OLs were quick to respond with 2 Adam Canning penalties but a further home penalty followed by a try just before the interval saw OLs 16-6 down going into the half-time break. Missed first-up tackles and more ill discipline saw OLs concede early territory and the impressive home side Centre was the difference between the 2 sides as Bedworth scored 2 further tries and another penalty, leaving OLs with a mountain to climb. As the game opened up OLs began to play the expansive rugby they are capable of and after Adam Canning broke from inside his 22, quick hands and good offloading saw captain Luke Staton sprinting in from half-way, Canning converting. Jack Secher then added himself to the score sheet with an impressive chip and chase to leave the home side panicking about OLs comeback. Time wasn’t on OLs side and they must bounce back in the Cup away at Veseyans next week.
The extras continue on their unbeaten form, running up an impressive victory against a tough Bedworth side. Early on Bedworth had the edge in the scrum, so OL’s sought to use their talented backline and play the ball away from Bedworth’s strong pack. It is fair to say that Bedworth did not make the most of the possession they had, though this had a large amount to do with the thumping tackles OL’s were putting in. Traditionally, Bedworth 2’s play a very certain type of rugby and this particular second team were no exception to that rule. The important thing was that OL’s did not react to these punches; indeed it only hardened their resolve. Captain Liam Jones epitomised this, taking several licks from his opposite number up against the side of a scrum early on, before going on to annihilate him in the loose and every subsequent set piece. The captain led from the front, and his team followed his example. Alex Morgan scored the first try. Mark Foley won a penalty after being cynically tackled off the ball. Veteran Andy Hall took the quick tap and the ball was passed out wide whilst Bedworth were still retreating back from the initial offence. Morgan waltzed through some truly shambolic tackling and touched down to give OL’s the lead. This was OL’s first foray into their opponents 22. The conversion was missed but OL’s had gained momentum. Bedworth responded by kicking two penalties. OL’s resolute defence and ability to close down every attacking move meant they were limited to these two scoring opportunities. The second try was scored by Mark “MoM” Foley. Andy Hall found space out wide with a probing kick from the base of a scrum and birthday boy Mark caught the ball, changed angle and floored his winger all in one move. Alas, he was unable to make the conversion. The half time whistle blew and OL’s were able to regroup and reorganise. Bedworth had only one dimension to their game, and that game was not working. If the ball was released quickly then OL’s superior back-line were sure to score more points. Happily, this proved to be the case with Alex Morgan cutting through the Bedworth defensive line again and touching down early on. OL’s were methodical with their possession and continued to build momentum whilst a green storm raged ineffectively around them. Bedworth had no answer to the flair on display here so sought to stifle the Extras by again attempting to draw them into conflict. OL’s demonstrated again that this sort of Rugby has no business being played at The Crofts; ignoring this rather crude game plan and responding by the best way. Try of the match goes to eventual “Barcode” Man of the Match and captain Liam Jones. The gifted blindside received the ball from the back of a ruck on the edge of Bedworth’s 22. He dummied and powered through the Bedworth team with a couple of well placed hand off’s. Foley was able to convert this time, much to the delight of the partisan crowd. Unfortunately, OL’s rested on their laurels a little and Bedworth were able to score off a badly managed lineout. Happily, this come back was short lived and Fireman Kev FINALLY scored his first try for the club (having previously gone to superhuman efforts to NOT score in prior games). The winger received the ball on the edge of the 22 before making his way (eventually) to the line. Foley converted and the result was sealed. As mentioned “Barcode” Man of the Match goes to Liam Jones. Greg Williams and Toby Godridge impressed, showing Bedworth how to play hard within the rules of the game. The entire backline was magical; Andy Mould showed he still had bags of drive, returning from his honeymoon curiously energised. Mark Bisset mixed flair with raw aggression and tore the Bedworth line to shreds in defence and attack. Alex Morgan showed himself the clinical finisher, whilst Neil Hall, Mark Foley and “Fireman” Kev Greenhill all had good games. This is 7 games without losing now. The Extras have scored 36 tries and come from behind to win in 3 games. The results speak for themselves. The team looks ahead at the 2nd team cup fixture the coming weekend with confidence throughout. It doesn’t matter who plays. This is a side that will not back down and will just get up and keep coming. Pictures courtesy of Steve Mulcaster
Led by the determined Victoria Kerr, Old Leamingtonians RFC Ladies sought to win their first game of the league campaign. Sadly, this was not to be that day in what was definitely a game of two halves.
