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to see last seasons reports, click here, Colts reports can be seen here

Clonmell Cup – Final

Old Laurentian 2nds 3 – Lutterworth 2nds 15

Lutterworth retained the Clonmell Cup in a disappointing game that rarely rose above the mediocre, the winners finishing more strongly to clinch a contest that OLs could have sewn up by early in the second half.

In an undistinguished first half, both sides enjoyed periods of pressure but neither could convert it into points. The play was of a staccato nature, with little continuity, and punctuated by a series of penalty awards to OLs. Unfortunately for them, the normally reliable Danny Orr was suffering an off day with his boot and missed three eminently kickable penalties, the first one unluckily bouncing back off a post.

A clear pattern emerged in the forward struggle, with OLs dominant in the set scrums but Lutterworth commanding the lineouts, their tall locks using their advantage to good effect. Half time arrived with the game in stalemate and a 0-0 scoreline.

Early in the second half, Orr missed another close range penalty before finally putting one over for a 3-0 advantage to OLs after eleven minutes. With the fly half in his usual form with the boot, OLs could well have been 15-0 ahead and in the clear by this time.

After an earlier long lecture, the Lutterworth number 5 finally exhausted the referee’s patience and was shown a yellow card. OLs failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority and twenty one minutes into the half, Lutterworth equalised with a penalty. Three minutes later, in the only passage of play in the whole game that had any coherence or continuity, Lutterworth scored a good try through their number four to take the lead for the first time at 8-3.

The Lutterworth pack was now dominant, putting the OL’s eight under increasing pressure with their driving play, and after OLs failed to clear their lines, went over for a second try, converted for a 15-3 lead after thirty six minutes.

There was just time for Ash McEwan to charge over the line from a quickly taken penalty, only to lose control of the ball as he attempted to ground it and OL’s last chance went with it.

Lutterworth ran out deserved winners by virtue of their last quarter effort, when they displayed more hunger and ran in the only tries of the game. OLs had potential match winners in their back line but failed to produce enough quality ball, particularly from second phase possession, to give them any chance to show their paces.

OL’s got off to a great start 2 minutes in to this local derby, as 2^nd row Liam Munro scored on his debut run out for OL’s, John Carruthers converted 0-7. Lions responded within minutes down the left wing and James Collins levelled up the score line 7-7. The game settled down then for 20 minutes until John Carruthers tapped over a penalty and not long after dropped a goal to stretch OL’s lead to 7-13. OL’s were given another penalty inside Lions 22 and decided to go for a try which scrum half Chris Jones duly obliged and John converted for a half time lead of 7-20.

Lions were unlucky when their penalty hit the post after 2 minutes but minutes later made no mistake when gifted another penalty 10-20. Lions were trying hard to get back into the game and if it was not for OL’s steadfast defence the score line would have changed. However it was the combined power of Danny Murch and Mike Lampard for OL’s who moved the scores on in OL’s favour after 22 minutes 10-25. The game was made safe 5 minutes later when Mark Tanner was able to pounce on a optimistic kicked ball to leave the final score 10-30 and a nice way to end the season for OL’s. Next weekend – steer clear of Bournemouth as the lads will be touring down there.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 21 - Earlsdon 0

Earlsdon 14 - OL's 18

OL's 31 - 28 Earlsdon

No Game

Old Laurentians 21 – Earlsdon 0

Laurentians ended their poorest league run for two years with a convincing victory over Earlsdon, in front of thirty five former club skippers at their annual Captains Day.  Those present spanned a period of sixty years, the most senior being Bob Jinks who held the post way back in the 1948/49 season. They witnessed one of OL’s best displays for some time against a side who have enjoyed an excellent season, finishing it a point ahead of OL’s in fourth place.

Set up by a storming display from their pack, OL’s kept a clean sheet defensively for only the second time this season, restricting the visitors’ scoring opportunities to a handful of penalty attempts. Making light of the absence of several leading players, OL’s dominated their opponents from the first whistle, and it took some stubborn defensive work by the visitors to keep the score down.

The midfield trio of Mark Palmer, Ed Wallis and Danny Murch were lively and threatening, Palmer turning the clock back with a vintage display at fly half. Troy Owen made a first team debut on the wing and he looked sound and composed throughout, dealing well with the high kicks that came his way.

A big bonus for OL’s was the return of James Murray at full back after a long injury layoff. He announced himself with a scything break from deep after just ten minutes, a move carried on strongly by prop Chris Le Poidevan that was just held by some scrambling defence from the visitors.

Murray opened the scoring for OL’s after fifteen minutes, putting over a penalty after prolonged OL’s pressure. Dan Volkman and Ricky Reed both went close as OL’s stayed on the offensive; then, after twenty six minutes, more OL’s pressure was halted illegally and the Earlsdon number eight was sin binned, Murray kicking the resultant penalty for a 6-0 lead.

Following the re-start, a thumping midfield tackle by Glenn Todd created an opportunity that was seized on by Murch and he was just held as he went for the line. Then, as half time approached, Palmer took quick lineout possession standing up flat and carved open the defence with a classic break, centre Ed Wallis cutting a good line inside him to be caught just inches from the line. The pack was up quickly in support and second row Dan Volkman charged over for the opening try and an 11-0 half time lead.

OL’s kept up the pressure through the second half but twenty five minutes had passed before Murray kicked another penalty for 14-0. Earlsdon’s frustration was beginning to show in a few petty skirmishes, but OL’s refused to relinquish their stranglehold on the game, even when losing influential number eight Glenn Todd to a yellow card.

The reward for unbroken OL’s pressure came after thirty minutes, when Palmer again initiated a move that was carried on by a half break from Wallis to set up Murch. The centre left the last defender on his back side as he swerved through for a well taken try, converted by Murray.

A dominant performance left OL’s ruing a string of poor showings that consigned them to fifth position in the league, after holding second place at the turn of the year and looking set for a promotion play off place. But it will leave the team in good heart as the planning starts for next season’s campaign, and another drive for promotion.

Earlsdon 2nds 14 – Old Laurentian 2nds 18

As the final score suggests, this was a close game, but in reality OL’s should have won it in the first forty minutes.

In the first half, OL’s allowed Earlsdon to spoil any possession they had resulting in frustration and poor execution of attacking opportunities. Earlsdon took advantage of some poor discipline early on, their forwards driving over for an early try.

OL’s only reply came with a Danny Orr drop goal shortly after Ash McEwan was surprisingly held up over the line, to give a 7-3 half time score in the home side’s favour.

After a few changes to give everyone a run out, the second half saw OL’s dominate possession and Mawande Sinyakanyaja intercepted the ball in his own half to run in for a try, Danny Orr adding the conversion to take his side into a 10-3 lead.

Earlsdon persisted in slowing down the ball illegally and a flurry of yellow cards followed, after one of which Danny Orr slotted a penalty to push the score out to 13-7.

Shortly after, OL’s backs took advantage of some quick lineout ball to combine well and send full back Scott Wiles over for a try in the corner and stretch the lead out to 18-7.

Back to full strength after their yellow cards, Earlsdon managed a late score after a spilt ball allowed their forwards to drive over, the conversion following for a final score to OL’s of 18-14.

The numerous Colts included in the side again played with great maturity and commitment; and with the front row of Fisher, Le May and McEwan totally dominating the set piece, OL’s pacey backs were able to ply their trade effectively so that the result was never really in doubt after the half time break.

The 2nds look to finish their season with some silverware on Sunday in the Clonmell Cup final against Lutterworth and need to take their good recent form into that game.

Training on Thursday night is essential to iron out the type of errors that will be punished by a Lutterworth team who always lift themselves on the big occasion to provide tough opposition.

Old Laurentian 3rds 31 - Earlsdon 3rds 28

This was a game of two halves in every sense as OL's came out of the blocks at 100 mph and stormed to a 24-0 lead by half time. The tone was set early on as fine interplay between forwards and backs saw Dave Longrigg power over for the first score after a fine break from skipper Stu Birch.

This was soon followed by Gary Hammond’s now customary try (his 15th of the season!) driving over from close range. OL’s were dominant at this stage in all areas with the forwards overwhelming their opponents and Daz Price kicking beautifully from hand to create good field position. This led to former 1st XV scrum half Steve Hewitt, a welcome guest for the day, darting over for a trade mark score, Price finding his goal kicking boots to add the extras.

The final score of the half went to skipper Birch, a just reward for his first half efforts as he bulldozed his way over from the tail of a line out, Price converting. OL’s came out for the second half looking like a different team and Earlsdon soon registered a couple of soft scores as the home side took their foot off the gas.

A mixture of poor handling and bad options saw OL’s spurn numerous chances as Earlsdon sensed they could claw back the deficit and went over for their third score to reduce the difference to 24-21. But OL’s managed to string a few phases together and John Brimley burst through to claim a fine try, Price again successful with the kick.

This should have seen OL’s home but poor discipline let Earlsdon back in again for a final score to set up a tight finish. But some excellent defence kept them out to see OL’s home to a hard fought win, completing a clean sweep over Earlsdon on the day.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

Berkswell & Ballsall 11- OL's 10

OL's 69 - Berkswell & Ballsall 0

No Game

No Game

Berkswell & Balsall 11 - Old Laurentians 10

OL’s went down by a single point in an uninspiring display against a dour and limited Berkswell side. But the home team just about deserved their narrow win, dominating the second half when they had the slope and wind in their favour and gripping Laurentians in a stranglehold from which they couldn’t break loose.

OL’s started well enough and good pressure on the home side produced a penalty that was converted by Mark Palmer for an early 3-0 lead. After twenty minutes, Berkswell drew level with a penalty; but a period of mid pitch stalemate meant that neither side had threatened the try lines by this point.

This changed after Chris le Poidevan stole a Berkswell lineout ball, which was moved quickly out to Matt Miller. The left wing beat two men before finding Iain Wallis on his outside, and although the centre was left with a lot to do, he outstripped the remaining defenders in a run along the touch line before cutting in to score under the posts, Palmer adding the goal points for a 10-3 lead.

Five minutes later the half time break was reached and OL’s had failed to impose themselves on the game and build a lead from which to go on and win it. Berkswell’s pack had dominated the set scrummages and continued to do so as they occupied OL’s territory for most of the second period. Laurentians, however, were winning the lion’s share of lineout possession with another athletic display by Jeff Thomas, but were finding it difficult to convert this into territory, let alone points.

Ten minutes into the half, Glenn Todd, having another powerful game, stole Berkswell ball a few metres from his own line and Mark Palmer’s clearance kick, from behind the try line, unluckily hit a goal post and bounced into touch in goal. From the resultant five metre scrum, the ball was moved quickly to the left and the home side’s inside centre barrelled over from close range. The conversion was missed, to leave the score delicately balanced at 8-10.

