Whilst their illustrious clubmates were eking out a much needed win on Doffs 1, on the adjacent pitch Olney Raggamuffins, or 2nd XV, or A” XV were shuffling the deck to fit square pegs into round holes to take on Bedford Athletic. Skipper Daniel Rawlings, not for the first time this season, swapped the comfort of the number 2 shirt for the scrum-half berth, abrasive lock cum back rower Charlie Harris at last made it to the number one spot and marauding forward Callum Earl found himself in the wilderness of the wing three quarter position, to name but three. This team may have personnel that shifts more than the sands of Brean, but they are nothing if not resourceful. At least it was good to see Dan Frossell again pull on an Olney shirt after a hiatus of several seasons. He’s still a young man but was the veteran of a backline overflowing with Colts players eager to test themselves at senior level and to experience the sporting truth that hits everyone eventually – you can’t always win, but you can still enjoy.

With a pre-Christmas mauling on the 4G in Bedford still in the mind Olney started the game quite apprehensively, keeping the play narrow and the tempo sluggish. The visitors with their bulky forwards were quite content to follow suit and both sides tested each other out in the close quarter exchanges with space being at a premium as the game played out in the no man’s land of midfield. It was the visitors who eventually initiated some flair into the game when after a quarter of an hour of trench warfare they moved the ball wider and broke through to score under the posts for a converted try. This gave the Ath the impetus to play a more expansive game once their forwards had secured them good ball. After a scrum on the Olney 10 metre line the ball was again moved quickly through the hands for their right winger to score a great try in the corner after 20 minutes. No conversion this time and although Olney were still competing well discipline started to slip. A penalty, given when the referee disapproved of some kindly advice offered by Luca Proietti, resulted in an attacking lineout for Ath in the Olney 22. The forwards went through the phases, sucking in the Olney defence, before releasing the back division to score on the right. Another missed conversion but the visitors now had the bit between their teeth. Despite some big tackles from the likes of Frossell, the ever-consistent Huw Thomson and Josh Knight, Olney were struggling to up their intensity to that of their opponents, the upshot being that 2 more tries were conceded before the interval. Firstly a successful drive from a lineout, gained after a 50-22 clearance by the Ath 10, and then more forward power close to the line giving a half time score of 27-0 to the visitors.

The consensus was that Olney had not really done themselves justice in the first half. Although they had competed well at the breakdown and tackled well as a team, they had been too slow in thought and deed. The backs had shown good handling ability when they got the ball but had never had any real space to work in. Phlegmatic coach Oli Francis calmly pointed this out to the team during the break and his words of paternal encouragement seemed to do the trick. Olney started the second half playing with increased urgency and intensity. Moving the ball quickly at every opportunity the home side created running space for their backline who were only repelled on several occasions by strong Ath defence. Eventually though Olney got the try they deserved. A great kick from Will Nicholls, who was managing the game with increased maturity, gave Olney a 50-22 lineout. A catch and drive saw Luca Proietti, now putting his efforts into playing rather than refereeing the game, come up with the ball when the melee on the line broke up. Nicholls converted successfully, and with their confidence now high, Olney continued to press the Ath defence from the restart. They defended well however and even with a little possession were dangerous in attack. One such opportunity after 65 minutes resulted in a lightening switch from defence to attack. With Olney a little slow to regroup after losing possession, Ath opened up the midfield with quick hands resulting in a simple run-in and a converted try against the run of play. Undeterred Olney continued with their game plan, playing at pace at all times. The forwards, with the livewire Sam Watt and the normally languid Matt Jolly to the fore, were getting amongst the opposition and winning penalties. This was much to the delight of veteran prop and closet “wrong un” Phil Berry who was desperate to take every penalty almost before it was awarded! A lovely kick through from Nicholls after sustained Olney pressure was picked up on the run by Callum Earl who cantered in for a super score which Nicholls then converted with a great touchline kick. As the game entered the final minutes and with the score now a creditable 31-14 Olney were hit by 2 killer blows. Firstly, after a foray into Olney territory, Ath won a scrum and were able to get their forwards into gear. From the subsequent ruck they drove over for an unconverted try. Then the real sucker punch – with Olney pushing hard for the final score and playing with gay abandon (which is also Matt Rawlinson’s drag artiste name, apparently) the ball was spilled and picked up by a grateful Ath speedster who went the length of the field for a final score of Olney 14 points Bedford Ath 44 points.

A really good second half performance from Olney in a game that could have easily gone away from them after a workmanlike but ultimately lethargic first half effort. And so to the changing room where Charlie Harris, charged with drinking an infamous 2nd XV cocktail for some misdemeanour during the afternoon, muttered the immortal words “it’s not even liquid” and Luca proudly announced that the retro shirt he would be wearing in the bar was in fact Adam King’s Olney Under 14s shirt. The last time he wore a rugby shirt in anger allegedly!

A few pics here