03 Oct 09
Midlands 2 West (South)
Kidderminster 7 - Old Laurentians 25
Laurentians rose to third place in the league table after this win at Kidderminster, but the margin of victory would have been far greater if five or six highly kickable penalty and conversion attempts had not been missed.
After Ben Wiles had given OLs an early lead with a penalty, the same player put in one of his many testing kicks over the home defence and right wing Simon Bayliss followed up at pace to gather the ball and go over for a try, Wiles’ conversion lifting the score to 10-0.
Bayliss then repeated the dose with sixteen minutes on the clock, this time after Carl Adams and Richard Parker combined well from a scrum to put the winger away for a score of 15-0.
Kidderminster got a try back from a well controlled driving maul after a lineout, the conversion bringing the score back to 15-7. But territorially the first half belonged to OLs, their best possession coming from lineouts where Paul Willis and Ben O’Riordan were dominant, taking all their own throws and stealing a number of the home side’s.
Early in the second period a Willis catch was taken on by Glenn Todd and driven to the home line, Parker switching the ball left to send Grant Inch over in the corner. Wiles’ conversion attempt bounced back off a post to leave the score at 20-7.
After another superb lineout take, this time by O’Riordan, Iain Wallis drew the defence with a dummy run inside and Wiles fed Matt Miller, who sliced through the defence from 40 metres out for a fine try on thirty minutes
OLs put on a highly satisfying team performance, their pack holding the big Kidderminster eight well, the back row, with scrum half Parker, effectively snuffing out their frequent attempts to drive round the fringes. The backs always looked dangerous with the ball in hand, three tries coming from the wings and the fourth from a centre.
OLs now move on in good heart to this Saturday’s big local derby at Fenley Field against Newbold, a fixture guaranteed to produce a tight and tense encounter. A big crowd is expected, so spectators are advised to arrive early to ensure they can park and get into the ground in time for the 3.00pm kick off.
Report by Bill Wallis
Warwickshire 2nd XV Cup
Old Laurentian 2nd XV 71 – Silhillians 2nd XV 7
OL’s 2nd XV completely dominated their Warwickshire Cup tie against Silhillians, running out very comfortable winners.
OLs domination started early with a try by Andy Coleman, converted by Danny Orr. Further first half tries from Orr, full back Mike Coburn (2) and Ed Wallis saw OLs rack up a 38-0 half-time lead thanks to Orr’s further 3 conversions.
Captain Ricky Reed looked particularly sharp and motivated his side throughout the game and it was no surprise when more tries were added in the second half by wing Ben Roberts (2), second row Eddie Edwards and Matt Coleman, Danny Orr rounding off a fine 31 point individual performance with his hat-trick of tries and a total of 8 conversions. This was particularly impressive given the gusting wind.
OLs 2nds have, this season, displayed a new-found confidence with handling and offloading being superb. Particular recognition should go to Paul Amor, Dan Volkman and Andy Coleman for their involvement in turning over ball, setting up field position and general work rate.
Silhillians never let their heads drop and carried on fighting throughout the game. They should be congratulated for a particularly well-engineered converted try near the end of the match.
Report by Ray Todd
Friendly
Old Laurentian 3rd XV 12 – Nuneaton Old Edwardians 3rd XV 41
OL’s tries came from Kev White and Dean Graham, George Rapsomanikis converting one.
