Page 54 - Phonebox Magazine August 2007

Superb Sevens Success
A fantastic day was had by all at the first ever Olney Rugby Sevens Tournament on Saturday 7th July. Attracting 20 teams from all over the country, the competition was fierce and proved a great attraction for spectators.
The event marked the start of Olney Rugby Club’s ‘Go Play’ initiative, which is a nationwide push from the RFU to get more adult players back into rugby. Many of those in teams at the Sevens event already play regular rugby but it’s hoped that those who don’t will now sign up with their local team.
MP for the area, Mark Lancaster, leant his support to the inaugural Sevens Tournament and presented the winning trophy to Lady Rhodesia Boat Club alongside previous World Cup winner, Will Greenwood.
All teams were of a high standard in the event and in certain groups it went down to the final game to determine who qualified for the Semi Finals. The First Semi Final a closely fought contest between BodySparkes, a team consisting of Olney players and the eventual winners.
The second Semi final between Purple Nasties, Ex Durham university , including Will Greenwood and Ruckus Spartans a team trained by former England captain Will Carling. This was a one sided event with The Spartans booking their place in the final.
The final was hotly contested and most money was on the Spartans a very professional outfit. But it was to be local team Lady Rhodesia Boat Club who took the honours to take the title.
Club president, Mannie Howkins, said, “It was absolutely fantastic to see so much quality rugby down at Olney on Saturday. The event was superb and a great advertisement for the facilities and atmosphere that Olney Rugby Club provides to our local community. We are running many more social and competitive events at Olney in the run up to the Rugby World Cup, as part of our ‘Go Play’ campaign and I’d welcome anyone who’s looking to take up or return to rugby, to come down the club and get involved!”
All those involved in the day enjoyed the event and Will Greenwood commented on how professionally it was organised. This hopefully will be the first of many tournaments to come. Watch out on the website for photos of the event. K
For more information on Olney Rugby Club, please visit our website: www.olneyrfc.co.uk
Olney Tennis Club
Gill and Gun win Charity Tournament
The American format charity Tournament well organised by Sian and Anne Foulkes was a great success and won by Gill Hogston and Gun Chui Hwang (pictured). There
were many close games followed by a delicious tea at the clubhouse at Olney.
There have been lots of matches taking place as Olney run three mens, three ladies, one mixed and one Mens Bucks team. Pictured here are the Ladies C team that played against Stewkley in the
cup. Unfortunately this saw the end of Olney's great cup run. The players were L-R, Sian Foulkes, Kim Durden, Sophie Reynolds and Emma Barter. This team then gained a good draw against Leighton
Buzzard with the team being: Rosemary Fenton, Emma Barter, Kim Durden and Sophie Reynolds.
The Mens A team is in the top division this year and despite facing tough competition secured their second win of the season against Milton Keynes B with the team being Bob Allen, Mike Macdonnell, Nigel Willard and Dave Tarry. They have already beaten Wolverton B.
The Mens B team's last two matches have been washed out recently but are doing well in their league. They beat Milton Keynes C away 6-2 with the winning players being George Cheney, Phil Bennett, Philip Ramos and Gun Chui Hwang.
The Mens Bucks team have been finding the going tough facing very strong teams this year. They were beaten by Farnham Common at home on at least for once a glorious day. The team being Simon Barter, Philip Ramos, Phil Bennett, George Cheney, Gun Chui Hwang and Rob Shacklock.
The Juniors have been busy too. There was a great U15 match against Wing that was narrowly lost. Olney was well represented by Matthew Shacklock, Jacob Petrou and Xavier Buisson.
Come down to have a knock at the club this summer. All standards welcome, particulary those who have not played for a few years. Call 01234 710938 for details. K
Ladies Rugby
Finishing third in the league last season was a fantastic achievement for the ladies team, and gave the squad its highest ever league position in its 12 year history. After a shuffle of the league structure, this year Olney Ladies are placed in Championship 2 Midlands and we have one simple aim for the season ahead: to win the league.
I'm 100% confident that we have the ability and commitment needed to take the title and although we'll have some hard games, my girls can do it! We face mostly the usual suspects including Loughborough and Shelford, but in addition this year we have Old Leamingtonians and Longton in our league. Old Leams I know have been improving at a great rate of knots and will come here wanting to cause an upset - for most sides in the league, we are the team to beat. All I would say to them is - bring it on!!
Once again, and thankfully, Tim and Icky are steering us on and off the pitch. We know how lucky we are to have those two as coaches, and our new physio Jade has also been a real asset to the set up. The girls side continues to attract new players and the skills and talent that these youngsters have is fantastic to see - Steve Micklewright is doing a great job in developing their rugby.
Those of you who know the ladies team know that we are a friendly bunch and that we play to enjoy ourselves, as well as to win. The door is always open for new faces, so please direct potential rugby girls our way. The same goes for supporters as well – the more the merrier to add to the banter and general coach-trip mayhem so come down and join in – it's all good... K
Olney Town Cricket Club News
The bad weather has dominated the last month with both the senior and junior cricket programmes being decimated. The few games that have taken place have seen a much-needed return to form for the Saturday first eleven. Skipper Stuart Keeping has been outstanding with the ball and Andrew Griffin came within one run of hitting a ton against Old Bradwell.
By some miracle Olney Town dodged the horrendous weather that hit much of the north of England at the end of June and toured for the first time in seven years. The players based themselves in Arnside, which is situated on the mouth of the River Kent in Cumbria. The three games were played at Silverdale, two against the Silverdale Cricket Club (both lost) and one against Lancaster University. The game against Lancaster University was won by one wicket thanks to an unbeaten tenth wicket partnership of 50 between Stuart Keeping and Andrew Griffin. Mention must be made of the unique cricket ground at Silverdale. The ground is owned by The
National Trust and has views looking out over the northern tip of Morecambe Bay and the two nuclear reactors at Heysham Power Station. But the most unusual feature at Silverdale Cricket Club is that the county border between Lancashire and Cumbria lies just a few yards from the boundary. In the Lancaster game Stuart Keeping became the first Olney Town player to hit runs from one county to the next.
Scores
Four Counties Division Two: Olney Town 211-4 (A Griffin 99) Old Bradwell 131 (S Keeping 5-19). Olney Town won by 80 runs. Olney Town 228-7 (M Hallam 61) Turvey 96 (S Keeping 8-2-8-3). Olney Town won by 132 runs.
Four Counties Division Five: Winslow Town 115. Olney Town 119-3. Olney Town won by 7 wickets.
Sunday Friendly: Aspley Guise 215 Olney Town 168 (P Winter 66 not out P Gallyot 62). Olney Town lost by 47 runs.
100 Club: £100 – I Keeping; £30 – N Smith. K
54 Phonebox Magazine