MEN'S RUGBY: ONs fight back to claim thrilling draw with Wellingborough

The ONs took an early lead when possession was turned over in midfield and swift transfer along the backs gave Jake Spencer the chance to race over.

Joe Patrick added the two points, but Wellingborough replied as the first quarter came to an end with a pushover try converted by Tom 
Mair.

And the away side took the lead when scrum-half Connor Riley sniped over after their pack had driven close.

Patrick landed a simple penalty to reduce the arrears, but Jordan Spittle was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on and Wellingborough took advantage.

The ONs lost possession at the base of a scrum close to their line and play was spread wide for Kieran Checkley to finish.

And from the restart, a sweeping move saw replacement Luke Gardiner go over.

Pete Vickers missed both conversion attempts, but Wellingborough led 22-10 at the break.

A Zach Draper try following a strong run and offload from Fernely Simmonds cut the deficit at the start of the second half.

As the game entered the final quarter, the ONs at last brought the scores level when Spittle, Spencer and Crofts combined down the left touchline before Crofts burst clear to go over.

Patrick converted to make it 22-22.

Vickers and Patrick missed a penalty apiece before the end as the spoils were shared.

Meanwhile, Old Northamptonians IIs were beaten 41-22 by Wellingborough IIs.

The ONs’ tries came from Joe Rolleston (2), Craig Neighbour and Richard Underwood, with Barry Harrower adding a conversion.

Old Northamptonians IVs beat Market Harborough Vets 24-7 thanks to tries from Jez Leeke, Stu MacDonald, Ben Briddon and Paul Tarbuck. Jon Deeks added two conversions.

Olney 25 Oadby Wyggestonians 17

OLNEY claimed a fine win against the Midlands 2 East (South) league leaders.

Prop Jeremiah Shields started the scoring, with Kieran Manson converting.

Christian Caswell added to the lead with another score, on 12 minutes, and there was to be another try for the home side before the break as flanker Isaac Shields went over.

Oadby did grab a score of their own at the end of the first half and another effort after the interval cut the gap to just three points at 17-14.

Manson extended the Olney lead before Oadby responded with a penalty of their own.

And it was to be Olney who had the final say as George Stanton scored to secure an impressive success.

Sutton & Epsom 42 Towcestrians 26

TOWCESTRIANS took some pride in their London & SE Premier defeat at Sutton & Epsom.

It was another disappointing scoreline in this difficult season for Tows, but it didn’t truly tell the full story of this match.

Conceding a try from the kick-off was certainly not what was required against a Sutton & Epsom team who needed little by way of confidence boosting.

But Tows quickly bounced back as Jamie Warr pounced to score a try, and the away side were soon ahead as Alex Chalcraft dotted down and Ben Roe converted.

The home side scored again to re-take the lead, but Chalcraft grabbed his second score and Roe added the extras to make it 19-14.

Tows failed to make some early pressure pay in the second half and Sutton punished them with a converted 
try.

Again Tows went ahead, with hooker Harry Knibbs scampering over, but a front-row reshuffle saw the away side face extreme pressure, leading to two Sutton scores.

Dave Devlin-Jones was then yellow carded and Warr suffered a neck injury, leaving Tows deflated as they conceded again.

Meanwhile, Towcestrians IIs produced another strong display, earning a fine 15-5 victory against Luctonians.

The Colts progressed in the National Cup after beating Buckingham.

Scouts 21 Oundle 56

SCOUTS suffered defeat in this Midlands 1 (East) clash at Rushmere Road.

They now sit 10th in the standings after recording five wins from their 16 league games so far.