Twenty two minutes into the half, the referee awarded a scrum to Berkswell just inside OL’s half but changed this to a penalty after what he considered to be unnecessary back chat. The Berkswell full back stepped up and banged it over the posts for his side to take the lead for the first time at 11-10, a lead that they held to the end.

The longer the game went on, the less OL’s seemed likely to score.  Their handling was frequently below the standard they are clearly capable of and communication was poor, leading to errors and loss of possession.

After starting out as one of the clear favourites for promotion at the start of the season, OL’s can now finish no higher than fifth in the league table. This Saturday they entertain Earlsdon in the season’s final league game. Their visitors are now three points ahead of OL’s in fourth and were responsible for putting paid to the Bilton side’s promotion hopes in the corresponding game last season, so a win would restore some lustre to the season.

Old Laurentian 2nds 69 -   Balsall & Berkswell 2nds 0

OL’s 2nds restored the natural order of things with a resounding victory over Berkswell’s 2^nd string and, in doing so, regained some pride for the club.

OL’s totally dominated their visitors from the start, with a virtuoso performance from the whole team. With a solid platform from the forwards in both set pieces and the loose, the backs had a plentiful supply of good ball and cut open their opponents at will.

OL’s started the game at breakneck speed and moved the ball around the field, producing plenty of quickly rucked ball. Fine handling and support play produced tries aplenty, with seven coming in the first half alone, Kev White, Mike Coburn (2), Mawande Sinyakanyaja, Gary Hammond (2) and Dave Middleton all crossing the line before the break.  Danny Orr added four conversions, for a half time score of .43-0.

OL’s made several changes at half time but this did not alter the pattern of the game as they continued to pull their opponents apart at every opportunity. Gary Hammond completed his hat trick and added to an already impressive try tally this season, Ben Nuttall continued to impress, crossing the line twice, and Dave Middleton went over for his second of the afternoon. Steve Pike had by now taken over the kicking duties, and converted three of the four tries added to OL’s tally in the second half.

This was a fine performance as OL’s played some of their best rugby of the season, with every member of the team contributing to an emphatic victory. The first try saw the team pass the five hundred point mark in a season when they have always set out to play entertaining and open rugby.

April 5th

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

Towcestrians 14 - OL's 17

OL's - Towcestrians

Towcestrians - OL's

No Game

March 29th

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 3 - Droitwich 23

OL's 50 - Bakers' Butts 12

Vets Champs

OL's 10 - Nuneaton39

March 22nd

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

No Game

No Game

No Game

No Game

March 15th

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 21- Market Bosworth 14

Old Leams 31 - OL's 7

OL's 10- Old Warks 0

No Game

Old Laurentians ‘A’ 21 – Market Bosworth ‘A’ 14

OL’s returned to winning ways in an entertaining match that was used by both teams to give an outing to new and untried players at this level. It also gave the opportunity for Carl Adams and Glenn Todd to work back to match fitness for OL's after injury layoffs and both featured prominently in a much needed and well earned victory for the home side.

Bosworth demonstrated their attacking intentions early on and only a superb covering tackle by Glenn Todd prevented an early score for the visitors. Then after ten minutes of relentless pressure from Bosworth, Todd skilfully stole the ball in a tackle to set up a movement that saw full back Steve Pike make good ground before releasing to Ed Wallis for the centre to run in for the game’s first score, fly half Danny Orr adding the goal points

The visitors continued to dominate territorially but were hit by another swift counter attack by OL’s after twenty two minutes, when a storming run by prop Chris Le Poidevan was carried on by right wing Simon Bayliss. After the attack had been halted on the wide right the ball was swiftly transferred to the other wing, where Matt Miller beat his man on the outside and handed off another defender to go over for a fine try, again converted by the impressive Orr.

Bosworth got the try that their first half attacking efforts had earned when their pack drove over after thirty minutes play, the conversion bringing the score back to 14-7; and it took a magnificent tackle by Le Poidevan to save a certain try and ensure that OL’s still held that lead at the half time break.

As Bosworth had dominated territory in the first half, so OL’s took over in the second, the home pack gaining the upper hand in scrum and lineout, and the third OL’s try was both made and finished by the forwards. Jeff Thomas won a lineout and timed his release perfectly to number eight Carl Adams as he doubled back towards the blind side, from where he put hooker Mark Todd over. The try was superbly converted from the touchline by Danny Orr to crown a polished and assured performance by the debutant.

Bosworth stayed in contention well and finished the scoring after thirty three minutes from a quickly taken free kick for a scrum offence deep in OL’s half, quick passing giving their outside centre the chance to go over wide out for a try that was converted with a fine kick by their fly half.

OL’s gave second half debuts at this level to young South African recruits Mawande Sinyakanyaja and Ross Tonkin and each was impressive in both attack and defence, Mawande getting several opportunities to demonstrate his electric pace and elusive running.

A Laurentian touring party will be in Bournemouth this weekend and those remaining will host Huntingdon in a ‘B’ team fixture at Fenley Field, kick off 3.00pm.

Old Leamingtonians 2nds 31 – Old Laurentians ‘B’ 7

When OLs met OLs it was the Leamington variety who used their forward power and strength to dominate a smaller, youthful Laurentian pack and set up a convincing win for their team. The home side took an early lead with a try, soon adding a second to stretch further ahead.

When Laurentians did win decent possession their back line looked lively and penetrative, and the team’s only score came from a fine try by fly half John Carruthers, who converted his own touch down.

Laurentians started the second half well, camping on Leam’s line, but were unable to add to their score. Leams took over for the final quarter, adding three more tries to finally crush spirited OL’s resistance and Laurentians were denied the second try that their efforts had earned by a forward pass with the line beckoning.

Prominent in the Laurentian display were Danny Treharne and converted wing Mike Coburn in the pack; and the highly promising John Carruthers at fly half.

Old Laurentian Veterans 10 – Old Warwickians 0

OL’s Vets started the preparation for the defence of their trophy at the South Warwickshire Veterans Tournament on 30^th March with this game

OL's started brightly and after several phases moving them from one 22 to the other, the ball reached Daz Price who cut through a large hole in the defence to register the first try of the game.

OL's dominated all areas with a solid scrum and  Spriggs and Sherriffs ruling the line out, so there was a constant supply of ball. But a combination of wrong options and inconsistent refereeing meant the game became stop-start and no further scores were added by half time.

OL's unfortunately lost winger John Linnell with a broken ankle which saw Russ Parkinson come on in the unfamiliar role of wing three quarter.

The second half continued in the same vein with OL's dominating everything except the ref's whistle and after a spate of cards for both teams it was left to Garry Hammond to drive over the line after a line out on the 22.This was to be the end of the scoring as the game deteriorated further and the teams were glad to hear the final whistle to put them out of their misery.

March 8th

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

Kidderminster 36 - OL's 12

Market Bosworth - OL's

OL's - Market Bosworth

No Game

Midlands Three West – South

Kidderminster  36 - Old Laurentians 12

OL's travelled to Kidderminster to face a mid table side who have competed effectively all season and have always been difficult to beat and approached this game with some trepidation and low in confidence, after three straight defeats and with a team missing a number of key players.

But at half time, having faced a strong wind and driving rain in the first half, OL's looked to be on course for a much needed win with the scores level at 5-5. The picture looked even brighter after ten minutes of the second half, when Laurentians moved into a well deserved 12-5 lead with a superbly taken try by Danny Murch.

But then Kidderminster increased their pace and effort and scored a further 31 points without reply, to run out convincing winners and leave OL's scratching their heads and trying to work out how this game got away from them.

The Fenley Field side fought well in the first half and contained the Kidderminster kicking game well. Tom Gleghorn and Jeff Thomas made the line outs their own and the home side’s possession was regularly disrupted in the tight. OL's opened the scoring when fine play by the pack set up the position for Ricky Reed to dive over for a try after fifteen minutes.

But Kidderminster struck back ten minutes later to level the scores, their scrum half going over wide out. The reminder of the half saw OL's on top, with Miller and Iain Wallis both running strongly and Murch skilfully fielding a cross field kick from Denzil Evans in space only for the final pass to go forward.   

Turning round with the elements in their favour, OL's started the second half as brightly as they had finished the first. After ten minutes, and in only his second start for the first team, Danny Murch scythed through the home defence for a fine try that restored OL's lead. The goal points were added by John Carruthers, a half time replacement for the injured Evans and making his league debut for the club.

But the final twenty five minutes belonged exclusively to the home team as they ran the ball at a tiring OL's defence and added five tries without reply. The earlier drive and cohesion displayed by Laurentians evaporated completely and they capitulated to a fitter side who in the second half had adapted their tactics to suit the conditions far more effectively than their opponents.

Laurentians travel to Berkswell and Balsall for another tough test this Saturday, now with an injury doubt hanging over skipper Denzil Evans to add to a lengthening list. Four consecutive defeats have torpedoed their season and they now only have pride to play for with just three league games remaining.

Old Laurentian 2nds 21 – Bedworth 2nds 10

Veteran Principalians Rhys Wade and Eddie Edwards marshalled a mixture of colts and regular 2nd teamers to a third victory over local rivals Bedworth this season. The colts were influential in all the scoring with the flying Mawande Sinyakanyaja (Randy) adding another brace of electric tries with Rhys Wade finishing off a combined backs move for a try. Randy has now played three games for OL's and totted up six tries. Danny Orr completed the scoring adding all 3 conversions to cap a mature and solid game in defence and attack.

The majority of possession came from line outs, from both OL’s and Bedworth’s throws, and was used to attack from all over the pitch. But OL's were made to work a bit harder at the scrum and untidy ball meant the margin of the win was not more comfortable, as Bedworth used their heavier forwards to score a try at the end of each half to give a slightly misleading final score line of 21-10.

Danny Treherne, Ross Tonkin and Mitch showed versatility in playing out of position in the backline and made valuable contributions throughout the game. More chances were created but spoiling tactics and some flagrant offside play kept the scoreboard from showing a true reflection of the difference between the sides.

Old Laurentian 3rds 27 – Market Bosworth 3rds 39

OL's faced a strong Bosworth side and having lost the toss played into a strong wind in the first half. The pack started in fine form dominating the lineout and scrum, and employing the driving maul to keep Bosworth in their own half. However when Bosworth gained possession and moved the ball wide it was clear to see where their advantage was to be.

 OL's registered their first score when Birch went on a trade mark thundering run and was held up short, to find the impressive Ben Nuttall in support to force his way over. OL's scored again when from a planned move at the scrum the pack drove Gary Hammond over for his now customary try.

