Market Bosworth v Olney
15th February 2025

This week’s guest reporter: Pat McGroyne.

Probably our furthest away trip in the league to a club renowned for its pre-match VP’s lunch. Some of the travelling band were fortunate to partake of this and thank their hosts for their hospitality. Market Bosworth is famous for being the place where Colin Pitchfork attended school. He was the first person to be convicted of murder using DNA fingerprinting. It is also the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field – the last significant battle of the wars of the roses – which saw the demise of a certain Richard III. We wondered why there was a slightly deformed gentleman outside the car park offering to exchange his kingdom for a horse. Hopefully no such battle on the field today, just a good hard game.

On a wet, cold and dreary afternoon, the sides took to the field with conditions underfoot not ideal. No-one was expecting a feast of running rugby. Olney (with their much changed side due to injury and unavailability again) attacked well early on and took the chance to put 3 points on the board courtesy of a Charlie Hicks penalty. Bosworth found it difficult to get out of their own half but when they did, a sustained attack in the 22 with the forwards working well led to a 5m scrum and then a penalty try. A break from his own 22 by old man Gareth Cahill was supported by non-other than slim Jim Osborn and some interplay between the pair of them resulted in a fine try for Cahill. Bosworth were back in the lead when a high kick was well gathered and the support was there to run to the line from 40m. Despite Olney being down to 14 after a yellow card they were able to get to the red zone and Dave Simpson charged down an attempted clearance kick to score close to the end of the half, taking the score to 12-17.

In the second half the weather seemed to get worse with more rain and the temperature dropping but Olney did manage to get the ball out to Henry Warren on the wing for a rare touch of the ball. He took his chance well and scored wide on the left. The conditions were a great leveller for the game as a spectacle but if anything this suited the home side who were now playing down the slight incline and had the breeze behind them. They worked their way to the Olney line and the inevitable pushover try happened as the forwards out-muscled the defence to take them to within one score. More of the same followed with Bosworth battering their way up field and Olney unable to put any phases together to get their more expansive game going. With the game drawing to a conclusion and Olney down to 14 again, Bosworth were awarded a penalty and the referee called last play. A kick to the corner for the lineout and a maul calling in all 15 of the home side drove over the line. After 25 bodies had picked themselves out of the swamp, the referee decided that Bosworth had scored and the final result was a draw at 22-22.

Ultimately not the result Olney had hoped for but to come away with 2 points for a draw was something to show from the players who gave their all in conditions not ideal for their style of play. Well done to the supporters who braved the elements and showed off a fine array of hats, coats, boots and umbrellas. Here’s looking forward to lighter nights and warmer weather. It was noted that some stayed in the car and watched but we won’t mention who!

An observation this week hinted that politicians are similar to baby’s nappies. Both should be changed frequently and probably for the same reason. Also the fact that jellyfish have survived for millions of years despite not having brains must give hope to many of the world’s population