Olney Girls Pipped at the Post

Olney received a late invitation to play in the inaugural weekend of Bedford’s new artificial pitch (not allowed to wear trainers, who knew!). The squad was Jess, Molly, Eva, Mimi, Hollie, Hattie, Lottie, Ella, Charlie, Bethany and new player Ama.
The opposition were a combined team with three girls from Biggleswade, all of whom showed why they had continued playing rugby with lots of skill. Olney took an early lead and were 3 tries up after 5 minutes, good quality rucking from the forwards (Molly, Ella, Lottie and Charlie) producing quick ball and enabling Jess to put in storming runs to score. Eva and Mimi also combined well, with Eva then being forced off due to an arm injury. This gave Bedford a numerical advantage and they began to come back into the game. Some great defence from the backs, including Hollie and Bethany, kept the score down. Olney were also denied a handful of tries due to an unusual reintroduction of touch rugby as Bedford had an overage and underage girl playing. Eva in particular, on her return from injury, was denied after a couple of great breaks. Ama, in her first game, made some excellent line breaks.
Just as Olney had come back, Jess was forced to go off due to a pre-existing netball injury. I’ve said many times, this is what comes from allowing girls to play rough games like netball rather than sophisticated rugby.
Jess returned for the second half but was forced off permanently after 5 minutes, having played a captain’s match. Olney continued to chip away, but being a girl down for two thirds of the match inevitably began to take its toll. Despite this, we showed neat work from the scrum, with new scrum half Hattie bossing the breakdown well. There was a fascinating battle between Mimi at full back and the quick opposition winger, which Mimi won hands down, hammering her opponent into touch on numerous occasions. The scrum of Lottie, Ella and Charlie won plenty of ball, including several against the head. All three also put in storming runs to make ground. Molly, Bethany and Hollie continued their excellent defensive work and scrambled well.
We trailed by one try with 3 minutes left, but numbers inevitably told after 35 minutes and two late scores sealed the game. On even terms, there’s no doubt Olney would have triumphed, having cut the opposition to pieces with a full complement.
We have a handful of experienced high quality players, but the most pleasing thing about the last week is the way that the new girls have stepped up and visibly improved in skills and commitment since game one. Watch this space!