Olney 2nd XV vs Kettering 2nd XV

In the week we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice we also remember the club is thriving below the first team and with a rest day in the league, this was a chance for the 2’s to shine on Doff’s field. Good to see a lot of support too. Kettering are a level 6 club so this would promise to be something of a challenge for Olney, but with strength in depth at the moment the hopes were high.

Kettering took to the field and the difference in size between the two squads was remarkable. Two of the Kettering players in particular were huge. One looked as if he could eat a whole sheep for breakfast and the other appeared to have already done so! Surely the aim would be to keep the ball moving and away from the big boys in the pack. This was, indeed how Olney started the game but initially some passes didn’t quite reach their target and things were a bit scrappy. Soon though, the backs found winger Noddy Deighton who was caught just on the line but managed to stretch out an arm to touch down for the first try.
The Kettering boys were bursting through a few tackles to gain inroads and when a penalty was kicked to the corner, the lineout catch and drive was somewhat inevitable for the score. Olney then had a bit more possession and did with it what they do best with Deighton again showing his pace and when stopped short, Ethan Chambers was on hand to receive the scoring pass. Chambers was again supporting well when Albiee Tayedzerwa made a telling break on the left wing, taking the ball to score close to the posts. Deighton added his second to the scoresheet when Mike Chapman spotted the flat defence and threaded a neat kick for him to gather and touch down close to the posts. The Deighton/ Chambers combination worked again before half time when Chambers was the recipient of the final pass to score his third. Chapman being successful with the boot for three of the tries meant the score at the break was 31-7 to Olney.

With what appeared to be a decent lead, Olney made a number of changes for the second half. Whether these changes upset the balance of the side a little or Kettering adopted a different game plan is a matter for debate but certainly Kettering had the better of this half from the outset. They were first to score from close range and some indifferent tackling allowed their backs enough room to score another, both of which were converted. Harvey Dench relieved some of the pressure when he cut in off the wing and aimed himself at the posts from long range for a fine try to extend the lead to 38-21 after the conversion. The rest of the half was spent keeping the Kettering forwards at bay. The forcefulness told when they managed to hack up field and won the chase to the touch down and scored another right on the final whistle when the bulk of the pack was the telling factor again. Olney survived the day though, and this was a good win for them in their own league including a bonus point. Final score 38-33.

Sticking with the theme of the week, it was noted that Mrs Harris mentioned to Mr Harris that it was the anniversary of when they first met all those years ago and how would he like to celebrate. His instant response was, “How about two minutes silence!”