But Bosworth registered three scores of their own which owed as much to OL's mistakes as the backs superior pace. OL's scored again before half time when Birch managed to pick up a pass off his boot laces and again find Nuttall in support to claim his second try.

The second half saw Bosworth dictate the play and having secured possession it was left to the backs to go through their paces and register four more tries, two being converted. OL's were not finished though and never gave up the cause; and after Foster touched down in the corner, Marsella barrelled his way over from close range, Price adding the conversion.

This was a fine team effort against a very strong outfit, with notable contributions from Dougherty, Birch and Hammond up front. Had it not been for basic errors the score could, and should, have been a lot closer.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 10 - Old Ed's

OL's 10 - Lions 12

Midlands Three West – South

Old Laurentians 10 – Nuneaton Old Edwardians 19

Laurentians turned out in this game sporting a new change strip which was formally presented before the match by Lawrence Webb, managing director of Webb Ellis, sponsors and official kit suppliers to the club.

Sadly, the smart new strip was not matched by performance and they succumbed lamely to an Old Eds side that was far more purposeful and committed and carried too much firepower up front for the home side. The absence of several key players could be offered in mitigation – certainly Carl Adams, Paul Willis and Glenn Todd would have stiffened the forward effort. But this shouldn’t be a problem for a side widely acknowledged earlier this season as promotion candidates when up against opponents who have been in the bottom half of the table throughout.

With a gusting wind at their backs, OL’s took an early lead when Dave Longrigg was sent over for a try by Chris le Poidevin, the goal points being added by Denzil Evans for 7-0. But the visitors’ pack took control and was dominant by the second quarter, pinning OL’s in their own half with pick and drive tactics that they struggled to contain.

A half time lead of 7-0 looked inadequate as Laurentians turned round to face the elements and opponents who sensed a rare victory at Fenley Field. Ed’s pack were now on top in the set scrums and their forceful back row, prompted by the wily Paul Mitchell at scrum half, were regularly making inroads into the home side’s defence.

Ten minutes into the half, a pass was spilled as OL’s attempted to run from deep and the dangerous Ben Helsby on Eds right wing snaffled the ball to run in from thirty metres, full back Duncan Carter converting the try to level the score at 7-7. Ten minutes later, after Carter missed with a penalty attempt, Eds ran the drop out back and number eight Tej Kalirai shrugged off tackles to set up the position from which Helsby went over for his second try and  a 7-12 lead.

OL’s only fruitful source of possession was the lineout, where Jeff Thomas reigned supreme, aided by some pin point throwing from hooker Mark Todd. But with little possession from scrums, and second phase possession laboured and slow, OL’s backs had few chances to show their paces and were held in check by a strong Eds midfield defence.

Although Evans reduced the deficit with a well struck penalty after twenty five minutes, Eds soon went further ahead when their pack wrecked another  scrum to win possession and drive hooker Sam Wilson over for the decisive score, Carter converting the try to seal the victory.

A late flurry by OL’s was comfortably held for Eds to claim the league points and leave the home side facing the risk of their season imploding at the end for the second year in succession. They face a tricky visit to Kidderminster this Saturday, urgently needing to improve their commitment and organisation.

Nuneaton Old Edwardians 2nds 36 - Old Laurentian 2nds 21

 travelled to Nuneaton with a side featuring only three players over 30 and five colts, and as Eds took to the field OL’s thought they had arrived in the land of the giants as from one to fifteen Ed's appeared to be a foot taller and five stone heavier.

This physical advantage set the tone for the game and Eds dominated the break down and made life very difficult in the tight. However, after the home side registered an early try OL’s came right back into the game. Number 8 Middleton rescued the ball from a retreating scrum and it was fed down the line for young Springbok Mawande Sinyakanyaja to show his pace and score under the posts, Danny Orr adding the conversion.

This score gave OL’s belief and despite having little ball they scored again when the ball found its way again to the livewire Mawande and his pace was too much for the Ed’s defence as he broke through and raced over from half way, Orr adding the conversion.

Edwardians then scored another unconverted try through their pack to bring the half time whistle with OL’s leading 14-10. The second half continued in the same vein and despite some outstanding defence led by Andy Orbison, Garrie Reeve and Ross Tonkin, Ed’s forward power saw them score three more tries before James Morgan muscled his way over for OL’s, Orr again adding the extras.

OL’s were now tiring and giving away a number of penalties, which the Eds number 10 duly converted; and with the powerful Ed’s number 8 crossing the line at the death, the game was over. Although OL’s lost, they can take great pride in the way they played with everyone contributing to the defensive effort. Colts Danny Orr and Chris Jones at half back both made impressive debuts but man of the match was Garrie Reeve, who never took a backward step and threw himself wholeheartedly into the defensive cause.

Old Laurentians 3rds 61 – Nuneaton Old Edwardians 3rds 0

The 3rds went some way towards restoring  pride with a handsome win against Eds, the only one recorded on the day against the Nuneaton club.

The foundations for the win were laid by a dominant forward performance, at the heart of which was probably the oldest second row combination ever to be fielded by Old Laurentians. John Tull and Andy Spriggs boast a combined age of 110, and, according to prop Leigh Fisher, ensured the most comfortable scrums the team’s front row has experienced for many a long day.

In another one for the record books, Ian Bracken, whose normal habitat is the hurling fields of Ireland, came on for his first ever game of rugby football as a replacement and scored a try with his very first touch of the ball.

Tim Dougherty exploited the absence of Gary Hammond to claim three tries and draw level with the latter as the team’s leading try scorer, both now on eight for the season. The other tries contributing to a total which saw the 3rds become the top team in the club for points scored this season were from James Orbison (2), Andy Spriggs, Leigh Fisher, Josh Brimley, Adam from Long Buckby and Mike Lampard. Pete Rigg kicked two conversions and Kev White added one.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 8 - Kenilworth 58

OL's 10 - Lions 12

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 12 - Sutton 51

B team fixture cancelled at last moment

OL's - Syston

Any lingering promotion ambitions still harboured by OL’s were totally demolished by league leaders and champions-elect Sutton Coldfield in this rout in the leafy suburbs of Birmingham. Laurentians were thrust aside by a dominant Sutton outfit that showed no sign of being distracted by the imminence of their EDF Senior Vase national quarter final this weekend.

A weakened OL’s side had their moments, and actually took an early lead with the game’s first try. But they couldn’t sustain any sort of momentum, falling away badly at the end as Sutton scored almost at will to complete a nine try haul - and with a kicker in their side they would have passed sixty points.

Veteran Mark Palmer was again required for duty at 10 in the absence of skipper Denzil Evans and he deftly created an opening for Iain Wallis after just three minutes, the centre breaking a tackle to go over from 22 metres. This lead was held until the eleventh minute, when from a scrum on OL’s 22 the home scrum half combined well with his back row to send the number eight over for a try that levelled the scores.

Laurentians’ midfield trio of Palmer and the Wallis brothers frequently found themselves outnumbered as the big, hard running Sutton back row spearheaded their side’s attacks. They tackled everything coming their way, but the attacking tide was relentless; and when the ball reached the flanks the home side had expert finishers in their wings and full back, this combination creating and scoring their side’s second try for a 12-5 lead after sixteen minutes play.

For the next twenty minutes, OL’s stayed in contention; but the last five minutes of the half saw the home side stretch away to a winning lead with two tries. The first came after OL’s had successfully defended a forward drive from a penalty lineout, but then a vital tackle was missed as a lock forward drove over to score.

The wayward re-start kick was gratefully accepted by the Sutton number eight in the wide open spaces away from the OL’s pack. He ran straight through the Laurentian defence to send his left wing away for a simple try - and suddenly OL’s were down by 24-5 as the half time whistle went.

Sutton exploited missed tackles early in the second half to put their centre over and stretch the lead out to 29-5. But OL’s responded positively and briefly threatened a revival with a flurry of attacks, Iain Wallis creating the opening for his brother Ted to go over for a try which Palmer converted, to reduce the deficit to 29-12.

But Sutton took over completely in the final quarter, scoring four more tries as OL’s resistance melted away. The Sutton eight were now totally in charge and twice drove over from line outs to score,  the first from fifteen and the second twenty metres from OL’s line.

For OL’s, the back line defended stoutly but had few opportunities in attack as good possession was in limited supply. Up front, veteran props Russ Kennedy and Ash McEwan put in their stints and their contributions have been invaluable in recent weeks as OL’s struggle for specialists in this department; and wing forwards Glenn Todd and Jeff Thomas had fine games, never shirking the tackle and always in the thick of the action.

This Saturday, Laurentians make the short journey to Kenilworth to take on the Midlands One side in the quarter final round of the Coors Warwickshire Cup. Injury problems mean that key players Denzil Evans and Carl Adams will not be available; doubts still surround James Murray’s recovery and Paul Willis’s availability after another recurrence of his knee problems; and Mark Palmer will be in Paris following England’s fortunes, leaving a serious selection headache at fly half.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 48 - Edwardians 11

OL's v Barkers' Cancelled

OL's 33 - Old Cov's 10

OL's - St Andrews

Midlands 3 West (South)

Old Laurentians 48 – Edwardians 11

This match, against the side rooted at the foot of the league table, was one that Laurentians were expected to win, and win handsomely, and a re-shaped team did all that was asked of them, scoring eight tries and conceding just one.

Mark Palmer was called out of semi retirement for his first appearance in OL’s top side this season and looked like he had never been away, displaying all his skills at number 10 and scoring one of his side’s tries. He was able to capitalise on an abundance of possession and regularly launch a backline that ultimately had too much pace and power for their opponents. But Edwardians put on a spirited show and were clearly a better side than the one that conceded sixty points in a shortened game earlier in the season.

OL’s pack established a position of dominance by the break, regularly taking Edwardians line out ball and putting them under pressure at set scrums. But there was a tendency On OL’s part to force the game and to be over ambitious, when the simple option was often the best one.

Matt Miller set the ball rolling with a try wide out as OL’s got into gear with eight minutes gone. But Edwardians countered just five minutes later, levelling the score with a try by Lancaster after an OL’s clearing kick had been charged down. The visitors held all OL’s best efforts for the next ten minutes, and claimed their share of possession. But after a prolonged period of attacking play and five successive phases, OL’s pressure told and Palmer went over in the corner to restore their lead at 10-5.

After a decisive break by Iain Wallis was carried on by brother Ted, Dave Longrigg took the scoring pass to dot down OL’s third score as the half hour approached, before Eds got three points back with a penalty from Coulson. But OL’s response came quickly, hooker Mark Todd supporting an attack to sprint over for his side’s fourth try. OL’s were making life difficult for kicker Ben Wiles by touching down wide out, so limiting their lead at half time to just 20-8.

