Olney made the trip to friends and rivals Market Harborough full of hope after a very close game at home earlier in the season. On a day when again, many fixtures in the Midlands had fallen victim to the conditions, credit goes to those who made the effort to get this game on. A travelling band of supporters were ready to brave the elements even though the hooker’s mum was worried about the wind. She was reassured that if it became a problem she could always stand away from everyone else.

With some watery patches on the pitch, Olney won the toss and chose the shallow end but the increasing breeze blowing directly across the pitch was helping neither side. As has been the case for most matches this season Olney were up against a heavier pack so running the ball would prove to be the better option. This seemed to be paying off and brought the rewards of penalty attempts at goal with the home side infringing at the breakdown. Unfortunately the conditions were not totally suited to kicking and the two shots drifted just wide.

Market Harborough were first to put points on the board soon after when a move down the right flank gave their winger enough space to round the defence to dot down under the posts. The conversion struck the underside of the bar but Harborough were 5-0 up. Not long after this Olney were guilty of allowing a turnover at the ruck and the scrum half ran from his own 10m line for the second try, this time converted. Olney were still having good spells of possession and a well worked set of drives by the forwards was unlucky not to be finished off when the ball was knocked forward over the line. Harborough worked their way back up the park and when a kick to the corner set up the lineout, their forwards had the upper hand giving the No8 the chance to rumble over for the third try. Olney were still playing the handling game but just running short of space or being forced laterally by the Harborough defence.

Half time, and Olney replaced the injured George Stanton with a lean looking Jim Osborn who indicated he would add pace to the attack. Despite the pack retreating at times they stuck to the task and Gareth Cahill was having a fine game picking up at the base on several occasions to rescue the situation. He’s had enough practice this season so he should be good at it by now! This set the backs going more forward than sideways with Lemi Masoe gaining good ground in the centre leading eventually to a series of pick and drives close to the line and a try for Osborne. The kick was charged down but Olney had important points. Olney again crossed for what they thought was a score wide on the left but were called back when a footprint on the line was evidence of being in touch before the ball was grounded. Olney then added the replacements of Charlie Harris and Ollie Betteridge to bring on some fresh legs and continued to have a considerable amount of possession. They were unfortunate again when Masoe was held up over the line after some sustained pressure in the 22. From the resulting scrum though, Betteridge ran a good line to burst between the centres for Olney’s second of the day which this time was converted taking the score to 17-12. Masoe had to leave the field with a knee injury which hopefully isn’t too serious and will be back soon.

The considerably chilly wind by this stage had changed direction and despite Olney attacking well, Harborough had the right tactic in clearing the ball to the corner with the wind behind them and relieving any threat. This was how the pattern of the game would be played out to the final whistle and no further scores saw the home side victors at 17-12.

In what seems to be a recurring theme so far this season Olney were almost there but just came off second best on the day. Despite this, heads have not dropped, there’s always next week and life goes on. The players will still smile afterwards, someone will usually forget his trousers then blame it on someone else and the hooker’s mum will still worry about her little boy and where he leaves his kit bag. Long live the amateur game.