Old Leamingtonians Rugby Football Club Match ReportSaturday 3^rd October 2009

Old Leamingtonians RFC 1^st XV   v   Shipston-on-Stour RFC 1^st XV (League)  

Venue             TheCrofts

Date            Saturday3.10.10

Result            Old Leamingtonians 1^st XV  13   -   18   Shipston-on-Stour RFC 1^st XV    

Another disappointing result for Old Leams as a late try byShipston with minutes to go saw the game swing away. OLs played the first halfagainst strong winds and for most of the half dominated the game. The forwardsplayed particularly well but the good ball won was often wasted by wrongoptions in the threes with the ball being given away. Shipston took the leadwith a well struck penalty but almost immediately flanker Luke Staton scored amemorable try when he collected a loose ball 30 meters out and battled his waythrough the Shipston defences to score near the posts. The score was convertedby David Canning.  OLs held thislead until the stroke of half time when Shipston scored in the corner to givethem a half time lead of 8 points to 5.

The second half gave the OLs the strong wind advantage andthe forwards again dominated the play for the first period of the second halfresulting in a well worked push over try scored by prop Craig Ellis. Theconversion was missed.

From this point Shipston began to get more into the game anda period of pressure mounted on OLs resulted in a try that saw the lead swingto the visitors but a well taken penalty by Canning brought the scores levelwith 15 minutes remaining.

OLs again applied good forward pressure and spent most ofthe time camped in the Shipston 22 but without success. Repeated good ball wonby the forwards failed to travel the threequarter lines with wingers hardlyseeing the ball all day. The forwards however did manage to win a late penaltywide out but the attempted touch kick was unfortunately kicked dead. From theresulting drop out Shipston kicked deep and an attempt at a long clearance fellto Shipston from which they crossed to take the match away from OLs almost on thefinal whistle.

This game was vast improvement on the display of the weekbefore but OLs continue to have a problem in how to convert pressure intopoints. The forwards were outstanding for most of the match but all too oftenconceded well gained ground by surrendering the ball in the rucks and mauls.

Next weeks match is another local derby game at Southam.

Old Leamingtonians RFC Colts XV    v   Earlsdon RFC Colts XV

Venue             TheCrofts

Date            Saturday3.10.09

Result            Old Leamingtonians Colts XV   17   -   3    Earlsdon RFC Colts XV  

OL Colts played Earlsdon in their fifth home game of theseason. As Earlsdon had only one recognised forward the scrums were passivewhich greatly affected OLs game play and this together with strong crosswinds  resulted in a below parfirst half .

During much of the first half OLs were on the back footmatching Earlsdon’s attack with dogged defensive play. The stalemate was brokenat 25 mins when Earlsdon were first to score from a penalty kick but OLsretaliated with a try from Matt Hyam, The score at half time was 5-3.

In the second half a number of changes took place whichseemed to inject much needed intensity into OLs game. After 10 minutes NeilCarter scored a try which was unconverted. Towards the end of the game the leadwas extended when Sean Ditchfield scored a try which was duly converted by ‘manof the match’ Cieran O’Connor. Full Time score was 17 -  3 continuing OL Colts unbeaten run.

OL’s Colts Next game: Away to Southam

Nick Crighton

OLRFCPress & Publicity Officer

07768 775601