Olney 36 - Wallingford 24
With a large home crowd following the Mini and Junior’s Sponsored lunch, Olney welcomed Wallingford with high hopes of a win after winning away 36-14 earlier in the season.
The game commenced with both sides looking to make an early impression, though it was Olney who were first get a score after full back, Mark Marwood took a high ball and passed to Centre, James Hawken who passed a number of Wallingford players before passing to Second Row, Liam Lancaster who ran on to score the first try of the afternoon. James Hawken converted giving Olney an early lead 7-0. With the game continuing from end to end, and both sides getting close to score, it was Wallingford who were next to be awarded a try after pressing the Olney defence following a lineout, the full back converted taking the score 7-7.
It wasn’t long before Olney scored again, after a couple of strong runs by Winger, James Padfield, it was Olney’s opposite Winger, Johnathan Brice who scored a try which wasn’t converted but gave Olney the edge 12-7. Then within minutes the Wallingford side had made a clean break to score their second try, which was not converted bringing the score to 12-12. As the game continued Olney managed to maintain more possession and Prop, Mo Ormesher had a superb run and looked as though he could quite possibly of been the next to score a try. However, Olney were awarded a penalty for a Wallingford player not rolling away from the tackled player, which James Hawken converted taking the score to 15-12 at half time.
Both sides still looking fresh despite the high tempo game, and Olney’s number eight, Gareth Cahill made a good run before Olney became turned over and after pressing at the Olney defence a try eventually came, with the full back converting taking Wallingford into the lead 15-19. Olney keen to get back in the lead saw the backs make some great breaks only to be stopped before reaching the try line or punish themselves with handling errors only yards out. Though after some strong work by the forwards it was Gareth Cahill who went over to score Olney’s next try, which James Hawken converted putting Olney back ahead 22-19. This only lasted for a matter of minutes as the visitors went over to score another try following a lineout, the conversion was not successful but put them ahead 22-24.
Despite the score line, the Olney side looked a more united team from recent weeks, with constant changes in positions, and after an Olney scrum it was Liam Lancaster who broke through to score again, with James Hawken converting taking Olney back into the lead 29-24. With the Olney crowd getting behind their side it was great to see Hooker, Adam kelsall go over for the final try of the afternoon, with James Hawken converting taking the final score to 36-24. A deserved win for the home side, who have another home game this Saturday against Reading Abbey.
Tries; L Lancaster x2, J Brice x1, G Cahill x1, A Kelsall x1
Con; J Hawken x 4
Pen; J Hawken x1
