Olney 41 : Grove 14

Grove made the long journey to top of the table Olney on Saturday on the back of 4 straight wins but with a much depleted 1st team squad due to injuries and other commitments. Any thoughts of continuing the good start to the season were swiftly stifled by an impressive 1st half display from the home side.
Grove failed to make any impact on the game from the kick off, and Olney quickly raced into the lead with their intent plain: using their speedy and incisive backs at every advantage. During the 1st quarter Grove rarely even saw the ball as the Olney side dominated every phase of the game. This control reflected in an ominous half time score of 35-0, and a complete white wash looked imminent.
However, Grove showed considerable spirit in the 2nd half and really took the game to Olney and actually 'won' the half. Finally securing their own share of possession allowed the travelling side to show Olney that they were no pushovers. The home side scored 1st through a clever kick through and collection from the outside centre, but Grove grew in confidence and the pack started to slowly get on top.
Despite losing 3 players; 2 through injury and 1 for a yellow card, the visitors showed great resilience in scoring 2 trys in the second period, 1 through Whyte and the other from Nick Sevier which he also converted. Whilst never looking like winning the whole game Grove spent the majority of the last quarter camped in Olney's 22.
 
Whilst the second half commitment cannot be faulted, another display like that seen in the 1st half will surely go punished, in similar fashion, by next week's opponents Witney. Perhaps this disappointing  performance will serve to remind Grove that they need to keep focused on the rugby they can and do play well.