Olney entertained Peterborough on a day when many games wold have been called off due to the wet conditions, so credit to those who were out in the morning to ensure the match went ahead. Peterborough arrived early with two teams, a coachload of supporters of various shapes and sizes and hopes of a win in this return fixture as they were victors earlier in the season at home. Olney had again made several changes to their side and also thought this was a game in which they had a very good chance of picking up a win.

The early stages of the game saw both sides testing each other out with some probing attacks and drives from both packs but Olney seemed the better of the sides when the backs were running direct with ball in hand. It came as no surprise when the ball went wide for winger Aaqil Attah, who ran from halfway only to be stopped 5 metres short but Marcus Goss followed up well and was on hand to collect the short pass and dot down for the try. The sides were still fairly evenly matched though, and Boro’ worked their way up the park again where they were awarded a penalty 15 metres into Olney territory. A quick tap caught Olney not retreating and the extra 10 metres allowed the shot at goal to narrow the scores. Shortly after this Boro’ were reduced to 14 men for a misdemeanour but they were in the right place at the right time to score from an interception as Olney were trying to run the ball from deep. The home side continued to attack the Boro’ line for sustained periods but for one reason or another chances went begging and they failed to score when the amount of pressure surely indicated that they would. Peterborough did get on the attack late in the half and their winger evaded a few tackles on the left flank to run in under the posts from 40 metres. A missed Boro’ penalty on half time saw the half time score 5-17.

The second half seemed to be played in the dark as the gloom set in and the rain clouds gathered again. Olney were soon on the offensive but needed to turn pressure into points. One or two long passes went astray, a couple of handling errors and stiff defence meant the wingers had little space to work in but Olney stuck at it and were rewarded when the ball went through the backs and Struan Brooks hit the line at pace to score left of the posts taking the scores to 10-17. Some good tactical kicks kept Boro’ pinned in their 22 and when another indiscretion saw them reduced to 14 men again it seemed as if Olney would close the scores further. However this was not to be and when Boro’ were back to full strength they came back up field to be awarded a penalty 22 metres out to extend their lead and Olney needing two scores. This was the last significant piece of action and Olney could only hang on as Boro’ kept possession from the kick off and cleared to touch to end the game victorious at 20 points to 10.

A frustrating day from an Olney point of view for players and supporters alike. Despite the wet conditions, this was a game which Olney were targeting as a win and probably should have been. The break for Christmas will be welcome and give time to regroup in the New Year with fresh legs and renewed vigour for the second half of the season. Rest assured the support will still be there and commitment from players will bring its rewards.