Olney 24 Milton Keynes 17

This was the first match of a new season. City expect to be pushing for promotion by the end of the season. Their main sponsor, PJ Care have continued to work with the club for the benefit of all.
Their first match was against old adversaries Olney who had been relegated at the end of the last season coming down to Southern Counties North. Neither side played their best rugby on Saturday but Olney made more of their chances during the game.
With weather more akin to cricket it was always going to be a difficult afternoon for both sides. The first 20 minutes were evenly matched with an exchange of penalties for minor infringements. Olney took the lead following a break from their own 22 metre line. City missed a couple of tackles, allowing Olney to threaten the City try line. Fortunately for Milton Keynes the Olney attack ended with a knock on close to City’s line. The resulting scrum to MK was scrappy and it allowed Olney to gain possession and to score a try, with the conversion missed Olney were 5 points in the lead.
City struggled with their lineout throughout the game and this put additional pressure on the side. A lost lineout nearly gave Olney a further score after 35 minutes but a knock on saved a further score to Olney.
Following an untidy scrum to City Olney were able to gain possession and with just 5 minutes to half time they scored under the posts. With an easy conversion Olney were 12 points in the lead at half time.
Within 5 minutes of the second half City put some points on the board. Following a successful lineout close to Olney’s try line the pack was able to drive Ashley Hill over the Olney try line for their first try of the season. Phil Powell successfully converted making the score 12 – 7.
Phil Powell soon converted a penalty and City were now just 2 points behind with half an hour to go.
From the Olney kick off City allowed the home side to gain possession. City appeared to be basking in their success as sloppy defending allowed Olney to score a simple try. Although the conversion was missed the lead was now 7 points.
With 20 minutes left Olney were the more dominant side and a further try was scored making the match almost impossible for City to win. Their chances improved with Lazby taking a quick penalty, popping the ball to Richard Hill who moved it on to Daniel Rolfe who scored to make the final score 24 – 17 following a further excellent kick by Phil Powell.
City have their first home game next weekend. This will be another tough encounter playing Reading Abbey, another team relegated last season.