OLs extras enjoy the sunshine in the South Warwickshire Countryside!

On a very warm day in Harbury an OLs 2^nd/3^rd team played in the 2^nd Annual Alan Padbury Memorial Tournament.

Provisionally, this had been touted as an opportunity for the remaining players, not selected to play Leamington to have a run out and press claims for positions this season. However, with it being the Bank Holiday and the sunshine eventually out it soon became apparent that to get 15 players would be an achievement and it was with that number that we arrived at Harbury to get the 07/08 season underway.

With several players playing out of position the first game was against a strong looking Harbury side. Having already played their first 20 minute game, it was clear that OLs would have to start with the intensity often missing from the beginning of games last season.

The 2^nd game immediately followed against a strong looking Shipstone side where their bigger set of forwards and the space available on what seemed to be a primary school sized pitch led to a scrappy game with numerous errors. Poor discipline in the opening half led to OLs conceding a number of penalties and eventually going down to 14 players for a 5 minute spell. With Shipstone camped in the OLs 22 for most of the half, the pressure finally told and they turned around 5-0 ahead. OLs upped the tempo in the 2^nd half and it was only several wind assisted kicks (and dare I say fortunate bounces) that pushed OLs back towards their own line again. After conceding another try, the game finished OLs 0 Shipstone 12.

The third game was more of the same against Southam although it wasn't until late in the 2^nd half that OLs eventually succumbed to the pressure. The opposition initially scoring in the Left Hand corner from several phases from the forwards before an excellent move from the backs saw the right winger scoring in the opposite corner. Again, OLs could leave the pitch with their heads held high after dominating the scrums and showing a few attacking moves of their own. Final score OLs 0, Southam 12

Final game of the day was back to the little pitch against a Warwickians side. Ideally OLs would have preferred the open spaces of the larger pitch and came up against a surprisingly well-drilled Warwickians side. As with previous teams, Warwickians had bought a squad of approximately 25 allowing themselves to rotate the playing staff during the day. OLs, still continuing on with the initial 15 players (plus another from Warwickians after Jamie Brown had been injured against Shipstone), the tiredness was beginning to show and the Warwickians number 8 broke the middle of a maul and scored to the right of the posts. The kick was missed but this gave OLs the drive to produce some of their best rugby of the day. Some good runs by the backs, particularly Cawail Wong, now playing in the centres saw OLs making good ground. A change in the back row due to fitness (they won't live that one down, you know who you are!!) and scrum 30 yards out allowed the OLs number 8 to pick and drive at the Warwickians back line. An off load to Aaron Dudley who further fed Liam Jones, hauled down just short. Quick ball to the OLs backline and Neil Hall scored comfortably in the right hand corner. The kick was missed but the intensity had been raised and the tired legs were suddenly just a memory. Unfortunately a mistake on the restart gave Warwickians a scrum on the OLs 5 metre line and they scored a converted try under the posts. Final Score OLs 5, Warwickians 12.

Despite losing all 4 games the attitude from the players was excellent in what were very hot conditions to play 80 minutes of rugby. There were good solid debuts from Adam Biddle and Steve Gilmore and the front row of Craig Ellis, Cookee and Nick Bingham can count at least 7 scrums won against the head during the course of the day. After a few beers in the changing rooms afterwards, the squealer award was awarded and all agreed it had been a very successful day. Special mention to Liam Jones who stepped into the 2^nd row for the first time and also made some fantastic runs throughout the day.

Game next week, opposition to be confirmed. Fines begin this week so please bring with you the little gold nuggets for payment. Lateness and incorrect dress will incur a fine. You have been warned!