First home match of the year against our good friends from Oakham. A very sociable bunch who we’ve always got on well with both on and off the pitch. Oakham is the largest town in the smallest county of England, famous for its castle with the horseshoe traditions. Nearby is Rutland water with its nesting ospreys and nature reserves. Oakham is also the birthplace of Titus Oates, a priest of the 17th century who was famous for several reasons, some of which are not particularly fitting for a man of the cloth.

This week’s game was sponsored by club stalwart Stanners, a man outstanding in his own field, and Agrii who have something to do with farming.

On a cold winters afternoon Oakham took to the field with what appeared to be several changes from the side in the fixture earlier in the season. Perhaps they had done some recruiting but hopefully the result would be the same. From the kick off Olney were on the offensive and soon on the scoreboard after a chip over was well gathered by Phil Bowden who offloaded to Ewan Fuller for the opening try. Shortly after, good support saw Ethan Chambers on the end of the final pass to finish a fine passage of play. The game was not totally one sided but Olney seemed to have the upper hand and Chambers scampered over for his second after some neat handling following a lineout. Jacob DeMain added his name to the scorers after some hard running and interplay down the left flank. Three conversions from Fuller and the score was 26-0 with the bonus point secured. Oakham still came back though, and had a lot of pressure in the Olney 22 resulting in a lineout 5m from the left corner. The Olney defence cracked just enough to give the Oakham scrum half room to dart in for a deserved score. Despite more pressure from Oakham, no more points were added and half time arrived with the score at 26-5.

The sun wasn’t shining but Olney’s backs were and first to score was Harvey Dench on the left, snapping up a chance to run in from 25m. Phil Bowden, who had some fine runs in the first half but not crossed the line, then showed why he has scored several this season with the next three tries for the home side. One by sheer pace down the right wing, the second after supporting a break from deep by Fuller and the third by rounding the last man again to score under the posts, all converted by DeMain. This seemingly put the game out of reach for Oakham but as they always do they played hard to the end and this was not such an easy game as the score may suggest.

Chambers added to his tally late in the game after a quickly taken penalty 10m from the line. Final score ended up at 59 – 5. A good result and some fine individual performances all round. The backs scored the points but the forwards had more than a hand in many of the tries today so special mention to them as a collective. By the end both supporters and players were glad to retreat to a warm clubhouse as the chilly air got colder and the night got gloomier. Chris Duck was overheard to say that on days like these he would be warmer as a wing forward than a winger but didn’t think the forwards would want him in there! He’s probably right.

Earlier this month Mr Harris asked his one armed neighbour what he was up to later. He informed him he was going to change his bathroom taps. “How are you going to manage that with one arm?” said Mr Harris with a big grin on his face. “I don’t know what you’re laughing at you insensitive git. I’ve got the receipt and I think B & Q will have the ones I need in stock, so up yours!” came the reply.