First Half:
A hesitant sun fought through the clouds over the 4G surface, but while the weather couldn’t make up its mind, Olney certainly had. The warm-up was loud, sharp and full of intent, a clear sign that they were here to make a statement against a Harpenden side unbeaten all season.

From the opening kick-off, Olney showed their game plan: fast tempo, physical dominance and immediate pressure. Dylan French carried strongly from the first reception and a clean secondary ruck from Donny MacManus provided Beau Stenson with a platform to clear. Harpenden were caught offside, and Stenson drilled a kick to halfway. From the resulting lineout, a clean take and rapid delivery from scrum-half Alex Bickers sent powerful carrier Charlie Constantine hammering over the gain line. Olney were moving at real pace, and when Owain Harries pulled back a pass to Stenson, Harpenden’s defence was already scrambling.

Ronan Perkins burst through three tacklers and offloaded brilliantly to Constantine. Moments later, Stenson sent up a high ball which was regathered by Joe Grainger, but Olney were penalised at the ruck. Five minutes in, warning signs were already flashing for Harpenden, who had barely had meaningful possession.

From their lineout, Harpenden cleared, but spilled the next kick return under pressure, giving Olney a scrum 27 metres out. Splitting the field, Constantine found Grainger on the right, who was dragged down inches short. Multiple carries followed, and eventually Connor Wright muscled over for the opener. Stenson converted. Harpenden 0 – 7 Olney.

The restart found Bickers, who sent Constantine hurtling into the defence again. Lewis Gardener carried powerfully, but Olney were controversially turned over, and Harpenden opted for a penalty shot, which they missed. The ball dropped into the grateful arms of Maxton Hubbard, who launched a thunderous clearance deep into Harpenden territory, earning Olney an attacking lineout.

With the set piece operating smoothly, Charlie Down smashed through the midfield. Olney shifted play to the blindside, where Hubbard found Perkins, who offloaded to Ade Adebayo. Adebayo bulldozed through four defenders before play was brought back for a penalty. Olney turned up the pressure, but a misread in midfield caused a knock-on.

Harpenden, however, were struggling massively at scrum time. The front row of Will Light, MacManus and Ollie Surley were dominant, marching through their opposite numbers repeatedly. Harpenden’s clearing kicks were hurried and inaccurate, while Olney’s defence hammered carriers backwards, Stenson and Perkins combining for a huge double tackle.

A flowing attack saw French offload to Adebayo, who finished in the corner, only for the referee to deny the score, judging the ball to have gone forward. Shortly after, Stenson attempted a speculative drop-goal from halfway, which he will no doubt choose to forget!

Olney continued to squeeze Harpenden in every department. A superb offload chain featuring Hubbard, French and Adebayo led to another line break, and soon after Wright scored again following powerful phase play. Harpenden 0 – 12 Olney.

Straight from the restart, Wright collected the ball, stormed up field and was taken high, earning a yellow card for the Harpenden defender. From the resulting attack, Down was injured after a strong carry, forcing an early substitution.

Olney reloaded through a scrum and stacked numbers on the left. Bickers executed perfectly, switching play to send Grainger diving over in the corner. Harpenden 0 – 17 Olney.

Harpenden tried to relieve pressure, but were repeatedly stopped by Olney’s defensive line, who were now battering the opposition backwards. Perkins and Surley carried ferociously, and eventually Surley capped off a barnstorming sequence by crashing through four defenders to score under the posts. Harpenden 0 – 24 Olney (Stenson converting).

Second Half:
The second half started in bizarre fashion as Harpenden kicked off with 16 players on the pitch – and still won a penalty. Order was restored, and Olney regained possession through a Harpenden lineout error, leading to a scrum on halfway. Replacement scrum-half Cam Garvey sparked tempo immediately, and Fitzgerald attacked the midfield with Stenson kicking deep once more.

From a quickly taken lineout, Perkins set the platform and Constantine smashed forward before the ball went out the back to Harry Leach. Stenson then carried brilliantly, making 30 metres. After a series of short carries from Barstow, Brock, Wright and Leach, Louie Brock powered over under the posts. Harpenden 0 – 31 Olney (Stenson converting).

Harpenden’s right winger, who had been quiet in the first half, finally showed some pace with two threatening breaks, but Olney’s defence absorbed the pressure and countered. Stenson pinned Harpenden back with another superb kick, and soon after Hubbard produced a moment of individual excellence. Spotting space, he chipped ahead, regathered and handed off defenders to score a magnificent solo try. Harpenden 0 – 36 Olney.

Wright continued to disrupt Harpenden’s possession, stealing multiple turnovers and dominating the breakdown as Olney’s scrum marched the opposition backwards again. Another attacking platform on Harpenden’s 5-metre line saw Olney go to strike mode and Harries hit a perfect arcing line to score under the posts. Harpenden 0 – 43 Olney.

Perkins and Adebayo then carried brutally again, with Olney piling pressure on Harpenden. The home side attempted late counterattacks, and their winger again threatened to break away, but handling errors stopped him short. Eventually, Harpenden finally found a consolation try late on, helped by some charitable refereeing – but the day unquestionably belonged to Olney.

Full Time: Harpenden RFC Colts 7 – 43 Olney RFC Colts

Post-Match Reaction
Coach Chris Duck:
“The boys came out with real intent. We dominated collisions from the first minute and that gave us total control. Harpenden are a well-drilled team, but our physicality and tempo were just too much today. The pack set the tone – powerful carries, dominant lineout, real presence. Connor Wright was immense with two tries and huge defensive work. Ronan, Lewis, Ollie and Louie all brought serious physicality. The backs showed real class too. Maxton put Joe Grainger away brilliantly and his chip-and-chase was a moment of magic. Owain’s strike move finish was outstanding. We now have Gordano in the last 16 – and no, it isn’t an Italian cheese. They’re a strong side, but if we hit this level again, we’ll be in great shape.”

Vice-Captain Ronan Perkins:
“Everyone knew from the warm-up that the boys were up for it. A very physical and dominant performance from the whole squad.”

Man of the Match:
Connor Wright – Outstanding in every department: tackling, carrying, set-piece work and turnovers. A complete, indefatigable performance. ???

Pics here - https://www.olneyrfc.co.uk/photos/2526--ncc-r3--harpenden-a-1158973.html

Round 4 is on Sunday, January 18th v Gordano (H) ko tbc