Eds started the second half brightly and for the first twenty five minutes limited OL’s to one score, after ten minutes, when Palmer slipped a short, flat pass to Iain Wallis cutting in on the angle, the centre slicing open Eds defence to go over. Wiles converted for 27-8.

Coulson fired over another penalty for Eds to reduce the deficit after twenty five minutes, before several phases of Laurentian attack were finished by Iain Wallis for his second try, Palmer taking over the kicking duties to add the extra points for a 34-11 lead.

Mark Todd put the seal on another personal performance of all round action to claim his second touchdown, followed shortly by replacement Simon Bayliss, whose pace was too much for a tiring defence as he went over from thirty metres for the final try. Palmer converted both to complete the scoring.

The win meant that OL’s held on to third place in the league table. But this Saturday they face their toughest test yet, when travelling to play leaders Sutton Coldfield in a match which could well define the outcome of their season. They face a number of injury worries, the latest being to number eight Carl Adams, a key player in the drive for promotion.

Old Coventrians 3rds 10 – Old Laurentian 3rds 33

In what was his last appearance of the season in OL’s colours, Jody Roderick signed off triumphantly with a hat trick of tries from the wing to see his side home against their Coventry rivals.

Having won the toss, OL’s skipper Birch elected to take the deep end of a pitch that had clearly suffered the ravages of winter! His side started at a furious pace, and with the forwards winning a plentiful supply of quick ball and Daz Price pulling the strings from fly half it wasn't long before Jody Roderick claimed the first score.

This set the pattern for the game and with the front row of Parkinson, Chambers and Reeve dominating the scrum and the salmon like Middleton controlling the lineout, OL’s scores came at regular intervals. Roderick claimed his second and stalwarts Dougherty and Hammond went over for one apiece, all converted by the ever reliable boot of Price.

The second half saw OL’s make some changes in personnel, with Kev White moving to 10 after Price discovered his long lost hamstring; and skipper Birch, having given his all in the second row, allowed the late arrivals a run out. The changes allowed OCs back into the game and they registered two unconverted tries before Roderick completed his hat trick to round off the scoring.

This was a fine performance from OL’s 3rds with everyone contributing, the highlight being the appearance of a second row in 'skins' and the irrepressible Hammond in the back row, whilst Price was at his majestic best at fly half and the dogged Stu Birch made his presence felt in the engine room

Old Laurentian Colts 26 – Rugby St Andrews Colts 10

Laurentian Colts started this game unbeaten since October, but were made to work hard to preserve that record by their local rivals, who came back strongly in the second half to make a real contest of it.

OL’s started with five subs on the bench but with several key personnel unavailable and it was a familiar face, and top try scorer, Danny Treharne who went over for the first OL’s try after four minutes play (5-0). St Andrews fought back strong and hard but never really threatened OL’s try line. Then Treharne managed to wriggle away from his tacklers to score again after twelve minutes, Dom Hammond slotting the conversion between the uprights for 12-0.

Saints looked a stronger side than the last time that these two met, but full back Chris Jones danced and swerved from the half way line to ground under the posts, Hammond converting for 19-0. Just before the half ended, Troy Owen winged his way through and Hammond again added the goal points for a half time lead of 26-0.

In the previous match between the sides, OL’s led 0-29 at half time and went on to win 0-48. This time, however, it was to be a different story as Saints fought back strongly in the second half to register two scores and shut OL’s out.

There was much movement on and off the bench as the Laurentian side was shuffled to give everyone a run out. Then twenty minutes into the second half, Saints’ Christian Enifer went over for a try to reduce the deficit to 26-5 Ten minutes later the visitors were rewarded again, this time from a short line out when they got over OL’s line for their second try, the one that turned out to be the last score in a hard fought encounter.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 33 - Stourbridge 24

OL's v Southam Cancelled
OL's 7 - Old Leams 10

OL's 52 - Kenilworth 7

OL's - Kenilworth
Cancelled

Midlands 3 West (South)

Old Laurentians 33 – Stourbridge Lions 24

Whilst Laurentians always had this game in hand, scoring four good tries, a combination of poor ball retention and carelessness allowed their opponents to match the try count with four of their own. Stourbridge are languishing in the league basement with just three wins from fifteen league games this season and this should have been an opportunity for OL’s to boost their points difference before tougher tests to come. But the visitors played with a lot of determination, defended well throughout and were quick to take advantage of OL’s lapses.

As early as the second minute OL’s were handicapped by the loss of James Murray, their most penetrating strike runner, when he pulled a muscle and was replaced by James Morgan. Then, after Denzil Evans had kicked his customary drop goal with six minutes gone, Morgan made an early impact when he shimmied over for a well taken try after quick hands had created a half chance. Evans converted for a 10-0 lead after twenty minutes play. This was increased to 13-0 when Evans stroked over a penalty from 40 metres.

Then, with two minutes to go before half time, OL’s attempted a quick lineout throw on their own 22 which went straight to a Stourbridge player. In scrambling back to defend, OL’s fell offside and from a quickly taken penalty, right wing Cox went over in the corner, Collins converting superbly from the touchline to bring the score back to 13-7.

To close the half, Evans fired over another 40 metre penalty goal for OL’s to go into the break 16-7 to the good.

Inside the first ten minutes of the second period, OL’s went further ahead with two well taken tries. Glenn Todd drove over from fifteen metres after a lineout for his first try in OL’s colours, just reward for another game of hard work and high commitment, Evans adding the goal points for 23-7.

Then, after Matt Miller skilfully regained possession from a kick ahead, Evans built on driving play by Longrigg and Glenn Todd to make the opening from which Iain Wallis strode over from twenty two metres to push the score out to 28-7.

With fifteen minutes of the half gone, Stourbridge struck back after OL’s failed to retain possession when driving out from a defensive lineout. Stourbridge punished the lapse by creating the opportunity for Cox to go over for his second try wide out and reduce the deficit to 28-12. Five minutes later, OL’s were guilty once more of coughing up possession, again Stourbridge were quick to seize on the ball, this time sending left wing Chance over in the corner, for 28-17

A further ten minutes passed before quickly recycled ball after a Longrigg run gave Charlie Turney the opportunity to evade several attempted tackles and dive over in the corner to stretch OL’s lead to 33-17, with the conversion missed. But the visitors struck back again on the stroke of full time when OL’s defence was caught napping after a quickly taken penalty, lock forward Kelly going over for a try under the posts which was converted by Collins in the last act of a match that had been excellently refereed in a firm but sympathetic manner throughout by Luke Haskins.

This was the last game in OL colours for young American centre Nick Johnson, who returns to Minneapolis this week, leaving a big gap to fill. As well as James Murray, OL’s also have injury worries, ahead of the home league game against Edwardians this Saturday, over Denzil Evans and Charlie Turney who both finished the game limping.

Old Leamingtonian 2nds 10 – Old Laurentian 2nds 7

With Southam conceding the Clonmell Cup fixture OL's travelled to Leamington for a pool fixture.

Laurentians took to the field on a bitterly cold afternoon and were faced with the biggest pack they had encountered for many a year. Old Leams policy of stick it up your jumper rugby was effective against the much smaller OL's pack and despite some manful defending by Nealon and Coleman, they soon bulldozed their way over the line for a converted try and a 7-0 lead.

OL’s for their part tried to move the ball, but with little clean possession from set pieces failed to trouble the Leam's line. OL’s finally registered a score just before half time when slick handling presented the versatile Steve Pike with a run in under the posts, which he duly converted to level the score at 7-7.

The second half continued in the same vein, but with OL’s unable to clear rucks to any effect, quality ball was in short supply. Leams registered a penalty to regain the lead, but, despite creating several opportunities, OL’s failed to score again. The game finished with Old Leams having sneaked home 10-7, a win they clearly relished as judging by their reaction one would have assumed they had just gained promotion!

This was a game best forgotten but there were still positive performances from Rich Hayes, Richard Foxon and the sensational running of Dave Wallis from fullback.

Old Laurentian 3rds 52 – Kenilworth 3rds 7

OL’s ran riot at the expense of a Kenilworth side whose performance surprisingly failed to reflect the club’s standing as a Midlands 1 outfit at the senior level.

Laurentians scored regularly from the first whistle, their pack providing a stream of quality possession that gave them the opportunity to run in eight tries. Welcome first appearances were made by two young South African players, Ross Tonkin and Mawande Sinyakanyaja, the latter already christened Randy for convenience! The club are wondering whether they now have the next Brian Habana in their midst, as Randy starred with some electric running which brought him two tries and set up numerous opportunities for others.

Also contributing to the try fest were Kev White (2), Rich Hughes, Marc Owen, Jody Roderick and Daz Price, the latter adding the goal points to all but one of the tries to continue a prolific scoring season for him.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 27
Leamington 36

OL's 42
Leamington 15

OL's 13
Leamington 26

OL's 34
Leamington 10

Leamington 36 – Old Laurentians 27

Laurentians slumped to a disappointing defeat against a side that showed far more hunger and determination for the full eighty minutes to run out ultimately as comfortable winners.

This outcome didn’t seem likely in the first quarter as OL’s started brightly and were 13-0 ahead with just 15 minutes on the clock. Although half time was reached with OL’s 20-12 to the good, their hold on the game had become increasingly fragile as the home side were beginning to dominate. Then in the second period Leamington took control and stretched away to add 24 points to their tally before Laurentians recorded a late goal to add a veneer of respectability to the score.

In the opening period, Denzil Evans converted territorial supremacy into an early 6-0 lead with two penalty goals; then added the goal points to an Iain Wallis try after a scything break by full back James Murray had set up the position.

Then with twenty minutes gone, Leamington’s fly half Secher juggled a wayward pass from his scrum half, but instead of being buried without trace made good ground down the blind side to set up the position from which centre Ward strolled over for Leamington’s first try, Secher adding the goal points.

The Spa pack were now dominating at close quarters and, with twenty five minutes gone, drove over OL’s line to touch down, Secher’s conversion kick bouncing back from a post to leave OL’s still ahead at 13-12. With half time approaching, OL’s did put together a rare passage of constructive play that was well finished by Murray after smart interplay in midfield by Evans and Johnson. Evans converted for a 20-12 lead.

Early in the second period, Secher pulled back three points for the home side with a penalty before a spell of constant Leamington pressure led to a try for centre Carroll. Secher added the goal points to give his side the lead for the first time in the match at 22-20, after eighteen minutes of the half.

