04 Sep 10
Midlands 1 West
Old Laurentians 26 – Leamington 5
Laurentians marked their return to Midlands One with an emphatic win over old rivals Leamington at Fenley Field on Saturday. After a bright start by the visitors and an early penalty miss, Denzil Evans took over with a fine kicking display that kept the scoreboard ticking over to capitalise on sustained attacking pressure from OLs.
Driven on by new skipper Glenn Todd, OLs took the game to their visitors and forced regular penalty awards, Evans kicking three to hoist his side to a 9-0 lead after fifteen minutes. Leamington responded with an attacking spell but could find no way through a determined midfield defence, where centres Matt Miller and Danny Murch were outstanding, and the pressure forced an over optimistic pass by the visitors that was snapped up by Simon Bayliss, OL’s wing man running 60 metres to touch down. Evans added the goal points to the try to lift the lead to 16-0 after 24 minutes play.
This was the last act of the game for OL’s record breaking wing as he had earlier received treatment for a leg injury which was aggravated by the try scoring run. This signalled the eagerly anticipated arrival on the pitch of new signing Spencer Brown; but he in turn was forced to leave the action at half time with a hamstring injury, to the disappointment of a large and expectant crowd, and Steve Pike joined the fray as his replacement.
But OLs continued to dominate territory and Evans added another penalty on the half hour to give OLs a comfortable 19-0 lead at the break.
With the pack hunting well in the loose and producing a regular supply of quick ball at the breakdowns, OLs continued to enjoy a full share of territory and possession. Six minutes into the second half, Evans halted an attempted Leamington break out with a crunching tackle, Miller was first on the scene to turn possession over and Evans dinked a finely judged kick into space behind the visitors ‘defence for Murch to gather and race over for a try under the posts. Evans converted with his sixth successful kick from six attempts and a 26-0 lead.
As the game entered the final quarter, Leamington gained some consolation when Tyler touched down in the corner after a cute grubber kick down the blind side by scrum half Northover, but the game was now well out of reach for the visitors.
OLs demonstrated their strength in depth at scrum half when Richard Parker came on to replace Ricky Reed after a typically combative display by the latter. OLs maintained the pressure and a fine, arcing break by Evans was carried on by Parker and Murch but the visitors’ defence just held the thrust, followed by strong drives for the line by Carl Adams and Glenn Todd which were also held up close in.
A very satisfactory start to their campaign in this league for OLs, but tempered by the thought that there are sterner tests to come.
Prompted by an excellent all round display at fly half by Denzil Evans, the centre pairing of Murch and Miller were impregnable in defence and sharp in attack, both enjoying fine games.
Up front, Ben O’Riordan and Paul Willis produced their customary flow of quality ball from the lineouts; and in the tight scrums the pack held up well under strong pressure from a bigger, heavier eight. Particularly noteworthy was the performance of prop Wayne Oliver who lasted the full eighty minutes on his OL’s debut after several years out of competitive rugby, alongside fellow front rowers Ollie Cowley and Garrie Reeve who made their usual, hardworking contributions.
James Orbinson added to his growing reputation as a young flanker of great promise and Scott Wiles, enjoying a relatively trouble free defensive game because of the sterling efforts of those in front of him, was always threatening on the counter in conjunction with Grant Inch.
The day was rounded off with a great party organised by Leah Hope and the Ladies Committee, when a number of those in action earlier were seen in some unusual guises. Catching the eye in their seductive outfits were the uncommonly attractive pair of Scott Wiles and Andy ‘Skinners’ Coleman while the gorilla turned out to be no more threatening than Ben Roberts. Grinchy had turned an unusual shade of green (was it the pork, Grant?) and Captain Toddy looked every inch the warrior he is on the field of play.
And name another rugby club which has pictures of the day’s action, plus a full spread on the following party, on their website by ten o’clock the same night! Step forward for a bow Ray Todd!
Report by Bill Wallis
Wellesbourne 10 v Old Laurentians 35
OLs travelled to Wellesbourne under the leadership this term of James Melvin and returned with a fine victory against game but somewhat limited opposition.
0Ls arrived to find a very narrow pitch which dictated the way the game had to be played, but for the opening 20 minutes they struggled to find any rhythm.
The next 40 were however to be much improved as the visitors started play the phases and crossed the line at regular intervals.
There were several debutants who all showed up well. In particular, centre Ben Shepherd who was a constant threat with ball in hand, and fly half John Bean who controlled the game well.
OLs scores came from Danny Orr, making a most welcome return to the club, who grabbed a brace as did Ben Roberts on his return from injury showing good pace and strength for his pair.
There were singles for John Bean, Raj Patel and Ben Shepherd rounding off a fine individual performance. The outstanding Andy Coleman worked tirelessly all afternoon and Ted Wallis looked sharp at 9. Second row Richard Ette put in a solid performance on his debut and Tom Middleton showed up well when he joined the fray in the second half.
This was an excellent first outing for the 2's and on this form they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Report by Dave Middleton
