On a dreary afternoon, befitting a trip to Kettering, Olney 2nds made the trip across Northamptonshire for what was anticipated as a tough game ahead. Olney, once again hampered by playing a team with a full complement on the bench and with only 2 subs of their own, were a blend of youth and experience. Several Colts, not required for the cup match the following day, brought the temerity and pace of youth and all performed with great credit against an abrasive and streetwise Kettering team that came quickly out of the blocks after they kicked off to start the match.

The first score went on the board after only 4 minutes. Kettering’s kick off was cleared but the home side managed to strike back into the Olney 22. Eventually possession told and the Kettering backs broke through in midfield to score under the posts for a converted try. Olney were soon pinned back again after a penalty for a lineout infringement was drilled deep into their territory. They defended well however and won a penalty of their own to clear their lines. Another lineout infringement, this time by Kettering, enabled Olney to put pressure on the opposition for the first time. Unfortunately, the momentum faltered due to an injury to Matt Rawlinson who had to leave the pitch. It’s unclear whether the diagnosis “pain in the neck” referred to the injury or Matt himself!

Continual infringements by the home side in their own 22 allowed the Olney side to maintain pressure but after 3 more offside verdicts Olney, almost as mystifyingly as the referee keeping his yellow card in his pocket, opted for the first scrum of the game. Predictably the scrum was disrupted and Kettering hacked the ball through into the Olney 22 before being yet again penalised and Will Nicholls took the opportunity to take play up to halfway. This scenario then repeated itself several times – Kettering squandered good possession through indiscipline and Olney cleared into the opposition half. Olney were more than holding their own though with good defence and the forwards were running and tackling powerfully.

Confidence rose and from a lineout Olney ran the ball but a handling error out wide gave Kettering the scrum. They in turn ran the ball and the winger cut inside to score the 2nd try of the game once again converted. (14-0 with 20 minutes gone). From the restart Olney regained possession and Harry Gunner and Ben Grainger combined to drive forward into the Kettering 22 when once again the home side were penalised. A catch and drive from the resultant 5 metre line out was pulled down by a Kettering player and this time the referee lost patience and went to his pocket. Olney were camped on the Kettering line but frustrated by solid and aggressive defence and resorted to a kick into the corner which went long, resulting in a 22 drop out. O’s soon found themselves defending again as Kettering worked their way up field through a series of scrums. After 27 minutes, and another scrum, they hit up through midfield, sucking in the Olney defence and a deft kick saw the right winger catch and score in the corner for 19-0. A bit of “handbags” after the restart upped the ante and although Kettering maintained the bulk of possession Olney defended with aggression and passion. A big midfield tackle by Grainger turned the ball over and Nicholls was once again able to clear but Olney gave away a free kick at the resulting lineout and the pressure was back on. Eventually, after multiple phases that Olney successfully repelled, the Kettering forwards managed to drive over for their 4th try, converted, to give a half time score of 26-0 to Kettering. Although they deserved a lead the margin did not do the Olney side justice.

Just before half time Olney had been forced to make a change with injury ending Colt Ben Grey’s encouraging debut. Ash White moved from fullback to wing and prodigal son Ethan Chambers filled the fullback position.

From the Olney kick off Kettering ran the ball back but a knock on in the Olney 22 halted the attack. A good scrum and clearance kick took the game to half way. Olney won a scrum and great work from the forwards in the following ruck resulted in a penalty. This was taken quickly, giving the opportunity for Mac Ewing to jink over for Olney’s first points 5 minutes into the half. The conversion was missed but Olney had the bit between their teeth. A high tackle in midfield gave them another opportunity to attack. Kettering won a scrum from the lineout but the Olney forwards responded by disrupting the scrum and winning a penalty back. Olney continued to press but the Kettering defence held firm. Despite taking a scrum against the head and battering the try line Olney just could not get the score that their play deserved. When a 5 metre lineout went wrong Kettering were able to kick the ball through, deep into Olney territory, and the opportunity had gone. To make matters worse Ben Grainger was carded for a trip, but despite this Olney defended well and were easily able to clear their lines whenever required. This was possibly aided by Kettering deciding that kicking into Olney territory was the best way to exploit their one man advantage and a tit-for-tat kicking game was the outcome. Finally, however, the penny dropped and Kettering’s inside centre broke through after a scrum and put in the winger who came back in on the angle to finish off the move. The successful conversion made the score 33-5 with 15 minutes to go.

Kettering soon looked dangerous again and a good break inside by the right winger was only halted by a great tackle from Chambers which won a penalty for Olney. From a scrum on halfway Olney’s defence held firm until an offside penalty was conceded on the right flank. Stealing the lineout Olney managed to relieve the pressure only to give away another penalty on their 22 to find themselves back where they started. Once again the forwards worked hard to negate the Kettering catch and drive and elicited a knock on. However, this time it was the home side that took the heel against the head also winning a scrum penalty. Thinking they now had scrum advantage Kettering elected to take the scrum but in true fashion Olney managed to disrupt and loose ball in midfield was kicked downfield to relieve the pressure. With the game coming to a scrappy end Chambers made a break after the Olney forwards had once again stolen Kettering lineout ball. Quick hands in the Kettering 22 set up centre Elliot Byrne for a fine try and the final score of the game.

A 33-10 defeat for Olney but a performance of great character, effort and skill from all involved against a very canny and competent Kettering team. A closer result would probably have been fairer – but that’s sport!