After Leamington turned over OL’s possession in midfield, Secher wafted through some indifferent tackling to go over for a try that he converted and a lead of 29-20. Then, after Wallis intercepted a Leamington pass on OL’s 22 and ran 60 metres before being hauled down with no support in sight, the same player threw a speculative pass inside as OL’s attempted to run out of defence. Unfortunately for him the closest player was Leam centre Carroll, who gratefully accepted the gift to canter over for his second try, Secher once more adding the extras.

With Leamington now totally in charge of the game, OL’s attacking efforts were easily held until a late flurry produced a try from Ricky Reed, converted by Evans. 

For OL’s, flankers Glenn Todd and Jeff Thomas worked tirelessly in their team’s cause. Laurentians were knocked out of their stride by aggressive midfield and fringe defence that often erred on the wrong side of the offside line, but Leamington sensibly took advantage of the refereeing of this aspect of the game to put their opponents under pressure; and the home side’s ball carriers ran strongly, with too many first up tackles missed by the Bilton men. OL’s performances continue to swing between the impressive and the indifferent and with this sort of showing their ambition of seriously challenging for promotion this season looks optimistic without more consistency.

Old Laurentian 2nds 42 – Leamington 2nds 15

OL’s took to the field bolstered by three guest players from Rugby Lions and started the game at a frantic pace, with the forwards tearing into rucks but having little or no control over the ball, making scrum half  Scott Whyment's job virtually impossible. OL’s lack of control led to Leamington securing possession and from a five metre lineout they drove over for the game’s first score.

This seemed to galvanise Laurentians and with a steady stream of quality ball it wasn't long before the impressive Danny Facer, in the unaccustomed position of centre, crashed over, with Pike adding the extras. OL’s then took control of the game and with the forwards winning the lions share of possession, and Stephen 'Cipriani' Pike using the ball superbly, Facer thundered over for his second try, Pike converting again..

OL’s were now cutting open Leam's defence at will, Tristram Wati showing his class with ball in hand, but dropped passes and woeful drop goal attempts squandered scoring opportunities. It was left to the forwards to steady the ship, and after good driving play Chris King went over under the sticks, the reliable boot of Pike adding the two points for a half time lead of 21-5.

Leamington started the second half at full throttle, forcing OL’s on to the back foot, but superb defending led by James Melvin limited the visitors to one score. OL's then moved up a gear and after good inter play the powerful Rich Hayes burst through the defence to claim his first score of the season, Pike again successful with the kick. OL’s were now running the ball from every area of the field and having camped on Leam’s line, Andy Vigus forced his way over, Pike adding the conversion for 35-10. Sensing the match was beyond them, Leamington threw everything into attack and a misunderstanding on OL’s throw at a lineout near their line allowed their number 7 to score the easiest of tries.

OL’s were to have the final say when Lee Randle, making a welcome return from injury, rounded his opposite number to score under the posts, giving Pike an easy kick to maintain his 100% record for the afternoon. This was an excellent performance against traditionally strong opponents with notable contributions from Pike, Hayes, Melvin and the three welcome guests from Lions. 

Leamington 3rds 26 – Old Laurentian 3rds 13

In a first half when the lead changed hands regularly, OL’s gave a good account of themselves. Turning up short of a prop forward, their generous hosts loaned OL’s a player who turned out to be really useful. But he was substituted by Leamington at half time, the replacement unfortunately not bringing the same quality!

Daz Price kicked OL’s into an early lead, quickly countered by a converted try from Leamington. A Stu Birch try restored OL’s lead at 7-8, but again their hosts hit back with a try to sneak ahead at 12-8. Marcus Bailey than went over to push OL’s back into the lead, half time arriving with the Bilton side holding the advantage at 12-13.

Leamington held the upper hand through the second period, two further converted tries going unanswered by OL’s to see the Spa side home.

Old Laurentian Colts 34 – Leamington Colts 10

The last time these sides met it was a bit of a one sided affair in favour of OL’s, but on this occasion Leamington offered sterner resistance. Just three minutes had passed before Harley Steel put the first points on the board for OL’s, for a 5-0 lead, the response from the visitors being thwarted by steadfast defence. On sixteen minutes it was pure basics well executed, as the ball ended up in full back Troy Owen’s hands for a well taken try (10-0).

From the re-start OL’s ran in another try, Danny Murch making the ground for winger Scott McKillop to finish. John Carruthers added the goal points this time for a 17-0 lead..

Shortly after Leamington were gifted three points, after OL’s offended whilst defending in their own 22, to reduce the deficit. Just before the half ended, it was a tale of the two Danny’s, this time Danny Treharne got the try and five more points, Carruthers converting for a lead of 24-3 at the break.

In the second half OL’s appeared to ease and Leamington stepped up their effort, with the visitors first to score after nine minutes. (24-10). OL’s were under more pressure than the visitors for most of the half but strong defence prevented further scores. Then Danny Murch added two unconverted tries after coming back off the bench, the last being right on the final whistle for a score of 34-10.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 18
Silhillians 12

OL's 23
Old Northamptonians 32

OL's 5
Old Northamptonians 12

OL's v Harbury

Cancelled

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 24
Bedworth 10

OL's 25
Bedworth 10

No Game

OL's 55
Bedworth 5

League match – Midlands 3 West (South)

Old Laurentians 24 – Bedworth 10

Laurentians had the upper hand in this league encounter from the kick off, scoring four excellent tries to see off a resilient Bedworth side that worked hard and defended stubbornly for the whole eighty minutes.

With just four minutes on the clock, OL’s won a lineout deep in Bedworth’s 22 and were stopped illegally as they drove for the line. Playing the advantage allowed by the referee, the ball was transferred quickly to Denzil Evans who slipped a short pass to Iain Wallis, the centre breaking a couple of tackles to go over for the first try, converted by Evans for a 7-0 lead.

Bedworth worked their way back into the game after this early setback, limiting OL’s possession but not making much impression with their own. Then, with just over twenty minutes gone, the home side lost Wallis with a back injury, Steve Pike replacing him in the centre.

With the clock running down on the first half, OL’s upped the tempo and scored two fine tries that effectively sealed the game. For the first, Tom Gleghorn fielded a wayward defensive kick just inside the Bedworth half and made good ground before sending Carl Adams away. The number eight shrugged off several attempted tackles before transferring to David Longrigg who went over wide out and hoisted the score to 12-0, with the conversion missed.

Straight from the re-start, Kennedy made a good catch, the ball was worked quickly to Evans and the stand off found James Murray with a cut out pass. OL’s full back scythed through the Bedworth defence in a brilliant run, covering fully 70 metres to touch down under the posts for a fine try. Evans added the goal points for a half time lead of 19-0.

The second half opened with OL’s still in charge but failing to breach some solid Bedworth defence. After twenty minutes the visitors then secured the first score of the half, after poor Laurentian midfield defence allowed them to work the ball to the right, where Taylor went over for a simple try that reduced the margin to 19-5.

OL’s responded and on the half hour mark, Murray sent Charlie Turney away down the right and the winger made good progress before being halted just short of the line. Quick recycled possession reached Pike on the left, and the centre went over for a try and a 24-5 lead.

In the closing stages the final score fell to Bedworth, who were gifted an extra ten metres by OL’s at a close in penalty and, taking it short, their pack drove the ball over the line for the touch down.

OL’s moved back to third place in the league after this win, and have narrowed the gap on Droitwich and Sutton Coldfield at the top. Those two fought out a 24-24 draw at Sutton and, with Droitwich, OL’s have a game in hand on the sides around them. This will be played on Saturday, when the Bilton side travel to Silhillians to play the game postponed before Christmas. With two wins over the Solihull outfit already under their belts, OL’s have the opportunity to move into second place with a third success, as the leading two both have commitments in the EDF Senior Vase.

Bedworth 2nds 10 – Old Laurentian 2nds 25

OL’s 2^nd XV travelled to Bedworth and were made to work hard by stubborn opponents for their first game of the New Year, eventually running out 25-10 winners.

Laurentians started the game brightly and camped in the Bedworth half, but resilient defence kept the visitors out. However the pressure eventually told when the forwards generated quick ball and scrum half Wallis moved it wide for the impressive Lloyd to go over in the corner for the first try.

From the restart Bedworth threw everything at OL’s and despite some fine defending, with Danny Facer and Rhys Wade prominent, they eventually crossed to tie the scores. This seemed to kick start OL’s as they attacked Bedworth from every position for the remainder of the half, but could only muster two Lloyd penalties for a lead of 11-6 at half time.

The second half continued in the same vein with the big Bedworth forwards causing OL’s problems at close quarters and OL’s attacking from all areas. .This resulted in another well worked try scored and converted by Lloyd to push OL’s out to a lead of 18-5.  Bedworth then responded with a try through their forwards before Lloyd finished off the scoring, going over from a quick tap penalty and converting from the touchline to claim all of OL's points. This was a good team performance with the guest players showing well and the backs in particular all looking dangerous with ball in hand.

Bedworth Colts 5 – Old Laurentian Colts 55

It was a rusty start for a depleted OL’s Colts side at Bedworth, playing into the bitter wind, and it was 10 minutes before Bedworth’s try line was threatened but to no avail. But within minutes Danny Treharne grounded his first of the day and John Carruthers converted for a 7-0 lead. On fifteen minutes Danny Murch danced his way over the line for his first. Then just before the half ended, Harley Steel was asked to spend a while in the sin bin and Bedworth powered over the line to sneak five points back. The rain came and the crowd dispersed with the half time score at 5-12.

OL’s played the second half with the wind on their side, the sun cam out and the team found their range. Troy Owen scored first in less than a minute, Carruthers converted (5-19). Then with four minutes gone, Mitch Lampard clinched another to push the score out to 5-24.

Some good team play ensued with a fine catch in OL’s 22 by Chris Jones, who made good ground before off loading through the backs for number 8 Danny Treharne to go over for his second, Carruthers converting for 5-31. On twenty four minutes, and after a set play on their five metre line, Danny Murch powered over; then two minutes later the pace of winger Adam Sanson took him to the corner and another try for 5-41.

Another set play on Bedworth’s five metre line gave Treharne the chance to secure his hat-trick; then, not to be out done, Murch swerved his way over for his third touch down, which Carruthers converted for the final points of the game.

The Colts rounded off a good day for OL’s, with all three teams overcoming their Bedworth opponents and an aggregate points score of 104 against 25.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 33
Banbury 5

No Game

No Game

No Game

Old Laurentians 33 – Banbury 5

Laurentians took the opportunity to work off some seasonal excesses in a friendly against Midlands 2 side Banbury and entertained an appreciative crowd with some festive rugby, running in five excellent tries.

OL's blooded a number of younger players in this encounter and also gave a debut to recent signing Glenn Todd, who showed up well throughout at open side. Starting in the unfamiliar position of left wing, but looking confident and assured throughout, was Colts skipper Danny Murch, who crowned his first start at this level with a fine try.

OL’s captain Denzil Evans ran the show from fly half, regularly testing the visitors’ defence with elusive running and deft handling. Just six minutes in, he jinked through the Banbury rearguard and found centre Steve Pike on his shoulder to run in for the first try, Evans also adding the goal points, 7-0.

Three minutes later, full back Charles Turney took a pass deep in OL’s half and ducked, weaved and jinked his way past the despairing clutches of would be tacklers to the Banbury line 60 metres away and add to his already impressive collection of tries this season. Evans converted to hoist the score to 14-0.

OL’s were attacking at every opportunity but resolute Banbury defence kept them out, including a fine tackle on Turney as he cut through midfield after taking a beautifully timed long pass from Evans. It was thirty five minutes into the game before the visitors threatened OL’s line, when the ball was hacked on and their left wing won the race for the touchdown to register their only score, half time arriving with OL’s comfortably in charge at 14-5.

Six minutes into the second half, Banbury possession was turned over and Evans fed Murch on the left. With limited space to work in, the wing beat his man skilfully and outstripped the covering defence to score wide out, lifting the score to 19-5, with the conversion missed. 

Constant OL’s pressure was resisted until the thirty minute mark, when Andy Coleman revived a faltering attack by taking the ball strongly up the right. From the quickly won ruck, the ball was switched left and Andy Orbison went over in the corner, Evans kicking a fine conversion for 26-5.

Jeff Thomas fielded the re-start kick in a deep position and carried the ball powerfully for some thirty metres, the momentum being maintained by McEwan, Adams and Longrigg with some slick offloads until the attack was finally stopped twenty metres from the Banbury line. The ball was then switched smartly to Evans, who weaved his way over for a fine try, adding the extra points to hoist the final score to 33-5.

To add to the fine showing by Murch, fellow Colts players Danny Treharne and Ben O’Riordan also stepped up for first team debuts as replacements, both looking quite at home at this level, to offer considerable promise for the future.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 18
Silhillians 7

OL's 8
Towcestrians

OL's
Towcestrians

No Game

Warwickshire Cup

Silhillians 7 – Old Laurentians 18

Laurentians earned a place in the next round of the Warwickshire Cup with what was ultimately a comfortable win at Copt Heath, wearing down a big and combative Silhillians pack to secure it.

OL's appeared to be mentally in the changing room still when the home side’s full back wafted through a sleepy defence to put fly-half Gray over for a simple try after just three minutes, the same player adding the goal points for a 7-0 lead.

For the next fifteen minutes, Silhillians were on top. Their forwards were making life difficult for OL’s pack in the set scrums and the whole side looked altogether more purposeful and inventive. But then Laurentians decided that it was time to play and suddenly increased the tempo and urgency of their game. Probing runs by James Collins and Nick Johnson set up the position from which the backs moved quick ball out to the right for Charlie Turney to go over, Denzil Evans kicking the conversion to bring the sides level after seventeen minutes of play.

With their forwards now holding Silhillians’ best efforts in the tight and putting their opponents on the back foot with some driving mauls, OL's held the upper hand for the rest of the first half. OL's mounted a wave of attacks on the Sils’ line and a Dave Longrigg effort was disallowed when the referee ruled that the ball was held up.

But from the resultant five metre scrum the ball was moved both ways before Turney, having strayed from his right wing berth, went over for a well taken try wide out on the left, after good approach play by Adams and Longrigg. Evans missed the conversion but with twenty six minutes gone OL's had a 12-7 lead.

Silhillians started the second half as they had the first, on the offensive. Again the OL’s pack blunted their effort and they recovered the initiative for the final twenty five minutes. Sils defence held out under growing pressure, but Evans put over two sweetly struck drop goals to turn the game decisively in OL’s favour and kill off any chance of a comeback by the home team.

For the Bilton side, Turney was the standout player for his brace of tries and utterly reliable defensive play. Murray was equally solid in defence, pulling off one fine try saving tackle; and debutant scrum half James Collins was effective and composed in everything he did. Normally skipper of Rugby Lions Colts, OL's were pleased to be able to give James an outing and grateful for the co-operation and support of the town’s senior club.

Kenilworth now lie in wait for OL's in the next round of the cup, a far tougher proposition for the Fenley Field men. They disposed of Midlands 3 West table toppers Sutton Coldfield by a massive 91-0 on Saturday. Apparently Sutton, for reasons not yet clear, fielded an under 21 side against the powerful Midlands One outfit – not, under any circumstances, a sensible or safe thing to do.

Towcestrians 2nds 12 – Old Laurentian 2nds 8

Laurentians came across tough opponents in Towcester last Saturday, finally losing out despite a second half spent largely camped in their opponents half.

Towcestrians relied heavily on a large and effective pack and the tactic paid off as their front men went over for two tries early on from rolling mauls and straight into a 12-0 lead.

That score was unchanged at half time, although OL's had progressively forced their way back into the game by the break. In the second period, territorial supremacy belonged almost exclusively to OL's, but they foundered on a fine defensive display by the home side. Steve Pike put over a dropped goal to reduce the deficit; and, after a spell of heavy pressure, OL's finally created the space for Simon Bayliss to go over for a try wide out.

For all their attacking play, OL's couldn’t breach the home defence again, even after Towcestrians were reduced to fourteen when one of their forwards decided to demonstrate his pugilistic skills directly in front of the referee and was shown a red card for his trouble.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's
Silhillians

OL's
Silhillians

OL's
Market Harborough

OL's 27
St Andrews 7

Old Laurentians were scheduled to play three senior games on Saturday but finished by playing none. The first XV were without a league game because scheduled opponents Silhillians had to play their postponed EDF Senior Vase tie against Droitwich, so a fixture with Rugby Lions second string, the Crusaders, was arranged. But Lions pulled out in midweek, disappointingly unable to raise a side. Silhillians 3^rd team had already scratched, followed by their 2nds during the week; OL's 3rds were then matched against Market Harborough, and they pulled out at lunchtime on Saturday.

So it was left to the Colts to fly the OL’s flag, in front of a much larger crowd than usual. They were treated to an entertaining game which showcased the many talents of this fine young side, offering rich promise for the future of the club.

Old Laurentian Colts 27 – Shipston Colts 7

A stern test was expected against the visitors from Shipston and that was reflected in the territorial game. For the first ten minutes the ball remained between the 22s, then flanker Harley Steel made the breakthrough for OL’s going over for a 5-0 lead. Shipston did pay a brief visit to OL’s 22, then stand-in scrum half Chris Jones touched down to double the score after 24 minutes (10-0). On the half hour mark, OL's were frustrated when they were convinced the ball was grounded but the try was disallowed; then a few minutes later, a foot in touch ruled out another touchdown.

Eventually, after relentless pressure, OL's broke through again with top try scorer Mike Lampard going over under the posts, John Carruthers converting for a 17-0 lead. However, in the dying minutes of the half Shipston’s no.8 went over to give the visitors some hope and a 17-7 half time score.

The second half was played with more intensity and the visitors upped their game and made a real contest of it. But ten minutes in Danny Murch intercepted to run in from near halfway for a try which Carruthers converted for 24-7. The rest of the game was played in the middle of the park and thereafter only another Carruthers penalty affected the score, in favour of OL's.  

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 6
Old Halesonians 27

OL's 19
Rugby Welsh 3

OL's - Southam
Cancelled

OL's - Broadstreet
Cancelled

EDF Energy Senior Vase, 4^th Round

OL's 6 - Old Halesonians 27

Old Laurentians’ interest in the Senior Vase came to an end at the hands of a very good and well organised Old Halesonians side, whose win extended their 100% record in all competitions this season.

OL’s went into this match missing three of their first choice props and it became clear at the first scrum that they were in for a difficult afternoon in the set pieces, quality possession being sparse throughout from this source. Their problems were compounded early on when hooker Mark Todd was forced off with a rib injury, his replacement Marcus Gregory having to take the field with very little match play behind him this season.

OL’s started brightly with the wind at their backs in cold, blustery conditions. Early pressure created the opportunity for Denzil Evans to put over a penalty after eight minutes, followed three minutes later by a fine drop goal from the OL’s skipper after fine driving play by his pack. But strong play by the Hales’ pack brought their side back into the game, setting up scrum half Chris Wagstaffe for a close range try after twenty minutes, the conversion from Wakefield taking his side into a 6-7 lead.

OL’s missed a chance to regain the lead after a scything run from James Murray was set up by a trademark long pass from Evans and a penalty chance resulted, which Evans missed from wide out. Then the home side slipped further behind after a breakaway from the visitors was stopped by a fine tackle from Murray, but smartly recycled possession gave Harris the chance to squeeze over wide out for a 6-12 half time lead to Halesonians.

OL’s were still in the game up to this point, their backs comfortably holding the best efforts from Hales’ three quarters but having little chance to show their own paces in attack with quality possession hard to come by. Turning round to face the wind in the second half, OL’s chance of staying in contention were effectively finished just a few minutes in when Marcus Gregory had his nose broken by a head butt from Halesonian’s  prop Dempsey, the offender escaping with a yellow card from a lenient referee for an act of violence that demanded red. Andy Coleman came on as an emergency hooker, despite very limited match experience in that position in recent seasons.

After conceding a penalty kicked by Wakefield, Laurentians held all Halesonians’ efforts until twenty two minutes into the half, when a free kick was conceded at a lineout close to their line from which Deeks forced his way over for the visitors’ third try, Wakefield adding the conversion for a 6-22 lead which effectively sealed their win.  OL’s replacement Coleman stayed on  the field after suffering a neck injury, but uncontested scrums resulted for the final ten minutes of a game that ended with another close range try for the visitors, from Matt Wagstaffe, right on the final whistle.

Carl Adams was OL’s man of the match, always at the heart of the action in both defence and attack and leading from the front for the whole eighty minutes.

This Saturday, OL’s travel to Silhillians in a return to league action, followed a week later by the second part of a double header in Solihull, a Warwickshire Cup tie against the same opponents.

Rugby & District Clonmel Cup

Rugby Welsh 3 – Old Laurentians’ 2^nd XV 19

OL’s put the disappointment of last weeks Warwickshire 2^nd XV cup defeat behind them and moved into the next round of the Clonmel cup, courtesy of a 19-3 victory over Rugby Welsh at a wet and windy Alwyn Road.

OL’s started the game well and had the lion’s share of possession and territory, but came up against a stubborn Welsh defence which restricted them to just a solitary John Carruthers penalty during the first quarter. OL’s finally crossed the line after slick handling from the backs following a lineout saw Jamie Brightwell ghost over in the corner, Carruthers narrowly missing the extras.

OL’s failed to add to the score before half time and had to defend strongly as the Welsh took the attack to them, centres Wade and Pike to the fore. The second half became a scrappy affair and after Carruthers had added two more penalties, Welsh got on the score sheet with a penalty from fly half Wade. As the Welsh began to tire, OL’s created numerous opportunities but could only register another Brightwell try for their efforts.

This was by no means a classic but nevertheless a solid team performance, with young players O'Reardon, Carruthers, Treherne and Owen all showing up well; and the evergreen Edwards was all over the Alwyn Road pitch.

Southam 3^rd XV 0 – Old Laurentians 3rds 8

OL’s 3^rd team travelled to Southam with just twelve players after wholesale dropouts and were grateful to the home team for lending them three players to make a proper game of it. They then repaid the favour by beating them.

Experience was at the core of OL’s success, quite literally so as they fielded a second row in Messrs Birch and Tull with a combined age of 99 years. The pair have resolved to team up again for at least one game next season so they can celebrate a joint century!

OL’s had first use of the elements on a wet and windy day but were restricted to one penalty by Pete Rigg by the time they turned round to face the wind. The second half was as tight and competitive as the first, but OL’s notched the only score when Simon Cooper was up quickly to charge down a kick, Mark Palmer being on hand to gather the rebound and go over for the game’s only try.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 30
Berkswell & Balsall 7

OL's 5
Kenilworth 35

No game, called off by Banbury

OL's 48
St Andrews 0

Midlands 3 West (South)

Old Laurentians 30 – Berkswell & Balsall 7

Laurentians put some disappointing performances firmly behind them with this convincing win over a side that has been enjoying an excellent season, occupying a top four league spot throughout. Where OL’s have been faltering and indecisive of late, they came good in this match with an eighty minute performance of pace and power to inflict on B&B their heaviest defeat of the season.

OL’s went straight on to the offensive from the first whistle and just three minutes in Denzil Evans put over a penalty for an early lead. Incessant home pressure forced indiscretions that allowed Evans two more penalty opportunities and a 9-0 lead with fifteen minutes gone. In a spell of relentless attack, James Murray sent Simon Bayliss away to the line, but the try was disallowed as the winger was adjudged to have put a foot in touch; and Carl Adams scattered defenders before him on a storming forty metre run.

B&B’s defence was finally breached just after the twenty minute mark when OL’s centre Iain Wallis stole the ball as he made a tackle to send left wing Matt Miller away on a run that was halted metres short. The attack was quickly moved right to allow Bayliss to outflank a struggling defence for a try, converted by Evans for a 16-0 lead.

Minutes later, Bayliss doubled his try count with a superb score that started on OL’s 22 metre line. The right wing fielded a long kick and set off down the touchline, his pace and elusiveness taking him past despairing defenders on a 70 metre run to the line. Evans added the goal points and OL’s were in charge at 23-0.

Half an hour had passed before B&B reached OL’s 22 metre area for the first time, and they were nearly punished when a quickly taken free kick set off a counter attack that was only ended when Miller was hauled down just a couple of metres short of the visitors’ line.

In the second half, the Berkswell pack began to play up to the reputation that had preceded them, putting the home eight under some pressure at set scrums and forcing their side into contention for the first time. But OL’s’ defence was firm throughout, snuffing out the threat around the fringes and in midfield. The back row of Nealon, Adams and Thomas had fine games in defence and with the ball in hand, Miller demonstrated that his defensive skills are the equal of his attacking flair and Nick Johnson’s tackling spread panic in B&B’s midfield.

B&B’s comeback meant that it was 20 minutes into the second half before OL’s registered their next score, which was skilfully created and clinically executed. Paul Willis made one of many lineout catches and the ball was moved into midfield where centres Wallis and Johnson worked a dummy move to create half a gap for the always dangerous James Murray. The full back took the ball at pace and spread-eagled the defence with a scything run from halfway to touch down under the posts. Evans converted to maintain his 100% success rate with the boot, lifting his personal tally to 15 points and pushing OL’s out of sight at 30-0.

B&B’s much improved second half effort deserved some reward, which they gained with the last move of the match when wing forward John Arnold went over from close range for a try, to which fly half Paul Scott added the extra points and some consolation for his side. 

Warwickshire 2^nd XV Cup – Quarter Final

Kenilworth 2nds 35 – Old Laurentian 2nds 5

OL’s crashed out of the Warwickshire cup at the same stage to the same opponents for the second year running. On a blustery afternoon at Glasshouse Lane, Kenilworth signalled their intent from the start, fielding the kick off and moving the ball wide to open the scoring from 60 metres out.

OL’s could not get their hands on the ball and found themselves another score down when again the pacey Kenilworth 3's found the OL’s defence wanting. This galvanised the OL’s forwards and with King, Hammond, Wade and Middleton leading from the front, OL’s worked themselves into some promising positions, only for the last pass to let them down.

Kenilworth then scored again through their three quarters, this time converted to give them a 17-0 half time lead. OL’s slow start to the second half gifted Kenilworth an early score, but with the wind at their backs they pressed hard for a score, but stubborn home defence kept them out.

Kenilworth then moved up a gear to claim two more unconverted tries before OL’s finally got on the score sheet with a catch and drive from a lineout, Gary Hammond getting the touchdown. This proved to be the final score of the afternoon, Kenilworth running out convincing 34-5 winners. There were encouraging performances from the tireless Wallis at scrum half and Chris Wade in the back row, but. OL’s must now re-group as they take on Rugby Welsh in the Clonmell cup this Saturday.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

Earlsdon 23
OL's 18

OL's 22
Earlsdon 0

Earlsdon 17
OL's 10

OL's 31
Kenilworth 10

Midlands 3 West – South

Earlsdon 23 – Old Laurentians 18

Laurentians stumbled to defeat against an Earlsdon team who are rapidly becoming their bogey side, having killed off their promotion ambitions by beating them in the final game of last season’s league campaign. In this encounter, Earlsdon came from behind to grip OL's in a second half stranglehold from which they couldn’t escape and went on to a well deserved victory.

Earlsdon started the game with the greater urgency and threatened OL's line several times before the home scrum half chipped the ball through a static defence, his half back partner Chris Scott running through to touch down a try that the fly half also converted to take a 7-0 lead.

This early reverse spurred OL's into action and they started to impose themselves on the game, their reward coming after fifteen minutes when Scott Wiles fielded a wayward Earlsdon clearance and counter attacked. The ball reached Iain Wallis through the hands of Miller and Longrigg and the centre went over for a try that was converted by Denzil Evans for a 7-7 score line. When Evans kicked two penalties to push the score out to 7-13, OL's had gained the upper hand and appeared to be heading for victory.

But Earlsdon, and in particular Scott, had other ideas, the fly half capitalising on Laurentian errors to put over two drop goals and level things up at 13-13 by half time.

The game tilted back towards OL's early in the second half when Charlie Turney finished off an attack that had started from deep defence to touch down and restore his side’s lead at 13-18. But from this point on, Earlsdon took charge, their kicking game pinning OL's back into their own half.

Laurentians’ problems were in large part self inflicted, with handling errors and poor touch finding regularly handing possession, and the initiative, back to their opponents. This was frustrating for OL’s pack, who had matched their opponents throughout and shaded the lineout battle, where Paul Willis impressed on his return from injury.

Earlsdon took full advantage of Laurentians’ shortcomings to run in two tries in the last quarter, centre Beynon exploiting poor defensive alignment for the first, which levelled the score at 18-18; and Scott breaking through to put Payne over for the winning try with ten minutes left to play. OL's did lift the siege in the dying minutes but were kept at bay by a team who were determined not to relinquish the game and with it the hard earned league points.

Despite this reverse OL's retained third place in the league table, but now two points adrift of second placed Droitwich. They remain ahead of Berkswell and Balsall on points difference only and face that club in a crunch match at Fenley Field this Saturday, kick off 2.15. Without a distinct improvement in performance OL's could find themselves dropping off the pace in Midlands 3, as with this Saturday’s match the halfway mark in the league programme is reached.

Old Laurentian 2^nd XV 22 – Earlsdon 2nds 0

OL's eventually run out clear winners in a competitive match with tries from Ash McEwan, John Carruthers and Ed Wallis, to which Carruthers added two conversions and a penalty.

Earlsdon played with the elements at their backs in the first half and their kicking game kept OL's pinned into their own half for long periods. But centres Rhys Wade and Steve Pike were solid in defence and repelled all attacking efforts through the visitors’ three quarters; and Troy Owen looked sharp and incisive when attacking opportunities came along.

The half time interval was reached with no score and OL's had their turn with the wind in a second half that they dominated. The forwards produced a steady flow of possession and cranked up the pressure on the visitors’ defence. A burst from the impressive Ben O’Riordan set up the first try for McEwan. Then Carruthers capped a fine game with a try from the visitors’ ten metre line after his neat dummy had wrong footed the defence; and to wrap the game up, scrum half Wallis poached a try from an Earlsdon scrum close to their line.

Earlsdon 3^rd XV 17 – Old Laurentian 3rds 10

Earlsdon squeezed home in a second half that could as easily have gone OL's way in a contest of fluctuating fortunes. The home side drew first blood with an unconverted try, but OL's came right back into the game with touch downs from Danny Treherne and Mike Coburn, giving them a half time lead of 10-5.

In the cold, wet conditions and in a game as close as this one, it was always likely that one second half score would be sufficient to claim the spoils and it was Earlsdon who came out on top with a further converted try to snatch the win.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 15
Old Yardleians 3

OL's 7
Kenilworth 61

Kenilworth 10
OL's 27

OL's 31
Kenilworth 10

EDF Energy Senior Vase – Round 3 (Midlands)

Old Laurentians 15 – Old Yardleians 3

Laurentians had an untroubled passage through to the next round of the Senior Vase, but need to analyse the reasons for another modest score against limited but plucky opponents who should have been despatched far more comprehensively.

OL's dominated territory and possession throughout, but were unable to convert this superiority into more than just two tries and a penalty goal against a solitary penalty. Yardleians fielded a large pack, but OL's were comfortable in the scrums, won excellent lineout possession and their back row were quicker to the breakdown, setting up a platform that should have led to a hatful of scores.

Skipper Denzil Evans demonstrated his confidence when twice spurning straightforward penalty goals in favour of going for five points, without success on either occasion.

As early as the third minute, Yardleians stopped an OL’s attack at the cost of a penalty and Evans slotted the three points. But a further fifteen minutes had passed before OL's registered their next score after a long break by Iain Wallis was held just short of the line. When the ball was recycled, Wallis had regained his position in the centre to take Evans’ pass and draw the last defender to put Matt Miller over for a try and an 8-0 lead.

