MEN'S RUGBY: Osborne puts in captain's performance in Tows win

Osborne and replacement scrum-half Dave Stocks both dotted down and James Falvey added eight points to help see off Witney 18-10.

The away side had won six successive matches prior to their trip to Greens Norton Road, but Tows had too much as they stretched their lead at the top to 12 points.

Witney had completely dominated the opening exchanges, going ahead through Callum Godfrey.

The sizeable home support were concerned that their side’s 100 per cent home record was in danger, but Osborne responded off 
the back of good forward pressure.

Falvey added a penalty to ensure Tows would go in 8-5 up at the break, and he soon added another three points after the interval.

But Witney hit back with a Rees Morgan score, increasing tension levels in the home ranks.

Stocks settled the nerves though, diving over from the base of a ruck to score.

Falvey added the extras to deny Witney a losing bonus point.

Tows now travel to Reading on Saturday, aiming to take another step towards claiming the title.

Meanwhile, Towcestrians IIs reversed their only defeat of the season, beating Nuneaton IIs 34-15.

Tows IIIs took the league points in commanding fashion with a 39-5 victory over Old Scouts IIs, but the Colts came up short against Buckingham.

Old Northamptonians 8 Peterborough Lions 33

Old Northamptonians were outclassed by the Lions in this National League 3 Midlands clash.

ONs, who now sit 12th in the standings, registered one try, with Tim Cardall scoring, while James Grayson added a penalty.

But the Lions were to roar on home turf, securing a sizeable win.

The home side scored early on and it was to be the first of five efforts on an afternoon when ONs created chances, but only managed to take one of them.

Meanwhile, Old Northamptonians IIs were convincing 48-19 winners against Market Harborough IIs, who stepped in after Peterborough Lions IIs had be unable to fulfil the scheduled merit table fixture.

The ONs tries came from Simon Portwain (2), Dave Irvine, Kieran Murdie, Andy Browne, James Hare, Kern Routley and Charlie Barker, who also added four conversions.

Scouts 52 Matlock 3

Scouts exacted revenge with some style on a Matlock side who had been lucky to win the corresponding fixture.

Early pressure from the visitors resulted in a penalty but any further scoring chances were thwarted by a resolute Scouts defence.

The hosts began to get into their stride and an exquisite cross kick by Adam Frost bounced just in front of the line for winger George Barrett to neatly catch and touch down.

Further attacks by Scouts were causing concern for the visitors and after a couple of promising attacks had broken down, Tom Powell, on return from a lengthy injury break, dived over for Frost to convert.

It was all Scouts now as they kept the pressure on with Frost sliding over and Jordan Dolman touching down.

Frost converted both and the try bonus point was in the bank before the break.

The second half belonged entirely to Scouts as they ran in four more tries, displaying some quality ball-handling at the same time.

Dolman grabbed his second early on, and a storming 40-metre run down the wing from flanker Iain Simmons resulted in a touch down. Frost added the extras to the second try.

The seventh try came at the end of the third quarter and was a purely individual score by Barrett who took the ball in his own half and used his power and speed to fend off several would-be challengers in a race to the line. Frost again converted.

Powell rounded things off as he anticipated the slow pass from the base and caught the ball one-handed, walking over the line.

Frost added a further two points as Scouts completed the job they had set out to do.

Oadby Wyggestonians 87 Olney 7

Olney travelled to the suburbs of Leicester without skipper Jack Sutton and his recent deputy, Charlie Belcher.

And the away side were to suffer their biggest defeat in recent times.

Olney conceded five tries in the first half as Oadby headed in at the break 33-0 up.

And it was to get far worse during the second period.

Only a Josh Robinson try and Kane Middleton conversion could provide any sort of consolation.

Elsewhere, Olney Girls were 43-19 winners over Market Harborough, while Olney Ladies thrashed Fiveways 51-0.

The Olney Sevens returns for its 10th anniversary event on Saturday, June 25.

There are three men’s tournaments: The main Brakspear Open with a cash prize of £500 to the winners and £250 for the runners-up; the Stimpson Eves social tournament for those over 30 or in lower level sides; and a Vets 10s tournament.

A girls U18 tournament and Ladies 7s will also run on the day. Registration is now open for the event; for more details visit the website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/olney7s/

Enquiries to [email protected]