Old Leams Extras eventually ran away with this fixture, clocking up an impressive 8 tries in the September sunshine.

The first try went to James Holder, battering his way over from the back of a close range scrum. Wellesbourne hit back shortly after, taking advantage of a sloppy pass from the back of the scrum and forcing the error over the line.

Ben Forrer then scored his second try in as many weeks. He started the move himself before offloading. He then picked up from the base of the ensuing ruck and pummelled his way over and under the posts. Jack Jones successfully converted. Minutes later, Steve Hexall took advantage of some sloppy tackling and went on to score from inside his own half. Mr. Jones again added the conversion. OL’s led 19 – 5 at the break.

It became obvious that OL’s superior fitness was going to be the deciding factor in this game.  Luke Cobb and Neil Hall entered the fray bringing some considerable bulk to the pack and venerability to the back line. The first try of the second half went to Steve Hexall; Jack Jones took a tap penalty, released the mercurial Jack Secher who in turn off loaded to Hex, allowing the floppy haired centre to crash over under the posts. Jack Jones converted.

The following try is an early contender for “try of the season”. Jack Secher took a short range 22 drop out and offloaded to Jack Jones. The ball went down the line, passing from forwards to backs before Neil Hall took the initiative. His carefully weighted (so he assures us) kick over the top of the retreating Wellesbourne defence allowed Steve Dealtry to catch at full tilt. The Wellesbourne back line had no answer to the pace this guy possessed. “Champagne Rugby!” one enthusiastic watcher bellowed from the touch line. Jack Jones converted.

Near enough from the kick off Steve Hexall broke through the Wellesbourne defence again. However, this time he was held up just before the line, succesfully avoiding the honour of buying his team mates a jug of beer. Thankfully, debutant Colin Day was on hand to drive the ball over from close range. Jack Jones again converted. The game then descended into the type of Rugby we try not to play at the crofts; James Holder reacted badly to eye gouging and received a 10 minute period under the Wellesbourne posts to muse on being bested by a scrum half (his firemen colleagues were less than impressed.....). Seeking to take the advantage, Wellesbourne capitalised on an error in the OL’s lineout and scored in the ensuring broken play. If we are honest, the lineout never really worked today, and we are fortunate that we were made to pay only once for this. However, OL’s hit back immediately from the kick off, scoring a stunning try. The ball was passed again from forward to back, each holding their tackler and timing their passes to perfection. Steve Dealtry crossed for his second. The shout “Champagne Rugby” again echoed around the crofts, as the crowd applauded a magnificent counter attack. The final try of the afternoon went to the ever vocal captain Aaron Dudley, charging down a kick and sprinting over from half way. Mr. Jones brought his conversion tally to 5 with the ensuring kick.

All in all, Old Leamingtonians were deserved victors. If we are honest with ourselves there is still plenty of work to do. But the fact that they walked from the field victors by a forty point margin and are STILL wanting to improve states a clear message to all future opponents; we mean business. The standards are high, the effort level is there and this is a side that will accept nothing but the best that can be given.

Man of the match goes to Jack Jones; the full back was the very epitome of confidence and decisiveness. He effortlessly switched to fly half at half time and continued to dictate play from there. The DoD award goes to James “Noddy” Holder for his yellow card antics. Worthy mentions go to Josh “Happy Feet” Turner, Steve Hexall, Colin Day and Steve Dealtry, all of whom played exceptionally well. The Extras are currently undefeated and are relishing the future challenges of the merit league.

Next stop: Ledbury.

All pictures courtesy of Steve Mulcaster