Olney lift the championship title with win

Olney U17s reached the semi finals of the RFU National Cup, while wrapping up the Midlands Championship with a win over Oadby Wyggestonians.
Harry Warn receives the Midlands Cup from the RFU representative (Pic: Jeff Bowden)Harry Warn receives the Midlands Cup from the RFU representative (Pic: Jeff Bowden)
Harry Warn receives the Midlands Cup from the RFU representative (Pic: Jeff Bowden)

The game against Oadby started well with Olney securing an attacking line out early on.

A successful catch and drive resulted in Sam Howell scoring giving Olney a 5-0 lead.

The next 20 minutes had chances for both sides but the only scores were an exchange of penalties, Sean Mulvey converting for Olney.

At 8-3 down Oadby piled on the pressure and eventually their large forwards helped their fly half to crash over for a converted try and take a 10-8 lead.

With the clock ticking down to half time Olney finally started to use their pace and handling to open up an opportunity for Tatenda Ward to score a try in the corner as Olney led 13-10 at the break.

Soon after the second half started, Oadby had a player yellow carded and Olney were able to exploit the extra man advantage, firstly with a penalty, and then through a deep kick behind the defence that was gathered and recycled quickly to allow Howell to get his second try, again unconverted (21-10).

The rest of the second half was a display of strong running rugby from Olney as they moved Oadby across the pitch and then exploited the wide channels leading to Ward getting three further tries in the right corner and Hamish Bull scoring a try under the posts (two of the tries were converted by Mulvey). Oadby did get a consolation try late on but the final score was 45-15.

U17 Coaches Mark Lay and Ed Rhodes said: “We are incredibly proud as coaches and as a club of what the lads have achieved collectively as a squad of players against the best teams in the country.

“Sunday’s game against Leicestershire champions Oadby was a tough encounter as they had a big pack and a strong defensive line in the centres.

“Olney maintained a high tempo of play in the first half and then moved up a gear in the second half and provided a fantastic performance of all round rugby to get a deserved win and move to the next stage of the national competition.”

Related topics: