Old Leamingtonians entertained Southam for the second time this season. The match marked the beginning of the U17’s league. Old Leamingtonians were seeking revenge after losing to Southam 17-7 in a friendly a few weeks before.

Old Leams started well taking the ball cleanly from the kick-off. The forwards secured the ball well and OL’s started to attack. However, OL’s bright start was short lived with Southam taking control of the game. A quick set of hands from the Southam backs resulted in a score in the corner. OL’s felt hard done by but the try was given nonetheless.



OL’s were solid in defence; centre Rhys Angwin and fly-half Ryan Collins making some huge hits on their opposite numbers. OL’s turned their defence into attack; the ball being secured by the rampant forwards and passed out to a back line beginning to find holes in Southam’s defence. Southam conceded a needless penalty and the ball was kicked into touch. From the line-out Matt Turner rose above all jumpers to take the ball and feed his fellow forwards. A maul was set up and from this Gregg Swinburn eventually crashed over for OL’s first score of the day. Being a Southam boy himself, his post-try celebrations were deafening.

OL’s were then dealt a blow when Ryan Collins damaged his ribs in a tackle. A reshuffle was needed with second-row Sean Ditchfield moving into the backs and Sam Quinlan taking his place in the forwards.

Minutes before halftime, OL’s scored again. The ball was sent out wide to newly converted winger Ditchfield who fell inches from the try line but brilliantly popped the ball up to supporting full-back Tom Appleyard to score a well worked try in the corner.  The halftime whistle went and OL’s went into the break 10-5 ahead.

The second half began with OL’s looking to put more points on the board ahead. OL’s had another chance to score from a line-out near the Southam line. Matt Turner again took the ball from the line-out and this time Rob Smith emerged triumphant from the ruck scoring his first try of the season. Coach Sean Boyle was jubilant after seeing one of his creations perfectly performed. He said “it’s nice to see something practised so hard on the training field put into reality on the pitch”. Sam Boyle took over kicking duty and brilliantly converted a hard kick. Clinical OL’s kept the scoreboard ticking over with Boyle kicking a penalty goal.

Southam hit back scoring a try of their own but Old Leams defended bravely and kept Southam out from more scores and as the final whistle went OL’s celebrated a well-deserved victory. Honorable mentions in despatches should go to centre Adam Thompson; Lee Bodfish bearing a striking resemblance to a little furry cannonball; Rob Smith for impressively bossing affairs in every ruck and maul; Elliot Madge for some bone-crunching tackles; Greg Swinburn for some awesome work in the set piece and typically welsh work in the loose; Sam Boyle for a monumental tackle that left everyone on the touch line wondering how both players were able to continue.

Man of the match this week is split in two; forward and back of the match respectively. Matt Turner wins the forwards accolade for his line out work and tenacity across the park. Phillip Hillyer wins the backs award for some impressive work around the pitch and stopping an almost certain try with a REALLY difficult catch.  Head coach Phil Eales had this to say “OL’s, playing within the laws of the game, deserved to win despite the last ten minutes. We almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.”

Job well done, on to the next game...