The Old Leamingtonians Vets and Southam 3rds have traditionally been two very well matched sides with many memorable games having been played between the two sides over the years. From the kick off it was obvious that yet again the match would be a very even and competitive game of rugby with both sides looking to use their robust forwards to control the game allowing the respective backs room to play. It was the Vets forwards that emerged on top after the initial twenty minutes of play. A dominance that the Vets were not to relinquish for the rest of the game. On the half hour, more good work by the Vets forwards in loose play secured possession on the half way and slick handling by the backs took the Vets to the Southam 25 meter line on the left, a quick ruck and quick hands through the backs saw Winger Alan Canning cross on the right to score the first try. More controlled forward play allowed number 8 Mark Brompton to cross the Southam line near the posts for a try converted by Centre Simon Hemming. Sadly the Vets lost the services of Centre Simon Hemming in the last five minutes of the half, he having had a tooth knocked out by the Southam Full Back in an off the ball incident not seen by the referee.

The second half saw Southam forwards initiate a number of quick rucks and mauls leading to a converted try under the Vets posts. Shortly into the second half the Vets gained the services of Club Chairman Dave Brooker as a replacement bringing them back to 15 players. Some astute kicking by Man of the Match Fly Half Simon Noakes took the Vets deep into the Southam 25 meters with a ruck on the left, the over eager Southam Centres were caught off side under their posts allowing Vets Fly Half Simon Noakes to kick a penalty. Sadly another off the ball incident, when the Southam Full Back attacked the Vets Full Back from behind causing the Vets Full Back Julian Carter to leave the field with a fracture and a broken tooth reduced the Vets to 14 players again. Southam capitalised on the numbers and scored a converted try. The Vets forwards worked the ball up the field and from a lineout Number 8 Mark Brompton was able to force his way over again for the Vest. The match ended with Old Leams Vest fielding 13 players and consequently Southam scored a further try in the final minutes.

It is clear that the Full Back playing for Southam had every intention of bringing to the game of rugby as much cowardly violence and thuggery as he could. His attacks on two defenceless players both off the ball away from the referee would have resulted in the attentions of the Police had they been perpetrated on the street. This type of cowardly thuggery has been wholly removed from the professional game and it is high time that junior clubs took the responsible stance and banned thugs with violent intentions from playing rugby.