; the fly half fed the fullback who came through on a fine run to score close to the posts. Half time score 0-31.

Half time was an excuse for many of the supporters who hadn’t already done so to replenish their glasses and raise the noise level in support of the Olney lads who were now attacking towards the clubhouse end. Olney did have some promising attacks but again to no avail when resolute defence and a few errors allowed Derby to regain possession and work their way towards the Olney line once more. A rehearsed move at the front of a lineout gave Derby the first score of the half. Some missed tackles left space wide on the left for another try and several phases of play keeping the ball led to a trot in for their right winger. This took the sore to 0-50.

Olney have that ingrained attitude that they will keep playing despite the scoreline and a missed touch gave Stu Livesey the opportunity to open his legs and show his class as he out stripped the defence to score on the left. Two more Scores for Derby as they ran from deep to score under the posts probably put the game out of reach but Olney finished the game off well when a good move down the right involving Ollie Betteridge and Lloyd Sweeney released young winger Struan Brooks in space with a clear run in from 20 metres. Final score 64-12 to Derby

Despite the score the Olney boys need not feel disappointed, as they know there will still be games as the season progresses where points can be gained. The old boys had a good day out, had a fantastic meal, watched a good game of rugby, drank lots of beer, went home happy and if anyone mumbled into their beer saying “it was better in my day”……..It wasn’t!!

Photo : Jeff Bowden

Match details

Match date

Sat 19 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Midlands 1 East

League position

2
Derby
13
Olney
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

1XV Kit Sponsor - S R Osborn and Son Ltd Fencing
1st Team sponsor - DBF Construction