1st XV - Worcester Wanderers: 33 - 18

Written by Marieke Vink

Saturday, 22 September 2007

BUOYANT Leamingtonians have unearthed a welcome injection of resilience as they are finding coming to terms with life in the sleepier reaches of Midlands Four West (South). Last season's brittle backbone would have seen them cave in after conceding 12 early points  -- this time round the deficit only served as a wake up call for a team now boasting maximum points from three league fixtures. Early days, but confidence at The Crofts is beginning to soar as forwards and backs begin to shape as a team capable of mounting a promotion challenge. Worcester started out in alarmingly brisk fashion, running into the wind and snaffling two tries within eight minutes and tagging on a conversion for good measure. It took a probing kick from fly-half Adam Canning to ignite the first home attack and some useful support play enabled flanker Lee Hardy to go over to provide Canning with further evidence of his skilful boot when adding the conversion from wide out. However, Worcester were still in ambitious mode and a penalty success made for a 7-15 interval scoreline. Whatever was said during the break it took Leamingtonians only seconds to absorb the message, a swift strking move between the backs enabling in-form winger Alex Pain to touch down for a try which Canning added to, also from some distance. Again the Worcester response was positive in the shape of an added penalty and Leamingtonians still found themselves searching for a lifeline. It came on the back of some robust scrummaging, engineered by man mountain powerhouse Paul Brown from the front row. Time and time again Worcester's tiring eight were forced to retreat and only some poor decision making prevented the home backs from feasting on a surfeit of good ball. Happily, this season's refusal to throw in the towel finally brought its due reward as the closing 30 minutes belonged almost entirely to Leamingtonians who had their followers smiling with some enterprising attacking play which delivered tries for speedy full-back Rob Ridler, Australian centre Ben Dawson and Canning who also helped himself to a couple of conversions.

 

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