After a weekend of battling rain and weather uncertainty, Olney RFC Colts worked tirelessly to ensure the fixture went ahead, fully appreciative of Newton Abbot’s long journey from Devon. Thanks to the combined efforts of club officials and a slight easing of the weather, the game was given the green light, though played on Doffs 2 rather than the main pitch.

Despite a depleted squad carrying numerous injuries and missing players due to Saints commitments the previous day, there was a genuine buzz in the changing room. This Colts group continues to demonstrate an impressive resilience and togetherness, with a never-say-die attitude that has become a hallmark of their season.

First Half
Olney exploded out of the blocks. Captain Beau Stenson got proceedings underway with a deep kick into the Newton Abbot half. The ball wasn’t taken cleanly and was hacked back, allowing Maxton Hubbard to gather and find Stenson, who cleverly stabbed the ball into the opposite corner. Ade Adebayo’s relentless chase forced Newton Abbot into panic, and under pressure they carried the ball over their own try line. 5m scrum to Olney.
The Olney pack immediately asserted dominance. Charlie Constantine picked and drove hard, only being stopped a few metres short. After four strong, quick phases, driven by Lewis Gardener and Donny MacManus with excellent clear-outs, scrum-half Alex Bickers whipped the ball to Louie Brock, who was unstoppable from close range.
Olney 7 – 0 Newton Abbot (Stenson converted).

From the restart, Hubbard fielded well before a bizarre accidental offside handed Newton Abbot a penalty. They opted for goal but missed, and Olney countered sharply through Joe Grainger, exploiting slow retreating forwards to reach halfway. A knock-on halted momentum, but Olney’s defence was immediately back on the front foot, producing a ferocious press that forced another error.
From the resulting scrum, Stenson spotted disarray in the Abbot backfield and executed an outstanding 50/22, flipping the pressure instantly. The line-out was set early, Constantine thundered onto the ball, and sustained pressure followed with heavy carries from Harrison Barstow and Jack Sivills.
The ball was worked width-to-width, and after slick handling involving Owain Harries and Hubbard, Grainger was released on the right wing and finished clinically.
Olney 12 – 0.

Olney were rampant. Constantine produced a monstrous 60m carry straight up the middle, swatting defenders aside. Moments later, a sublime tip-on from Oli Surley allowed Stenson to break the line before Harries and Hubbard combined to send Ade Adebayo over.
Olney 17 – 0.

From the restart, another Olney knock-on briefly gave Newton Abbot a foothold, but they kicked possession straight back to Olney’s dangerous back three. Hubbard stepped, offloaded, and released Grainger on the left. Once he hit the afterburners there was no stopping him.
Olney 24 – 0 (Stenson converted).

Shell-shocked at 24 – 0 after just 13 minutes, Newton Abbot regrouped and enjoyed their best spell of the half through clever blindside play. They earned a penalty and kicked to the 5m line but overthrew at the line-out, handing Olney relief. Despite a contentious penalty against Harries moments later, Olney’s defence stood firm, Harries responding with a bone-rattling tackle that forced a knock-on.
Olney then struck again. Strong carries from Harries and Brock moved play up field before Hubbard found space and pinned Abbot back inside their 22. Spotting narrowing defenders, Olney shifted wide for Adebayo to stroll in for his second.
Olney 31 – 0 (Stenson converted).

Jacob Reed impressed from the restart, and debutant, Noah Hendry, carried well before Olney forced a turnover with trademark defensive grit. Stenson cleared and chased, making the tackle himself, before Will Light and the forwards laid the platform. Quick hands through Harries and Hubbard again sent Adebayo over for his hat-trick.
Olney 36–0 at half-time.

Second Half
Newton Abbot began the second half with renewed purpose, pinning Olney inside their own 22. However, Olney’s defence, led by Alfie Mutuma, Reed, Sivills and Gardener was outstanding, chopping carriers early and winning a crucial turnover through Bickers.
Stenson’s clearance relieved pressure, and Olney countered fluently. Fasanya, Stenson, Dylan French and Hendry combined before Constantine once again smashed through defenders. The ball was moved quickly to the right, and Adebayo completed his fourth try of the afternoon.
Olney 41 – 0.

Errors briefly crept into Olney’s game, allowing Newton Abbot territory and a well-worked 50/22. However, lacking penetration, Abbot knocked on under pressure, and Olney struck again through powerful midfield carries from Sammy Inman and Hendry. Stenson then released Grainger, who finished with inevitability.
Olney 46 – 0.

Grainger was shown a yellow card following an altercation after the try, giving Newton Abbot a numerical advantage. They used it well, building sustained pressure through a strong maul and repeated phases. Advantage was eventually awarded, and Abbot opted to take the points. Their scrum-half calmly slotted the kick, a moment warmly celebrated by players and travelling supporters after a tough afternoon.
Olney 46 – 3 Newton Abbott.

From the restart, Olney went straight back on the attack. Relentless carries from Barstow, Constantine, Gardener, Light and Mutuma drew defenders in before Gardener produced a beautiful offload to Hubbard, who finally got his reward.
Olney 53–3 (Stenson converted).

With nothing left but pride to play for, Newton Abbot continued to fight, but Olney’s defensive intensity never dropped. Barstow claimed a turnover, Gardener delivered another thunderous hit, and after a late yellow card for Abbot following a tip tackle, Olney kicked to the corner.
A final flourish followed, Stenson stepping through defenders once more before releasing Hubbard and then Grainger, who finished emphatically in the corner.
Olney 60–3 (Stenson converted).

Moments later, the referee blew for full time.

Post-Match Reaction
Beau Stenson – Captain
“Another special day for the playing group and club, the lads were up for it from the off and again the opposition struggled to live with our intensity. A big thanks goes to all the coaches and club management this week for helping us get the game on. I know the lad and the coaches won’t be 100% happy with that and we’ve still got plenty to work on but also loads of positives to take forward.”

Ben Brock – Colts Forwards Coach
“With a changed squad it was great to see players step up and put in big shifts. Defence was outstanding big shots and strong line speed gave Newton Abbot very little go-forward.
Our set piece was strong, and the back line made full use of front-foot ball. Discipline and game management are always work-ons, but overall, a very pleasing performance.”

Man of the Match - Charlie Constantine
A monumental display in carrying, defence and link play. Exactly what was needed on the day, and he delivered in emphatic fashion. BOOM.

So, through to the Semi-Final - we go again on the 29th March against Dorking RFC Colts...who's up for a bus trip!?

Pics here: Thanks to Jeff Bowden, Harvey Dench and James Fishwick

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