Olney Ladies v Bletchley Ladies was the only match to be played by the club this Saturday. Due to the adverse weather conditions the game was played on Doffs 3 as the only pitch playable but both sides entertained those who took the time to trek over “riverside” with a match that showcased Women’s Rugby at community level.

A seesaw game went to the very final play with the visitors snatching victory when Olney had seemingly done just enough to secure the spoils. Two evenly matched sides went hammer and tongs throughout, the visitors relying on pace out wide and the Pink Ladies on power and support play well marshalled by half backs Charlie Smeraglia and Amanda Kinder. Olney started the game off strongly and soon put pressure on the Bletchley defence which stood firm despite good carrying from the Olney forwards. Eventually Olney created enough space for centre Lily Gavin to squeeze over under the posts for the first score which she also converted for a 7-0 lead. It was then the Bletchley turn to test the Olney defence as they swept upfield in response. Olney defended womanfully and the visitors had to work hard to create space out wide but eventually they did so to score in the corner for 7-5. The competitive nature of the game continued with rucks being fiercely contested and midfield defence holding firm on both sides. Unfortunately Olney lost second row Grace Wingerath to a shoulder injury and had to re-organise but the forwards gradually made inroads with some robust carries from Kayleigh Beare and Ellie Hiscock, aided by tireless ruck work from Jen Micklewright. Gavin was again the grateful exponent of the space created and crossed over for her second score which she again converted to give Olney a 9 point lead. Once again Bletchley burst into life as half time approached, breaking through with pace to test the Olney defence. Fullback Scarlett Donne, as ever, proved a resolute last line of defence and despite Eva Short being on hand to support Bletchley worked the space well to score a converted try for a half time score of 14-12 in Olney’s favour.

In such a competitive game the fact that Bletchley had a full bench to call on for fresh legs and Olney had none appeared to give the visitors an advantage in the latter stages of the match. Olney knew they had to strike early and did so with the forwards taking the bull by the horns and after good build up work from Jade Mobbs and Stacey Mason, Beare claimed the score crossing the line with 3 would be tacklers trying to bring her down. Once again Gavin converted to give Olney breathing space but once more Bletchley struck back quickly. After Olney were penalised at ruck time they worked the ball to their pacey left winger to reduce the deficit to 4 points at 21-17. By this time Olney were able to get their own “flyer” Amma Obeng more into the game. Good work in midfield by “Jolly” Whitaker and Lauren Holt burst a hole in the Bletchley defence and with good handling through the backline the ball was moved to Obeng. With lots still to do she burst through the cover and touched down by the corner flag. Almost from the restart she went on another powerful run that would have given the Pink Ladies a distinct advantage but a brilliant last-ditch tackle kept her out. As the players started to tire Bletchley were able to make ground from much deeper positions and quickly turn defence into attack. They scored 2 quick tries as Olney struggled to combat their fresh legs and pace out wide and from being 26-17 down the visitors went into the last 10 minutes with a 3 point lead at 29-26 and all the momentum. Olney were not down and out, however, and mounted a serious assault on the Bletchley line. With several pick and goes repelled it was Jen Micklewright who finally got the required leg drive to get the score to regain the lead 31-29 with minutes to go. The final throes of the match epitomised the manic nature of the game - Olney were penalised from the restart and Bletchley went hard for the line from the quick tap. Olney defended stoutly and when Lianne Manley O’Reilly, who had been outstanding in defence all day, stole the ball, it looked like Olney would survive. They couldn’t, however, get the ball off the pitch, it ran loose, a Bletchley player picked it up and got over the line with the final play.

A heartbreaking 34-31 defeat for the Pink Ladies but in sport performance is king and the side put in a royal effort in a fine match played in a great spirit.