Olney overcome Biggleswade with second half romp

Olney overcame a half-time deficit to comfortably see off Biggleswade 43-22 on Saturday.
Olney vs Biggleswade. (Pic Jeff Bowden)Olney vs Biggleswade. (Pic Jeff Bowden)
Olney vs Biggleswade. (Pic Jeff Bowden)

Biggleswade kicked off and true to recent form Olney conceded a converted try in the first two minutes. Things then settled down somewhat though the home side were under pressure in the scrums, due to a front row line up including players unaccustomed to the role.

Good carries by James Hawken and Euan Walker gave the home side some forward momentum. But it was halfway through the session before Biggleswade, awarded a penalty, kicked long and followed up to score another converted try, extending their lead to 14-0.

Olney attacked from the kick off and took the ball to the visitor’s goal line, a forward pass gave a scrum to Biggleswade, but Olney regained possession and the benefit of a free kick. Olney opted to run the ball and Euan Walker drove over the line to put points on the board with an unconverted try. Receiving from the kick off, Walker was in the action again, and another good carry took play up to the visitor’s 22.

Olney were gradually taking control having the edge in the lines out and improving at the set scrums. Gaining the ball from broken play the forwards, through Craig Smith, carried the ball to the visitor’s 5m line. Olney were awarded a scrum that they won to give scrum half Rich Cowan the opportunity to break through for a try, converted by Hawken to close the deficit to 14-12 going into half time.

Olney kicked off for the second half but were soon penalised and Biggleswade kicked for goal, extending the lead to 17-12.

Olney counter attacked but were held up over the line. This gave Olney a scrum 5m out and Sutton picked up off the back to split the defence and touchdown, Hawken added the conversion and the home side gained the lead 19-17.

Soon after Charlie Harris went over for a converted try and the home side were on the charge, another offensive caught the visitors offside and Olney were awarded a penalty. Hawken was on target again and after 28 second half, minutes Olney were leading 29-17.

Biggleswade replied with an unconverted try to make the score 29-22.

The improvement in Olney’s scrum was evident when they won against the head, and from a line out Cowan threaded through for a try, converted Hawken to make it 36-22.

Hawken made a great break through close defenders and ran over half the length of the pitch to score, adding his own conversion to give Olney the win 43-22.