Sat 11 Apr 2026
Peterborough RUFC travelled to Olney RUFC for their last league fixture of the season having already secured a promotion play off spot so were playing with no pressure but the coaching staff were still wanting to see a positive performance non the less. Running in 11 tries to Olney's 6 Borough came away with a 65-42 win showing some good attacking play in doing so.
Olney started the game brightly and scored after 5 minutes of play to take an early 7 nil lead. Borough then sprung into life and took control of the fixture. Dylan Evans playing his first game since December scored two quick tries. Olney still showing fight scored against the run of play. Borough kept grinding down their opposition with some strong running and it was this that lead Hooker Murphy Hill smashing through tackles to score his sides next try. With all the momentum Borough kept up the pressure and Will Bell scored on the back of a rolling maul which was then followed up a Max Arnold try after some great inter passing in the backs. Harry Anderson converted 3 of the tries in windy conditions. Despite the 31-12 halftime score line Sam Crooks reminded his players that they had been similar position before against Olney last season only to lose so do not take their opposition lightly.
The second half showed some great attacking play from both side but some woeful defence at the same time. Olney scored 2 quick tries to come roaring back into the game to but from there both sides seemed to almost trade scores. Borough scored some good team tries which saw Will Bell score 2 more to give him 3 for the game, joining him was Anderson with 2, Arnold with his second and scrum half Tom Kemp rounded out the try scorers for the visitors. Olney scored 2 more tries to bring an end to their league season. As the final score of 65-42 will suggest the Borough coaches will have some work to do on their defence before they travel to Market Harborough for their promotion play off game this coming Saturday.
Director of Rugby Shane Manning's comments " we scored some good tries but our defence wasn't good enough, it is hard playing in a game that was going to affect the out come of the season but we need to stick to our standards. Was pleasing to see Captain Luke Swindells do well at prop as he will be transitioning there next season and Murphy Hill was handful all day. We now have to focus on next Saturday, surprisingly we will be playing Market Harborough in our promotion play off knock out game who have lead the league all season but have lost a bit of form which saw Northampton Old Scouts beat them and win the league. The game will be tough and we know we are massive under dogs and rightly so. Its a knock out competition now so either our season will be over or we get the right to go another week. It will be a huge week at training so hopefully lads embrace the occasion."
