Old Leamingtonians RFC Match Reports Saturday 20^th February 2010

Old Leamingtonians RFC 1^st XV  v  Harbury RFC 1^st XV (League)

Venue  The Crofts - Bericote Road

Date    Saturday 20^th February 2010

Result  Old Leamingtonians RFC 1^st XV    20  - 13   Harbury RFC 1^st XV

Old Leamingtonians came out on top of the local derby game despite surrendering much line- out ball and set pieces in the a first half that saw Harbury score two unconverted tries in ther first 15 minutes.  Both were scored by the Harbury wingers following passages of poor defensive play from the OL's. Conceding early give away tries is becoming a habit that OL's are having to recover from.  Two first half penalties from Adam Canning, both from distance, was all OL's had to show from a mediocre first half performance.
  

  

The half time score of 6 - 10 hardly reflected the Harbury efforts during the first half.

The second half was completely different with OL's dominating throughout.  The forwards began to exert greater control of the set and loose periods of play allowing ball to be sent out to the three-quarters. Harbury were being pulled around the field and the longer the game went the more control OL's took of matters.
   
That said, Harbury went further ahead with a penalty early in the second half following an infringement inside the OL's 22 meter area in front of the posts. Eventually the pressure on the Harbury defences paid off when a flowing three-quarters move ended with a tap-on pass from centre Dave Canning allowed winger Dealtry to run in and score in the corner. Adam Canning kicked a fine conversion from the touchline. Harbury were now restricted to defence in the main and with five minutes to go with the score level, another good ball won from a period of strong forward play saw the ball moved along the three-quarters to David Canning who made a break to score the winning try, converted by Adam Canning.

This was a local derby played in good spirit throughout and on the day OL's came out on top but clearly more points could come from quicker ball being fed to the speedy backs to provide them with space and time to utilise the potential they clearly have.

Old Leamingtonians RFC Match Reports Saturday 13^th February 2010

Old Leamingtonians RFC 1^st XV  v  Edwardians RFC 1^st XV (League)

Venue  Edwardians, Shirley

Date    Saturday 13^th February 2010

Result  Edwardians RFC 1^st XV 7  -  Old Leamingtonians RFC 1^st XV 8

This was game played to match the conditions. A bitingly cold wind and slight drizzle appeared to affect both sides, neither being able to put together any concerted periods of play. Despite both teams creating space and good territorial advantages, neither was able to capitalise and the ball moved from end to end continuously.  There was no shortage of commitment or enthusiasm but both teams threw away good scoring opportunities by final passes that went astray or ball surrendering when in good attacking positions.

The only score in the first half was an Adam Canning penalty, well taken from distance, following an offside decision.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. The game swung in Edwardians favour after an OL's prop was sin-binned and an Edwardian attack finally breached the OL's defence wide out on the left and a try was scored in the corner.  The score was added to by a fine kick from the touchline to give Edwardians a 7-3 lead.

With 15 minutes to go OL's brought on replacements and there followed a good period of OL's forward pressure with Edwardians being driven back in the loose and set pieces. This forward pressure gradually moved the game nearer and nearer to the Edwardian goal line and eventually resulted in a fine try from prop Craig Ellis to give the visitors a one point advantage.  The conversion was missed and OL's held out for the remaining minutes under Edwardians pressure.

On the level of play neither side deserved to lose this game but OL's were rewarded for effort and commitment.  The OL's back row was again impressive in defence and attack and replacement Paul Brown, after a long absence through injury, showed that he had lost little of his front row technique and power during his15 minute cameo appearance.

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Old Leamingtonians RFC Wanderers XV  v  Warwickian RFC  XV

Venue    The Crofts - Bericote Road

Date       Saturday 6^th  February 2010

Result     Old Leamingtonians RFC Wanderers 1^st XV    50  - 5   Warwickian RFC  XV

A Wanderers side displaying the full breadth of age and expertise - President Mike Hemming and Andy Lee representing the Over 50s, Colonel Roy Dixon the Over 40's plus several Colts - won 50 -5 against a depleted Warwickian side bolstered by a number of loaned OL stalwarts inc Les "Gripper" Grafton.

Nick Crighton

OLRFC Press & Publicity Officer

07768 775601

Old Leamingtonians RFC Extra 1^st XV  v  Dunlop RFC 2^nd XV (Merit Table)

Venue    The Crofts - Bericote Road

Date       Saturday 6^th  February 2010

Result     Old Leamingtonians RFC Extra 1^st XV    20  - 19   Dunlop RFC 2^nd XV

OL Extras went into this game without a win since 2009, and had something to prove after their exit from the 2nd team cup the week-end before. With several players back from injury the back line was as good as the first team. Adam Canning in his first game back after a lengthy injury made all the difference to an OLs side that has recently struggled to penetrate in attack.

OLs competed well from the kick-off forcing Dunlop into making a series of tackles that eventually led to a penalty. Adam Canning slotted the penalty easily from far out on the left giving the home side a 3-0 lead after 8 minutes. Then after excellent running from the three quarters the OLs No.8 headed towards the line where he was smashed down just 5 metres short by a reckless high tackle from the Dunlop 15. The referee might have awarded a penalty try but didn't; Canning duly converted the penalty to put OLs 6-0 up.

This seemed to spur Dunlop on and within minutes they were back in the game with a try due to some sloppy defence from the home side; the try wasn't converted which at the time didn't seem that significant. Soon after Dunlop went further into the lead and this time the conversion was made and OLs went into half-time 6-12 down.

The second half seemed to ebb and flow for the first quarter until tactical changes and injuries bought on two of OLs most senior players, Neil Hall and Captain Deano Harris. This seemed to steady OLs and they started to dominate the line-out and the rucks giving the talented three quarters good quick ball. Kev Greenhills powerful running along with substitute Dave Canning & Simon Hemming's good hands and angles of running pressed Dunlop deeper into their own half. Eventually the pressure told with Adam Canning scoring an excellent individual try, beating several  Dunlop players with side-steps and dummies to crash over. Canning converted his own try. Score 13-12.

The next try came from the home side after quick ball from the hard working pack. Powerful rucking from several phases of support play enabled Dudley to spread the ball wide. Dave Canning smashed through the defence putting OLs on the front foot. At 22 metre  line-out was won by OLs, the ball going wide to the left this time. The tackles went in fast and furious from the away-side, but OLs managed to retain possession & ruck the ball free with Adam Canning receiving good quick ball who then placed a cross-field kick into the direction of wing Hemming. The Dunlop winger fumbled and Hemming scooped up the ball to score in the corner, increasing the home-sides lead further. This time Canning was kicking from wide out . The conversion sailed straight through the middle putting OLs 20-12 in front.

The drama wasn't over yet with Dunlop coming straight back. After a series of penalties and drives Dunlop's No.6 crashed over from 2 yards out with the conversion being added to make the score 20-19.  At the final whistle OLs had won a very close encounter 20-19.  A truly dogged performance.   

Nick Crighton

OLRFC Press & Publicity Officer

07768 775601