On a day sponsored by our friends from the Olney Town Cricket Club we welcomed local rivals Wellingborough to Doff’s Field in the return fixture from earlier in the season. It’s safe to say that neither side has enjoyed the best of fortunes in this campaign but Olney were hoping to gain a win against the side whose only win so far was against them at their ground.

Olney started with the wind at their backs and soon showed their intent with ball in hand when Lemi Masoe broke through the defence with Stu Livesey on his left. Livesey gained ground and with the forwards in support, Christian Caswell found skipper Gareth Cahill on his shoulder who scored under the posts, converted by Ollie Betteridge.

Olney were looking the better side in these early stages but on occasions the decision making let them down when there were possibly other options available. Eventually though, it was Olney who were next to score when another run from Masoe was halted just short of the line but Betteridge was on hand to collect the ball from the resulting ruck to dot down for a try. The wind was a telling factor and not helpful for throwing in at the lineout (according to the hooker’s Mum), but Olney used the wind to their advantage to keep ‘Boro pinned in their own half. A penalty from 5 metres out was tapped quickly and Cahill was again on hand to dart over for his second try. Despite ‘Boro competing well in the set piece and having long spells of possession it was Olney who were once more adding to their tally when a fine move down the left flank was finished off when Livesey kicked ahead for Masoe to beat the retreating defenders in the race for the touchdown. This made the score 26-0 and Olney guaranteed of a bonus point. A charged down kick in the ‘Boro 22 gave their winger the chance to run the length for a fine try at the end of the half to put them on the scoreboard and the teams turned round at 26-5 to Olney.

A few changes to the side at half time due to injuries altered the balance somewhat and it took a little while to adjust but Olney were hoping to carry on with the open style of play that reaped rewards in the first half. This paid off when another quick tapped penalty found Livesey coming in off his wing on a line which caught the defence napping and touch down close to the posts. As expected though, Wellingborough were not going to give up without a fight and they were next to score when an attack was simply straightened and the direct running saw their fly half score under the posts. Soon after, Olney were back at the other end and Mike Chapman was adding his name to the scoresheet after a period of pressure on the ‘Boro line allowed him to pick up and dot down from close range. Betteridge increased his points haul shortly before the end when he found a gap and darted over from 10 metres. In the final moments though, Wellingborough scored a well deserved try when good support play gave the winger space to finish off the move. Final score 43-17 to Olney.

As the sides left the field, Olney looked more relieved than anything else to have scored only their second league win of the season and with a bonus point too. Wellingborough looked slightly dishevelled and possibly resigned to the fact they may not be in this league next season. Olney can now target some of the other sides above them and hopefully pick up more points as the season moves on.

Thanks again to the Cricket Club, thanks to the supporters who had something to smile about and well done to the players themselves for producing the win.