Sunday 17 April
Won 34-14
Olney Ladies booked their place in the Cup quarter final last weekend with a win against Norfolk rivals Lakenham Hewitt, securing their position with a strong first half display. The home team started brightly and before long Olney's number 10 Natasha Byast was in for the first score after a weaving run outfoxing the Lakenham back line. Some excellent fast rucking from Olney secured quality ball and the back line exploited this with some well worked moves to get the ball wide. A quick take from a penalty brought the next try for centre Kath Hardwick and set the tone for the first half as Olney piled on pressure and kept working to maintain momentum.
Superb support play from full back Kelly Ann Davey saw her and winger Kerry James interlink and weave around Lakenham's defence with Davey eventually going over to score. Lakenham regrouped and responded to the early onslaught with some secure rucking and strong runs from their forwards, which drove Olney back to the line at points. A series of penalties against Olney gave Lakenham even more space and eventually they were heading for the try line. Solid tackles from Olney frustrated the visitors however, as the ball was held up twice over the line. Eventually a penalty against Lakenham gave Olney breathing space and a brave in-field kick was chased up with winger James stealing the ball from isolated opposition.
Kerry James was in for a try soon after as the backs shipped the ball out and a sprint through saw James touch down, with Clarke again converting. A period of great mauling from the Olney pack brought the next try for second row and man of the match Tanya Cartmell, who drove over from a strong period of forwards pressure to touch down.
The second half saw a different Lakenham side who worked the ball up the pitch using their excellent kicker at full back, pushing Olney back in to their own 22 time after time. Olney went to sleep and ball watched, allowing the Lakenham side to sneak through for a soft try. Olney lost some of their clinical execution in this half, giving Lakenham chances to make ground by slack defensive work. Lakenham to their credit took full advantage with some excellent running and good support play and gave Olney the hardest game they've had so far this season.
Full back Davey and winger Lizzy Holbourne cleared up some challenging kicks and both made ground on the counter attack. Centre Aby Roberge intercepted a pass to swing the run of play Olney's way, and an excellent run saw the home side gain ground again. Support play came back to the fore as prop Amanda Clarke and flanker Tammy Sansome ran amok to drive the visitors back. A try seemed to be on the cards but frustratingly Olney couldn't convert pressure to points. Eventually flanker Helen Woods took the initiative with a pounding run taking her over the line, leaving opposition bodies in her wake.
It was Lakenham that had the last word, however, having stepped up a gear in the second half and only letting Olney score once, compared to a five try first half. A steal from Olney's attacking player saw the full back dash up the wing to touch down and leave the final score 34-14 to Olney. Lakenham Hewitt proved their mettle in a different form after the game, however, winning the drinking competition by a long way!
Tries: Natasha Byast, Kath Hardwick, Kelly Ann Davey, Kerry James, Tanya Cartmell, Helen Woods
Conversions: Amanda Clarke (2)
Men of the match: Tanya Cartmell, Kerry James
After a nail-biting end to Olney's 2004 cup campaign, where they lost the final on penalty kicks after an extra time draw to London Welsh, the pink ladies are well focused on this year's challenge and look forward to the next round, against Leigh RFC.
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