MEN'S RUGBY: ONs claim crucial victory against relegation rivals

ONs move 15 points clear of bottom side Sutton Coldfield with the success, which was earned despite the opposition scoring an early try.

ONs responded, with Lewis Barker quickly taking a kick and finding Tim Cardall, who touched down for his seventh try of the season.

Alex Rose converted, but minutes later Sutton Coldfield were on target to regain the lead.

But ONs again came roaring back with Cardall stealing a lineout on halfway and the ball eventually finding Chris McKee, who touched down, earning his team a 12-10 advantage.

The home side’s third try came within 10 minutes of the restart as Richard Blank and McKee combined to help Mike Bellamy run free to score.

Rose added the two points and ONs were soon pulling further ahead as Kieran O’Connor’s burst through the middle eventually resulted in Rory Seymour going over in the corner.

With 20 minutes remaining, ONs held a 24-10 lead and there were to be no further scores as a crucial win was secured at Billing Road.

Towcestrians 39 Windsor 0

TOWCESTRIANS produced their best all-round display of the season as they stormed to victory against Windsor at Greens Norton Road.

The runaway South West 1 East leaders started as they meant to go on, with Matt Yuill scoring and Murray Aitchison backing it up with another effort.

James Falvey got the third try of the afternoon and Craig Holton added another to make it a 22-0 lead at half-time.

Tows rounded things off in style with Alex Chalcraft, Ben Roe and Yuill all dotting down after the break to secure a superb win.

Tows are 14 points clear at the top with six league games remaining.

Meanwhile, Tows IIs travelled to Rugby Lions and recorded a 73-8 victory, while the IIIs narrowly lost out to a strong Bedford Athletic IIs.

The Colts collected a 19-0 victory at Rushden & Higham.

Bedford Swifts IIs 19 Heathens 19

Despite taking a 14-0 half time lead, Heathens were unable to close out a victory in this Youngs Bitter merit table match at Bedford International Athletics Stadium.

Heathens made a strong start to the match when No.8 Dan Stonehouse made a break from inside his own half 
and the ball was moved crossfield for centre Jake Doyle to score.

It was well converted by flanker Ash Brown and the lead was increased six minutes later as man of the match Doyle added to his tally.

Brown again added the extras.

Heathens were undone five minutes after the restart when Swifts secured a converted try.

But The Romany-based side responded when skipper Marty Campbell fed Stonehouse for the score.

However, Bedford fought back and Heathens hooker Vio Marin was yellow carded on 60 minutes.

The Swifts then exploited poorly controlled possession at the base of a scrum and claimed a converted try.

And the home side were to draw level five minutes later.

Neither side were able to create any clear-cut chances to win it, leaving a rare draw as the final result.

Heathens’ next fixture is against Winslow in the Youngs Bitter merit table on Saturday. It kicks off at 2.15pm at The Racecourse.

Peterborough 36 Olney 26

OLNEY gave a decent account of themselves, but they were eventually beaten at Peterborough.

The home side cruised into a 19-0 lead after just 10 minutes.

Olney eventually managed to respond, with wing Phil Bowden outpacing his opposite number to score.

Bowden was soon at it again and with both efforts converted, Olney were just five points down.

But Peterborough replied with another effort to earn a 24-14 lead at the break.

And they continued to impress after the interval, scoring again after the restart.

But Olney kept fighting and Jack Sutton registered, with James Hawken converting to narrow the gap to eight points.

Peterborough scored in the corner to take a 36-21 lead, but Olney had the final say with Sutton dotting down.

Meanwhile, Olney IIs lost 24-12 to Kettering and Olney IIIs were beaten 7-0 by Luton.

Old Scouts 15 Wellingborough 12

Playing under lights suited Scouts as they completed a league double against local rivals on a wild windswept Rushmere Road evening.

Adam Frost put the hosts ahead with a penalty and they increased their lead when full-back Dean Lake fed winger George Barrett to touch down.

With 15 minutes remaining, Frost’s pass sent Jordan Dolman in under the posts. Frost converted.

Dolman was sin binned five minutes later and Boro took advantage with a try out wide.

The visitors gained energy from the try and again went over in the opposite corner.

The conversion attempt drifted wide and from the kick off Scouts recovered the ball and professionally ran the clock down to earn the points.

Meanwhile, Scouts IIs won 10-8 at Dunstablians, while the IIIs/IVs lost at home to the same opposition.

Long Buckby 12 Casuals 14

Craig Neighbour and Scott Arroyo-Hover were on the scoresheet as Casuals continued their good form with victory over second-placed Buckby.