Three minutes later, fly half Walker converted what turned out to be Yards’ only real scoring opportunity in the entire game when he put over a penalty to bring the score back to 8-3, a position that was unchanged when the half time break arrived.

OL's cranked up the pressure in the second half and with eight minutes gone, a Yards’ attack was halted on OL’s ten metre line and possession won. Ricky Reed started an attack that was carried on powerfully by prop Andy Vigus and when the movement was stopped the ball was recycled and moved sweetly out to Simon Bayliss. The right wing ran in a comfortable try that was converted by Evans for a 15-3 lead.

That Laurentians failed to add to their score was due in part to a stubborn Yardleians defensive effort, none more prominent than left wing Seaton, who pulled off a fine tackle to stop a charge for the line by OL’s Nick Johnson when a try looked certain.

But OL's must also look to their own shortcomings, as promising attacks foundered too often on poor handling, misplaced passes or penalties conceded. OL’s pack were driving and carrying the ball well, with Adams, Smith and Volkmann all prominent, but the hard earned yards produced no dividend. To retain an interest in the Senior Vase, OL's will need to step up their performances by some degree as far tougher encounters certainly lie ahead.

Old Laurentians 2nds 7 – Kenilworth 2nds 61

OL's were thoroughly beaten by a strong Kenilworth side that carried far too much firepower in the three quarter line. As a dress rehearsal for their Warwickshire 2^nd XV Cup quarter final against the same opponents on December 2^nd , it doesn’t appear to bode well. But Laurentians expect to be stronger on that day, and the Kenilworth side will probably not contain some of the more senior players who took to the field on Saturday.

Laurentians were disrupted by the need to make three first half replacements through injury, Adie Cleaver, Dave Middleton and Rich Foxon having to leave the field. But on the credit side there were heartening performances on their returns from injury by Paul Willis and Chris Wade.

The ever versatile Steve Pike stood in at scrum half after Middleton was forced to retire and ran in OL’s only try, a fine individual effort from the Kenilworth 10 metre line, adding the goal points himself.

Kenilworth 3rds 10 – Old Laurentians 3rds 27

OL’s third string avenged the defeat suffered by their second team when running out comfortable winners at Kenilworth on Saturday, despite lending James Melvin to their hosts as a prop forward. OL's ran in five tries in a game that both sides approached in an enterprising and positive way, intent on giving the ball plenty of air.

Gary Hammond boosted his growing seasonal tally with two more tries and Mark Palmer, John Linnell and Badger contributed one apiece. Peter Rigg added the goal points to just one as the scorers made life difficult for him by touching down wide out.

This game saw OL’s 3rds boost their points tally to over 200 in just seven games played so far this season, confirming the old adage that brains and experience can compensate for ageing legs.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

OL's 19
Silhillians 11

OL's 35
Spartans 8

OL's 50
Daventry 0

OL's 17
Harbury 12

Midlands 3 West (South)

Old Laurentians 19 – Silhillians 11

Laurentians overcame feisty opponents in Sihillians but had to come back from a half time deficit for the second week running before clinching their fifth successive win. It wasn’t enough to hold on to second place in the league table, however, as Droitwich, who started the day in third, were playing bottom placed Edwardians and took the opportunity to boost their points difference and leapfrog OL's.

OL's started in slick fashion and several times went close to opening their account in the early minutes, first when James Murray fielded a clearance kick and started an attack that swept across the pitch before Matt Miller was held just short of the corner. Then Denzil Evans hoisted a fine cross field kick that just eluded Murray’s grasp with the line at his mercy. In the next attack, a searing break by Iain Wallis led to Evans just being forced into touch in the corner. But with five minutes gone, Evans kicked OL's into the lead from a penalty after constant attacks forced a transgression from Sils.

Two minutes later Sils were back on terms with a penalty from fly half Gray after OL's fell offside on their 22. But OL's went straight back on to the attack and another break from Wallis gave Evans the chance to fire a long defence splitting pass to Murray, the move ending with a knock on just short of the line. OL's continued to press and from a free kick on the visitors’ 22, Carl Adams crashed through the defence before handing on to Dan Volkmann, who was held short of the line. From the re-cycled possession, Evans switched to the blind side to feed Wallis who went over for the game’s opening try and an 8-3 lead.

More than 20 minutes had passed before Sils were able to mount a serious attack on OL's line when a superb tackle by James Murray prevented a possible score. Laurentians’ attacks were being thwarted by excellent defence, but they came close to another score when Jeff Thomas, having a fine game in the lineout, fed one off the top to give Evans the chance for a jinking break which was halted just a few metres from the line.

As the half wore on, OL's were losing the sharpness in their game and Sils were forcing themselves back into contention, testing the home side’s defence more frequently. Their reward came when left wing Law finished off a wave of attacks that finally outflanked OL’s cover for a try that brought Sils level at 8-8. Gray missed the conversion but kicked a penalty shortly after, giving Sils an 8-11 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, neither side was able to make any real impression on the game. Then ten minutes into the half Gary Smith came on for his first league appearance of the season, and the experienced back rower immediately made his presence felt. OL's now began to impose themselves again, a series of attacks forcing Sils back on deep defence. With twenty minutes gone, Smith took a quick penalty and forced his way over the line for a try just ten minutes after he had arrived on the field, for OL's to regain the lead at 13-11. Evans missed the conversion but put over a sweetly struck drop goal ten minutes later, after more OL's pressure.

Sils weren’t giving in and tested the home defence in the dying minutes, before OL's took play upfield again to finish the game on the attack and a well struck penalty from Evans finally killed off any lingering hopes held by the visitors.

This Saturday OL’s entertain Birmingham side Old Yardleians in the third round of the EDF Senior Vase in a 2.15 kick off at Fenley Field. Yardleians play in a league below OL's, in Midlands West 4, and recorded just their third league victory of the season last weekend. But in the last round of the Vase they knocked out Dixonians, who play at the same level as OL’s in the northern section of Midlands 3 West, and they will certainly travel with hopes of repeating that feat on Saturday. So OL's will need to be on their game if they are to make it through to the last sixteen in the Midlands.

Warwickshire 2^nd XV Cup

Old Laurentians 2nds 35 – Spartans 8

Laurentians progressed smoothly to the next round of the 2^nd XV Cup with a comfortable victory over Spartans on Sunday. The visitors’ first string are the free scoring leaders of their Midlands 4 league, so demanded respect from their hosts. But OL’s pack laid the foundations for the win with a storming performance that had their opposite numbers on the back foot from the first whistle.

Even after losing the influential services of Ben Wiles and Joel Gleghorn through injury, the home side maintained their momentum throughout. Eddie Edwards and Dave Middleton led from the front and their team mates responded. Dave Wallis mixed a combination of eccentric kicking and less than sticky hands with some inspired running to set up two tries, taking on and beating most of the Spartans team for the second. Simon Bayliss finished both expertly, his pace outstripping the last defenders.

Up front, Leigh Fisher and Rich Hayes made major contributions, with excellent cameo performances from Lee Ashwell, Gary Adkins and James Melvin when they came on as second half replacements.

Jody Roderick and the tireless Rich Foxon contributed the other tries, Ben Wiles kicked three penalties and a conversion and Mike Coburn added two conversions.  After taking a short lived lead with an early penalty, Spartans didn’t threaten again until the game was near its end, claiming a late consolation try. In between their defensive work was excellent in the face of some fine attacking play, somehow limiting OL's to just four tries.

Friendly match

Old Laurentians 3rd XV 50 – Daventry 3rds 0

After struggling to find opponents for Saturday, OL's were grateful to Daventry for agreeing to fill the fixture. But that goodwill appears not to have been taken on to the field of play, OL's handing out a comprehensive beating to plucky opponents.

Laurentians were delighted to welcome Adam Pendlebury and Jonathan Tull back to playing action after long absences; and to have Scott Whyment turn out for his seasonal debut.

The combination of Laurentian power and experience proved to be too much for the visitors as they ran in eight tries. Touching down for one apiece were Tim Dougherty, Andy Spriggs, Gary Hammond, Steve Pike, Kev White and Daz Price. Mark Owen came on for the second half to add two of his own and Price added the goal points to five of the tries.

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

Bedworth 19
OL's 30

OL's 34
Bedworth 5

Bedworth 30
OL's 13

TBA

In a lacklustre display, Laurentians struggled to overcome a spirited Bedworth side who were entitled to feel a little disappointed at the final margin of their defeat. After the impressive first half displays of recent games, OL’s failed to spark at all in the opening session of this encounter and were trailing until well into the third quarter before they finally raised their game and began to compete effectively.

The Bedworth pack were secure in the lineout, gave OL’s problems in the set scrums and competed well at the breakdown. So their side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territorial advantage for the first 40 minutes without achieving total control, as their backs lacked pace and penetration and were comfortably held for the most part by OL’s line.

After an early exchange of penalties, OL’s Denzil Evans replying to Alan Foster’s successful kick for the hosts, Bedworth gained the upper hand, limiting OL’s attacking opportunities and creating plenty of their own. Their reward came in two more successful penalties from Foster as they stretched their lead to 9-3. Another Evans penalty followed OL’s first concerted attacking spell of the game, late in the half, and the interval was reached with Bedworth ahead at 9-6.

Early in the second period, an OL’s attack died with yet another handling error and Bedworth worked their way into Laurentians’ 22, from where fly half Neil Porter exploited a yawning gap to go over for the first try of the game and widen his side’s advantage to 14-6.

From the re-start, OL’s pack harried their opponents to claim possession and Evans put over a sweetly struck drop goal to reduce the deficit to five points and trigger an OL’s revival. Evans next dropped an inch perfect touch finder into the corner, OL’s forwards forced their opponents into an error at the lineout and hooker Mark Todd scored his first try for the club after an attempted clearance kick was charged down. Evans converted to edge Laurentians into the lead for the first time at 14-16.

From the re-start, an OL’s knock on gave Bedworth the chance to go straight back on to the offensive and as they searched for an opening in OL’s 22, a loose pass was intercepted by left wing Matt Miller, who sprinted 75 metres to touch down, Evans improving the try for a 14-23 lead. With twenty five minutes still to play, OL’s were now beginning to get into some sort of rhythm and taking charge of the game.

With just eight minutes left on the clock, Carl Adams broke from a scrum in the Bedworth half, the move was carried on by Chris le Poidevan and quickly recycled possession gave Denzil Evans the chance to jink through the defence for a fine try, to which he added the extra points to extend the lead to 14-30 and to record a personal tally in the match of 20 points.

But OL’s relaxed again and a naïve offside error gave Bedworth possession in a strong attacking position. After quick recycled possession, Murphy ghosted through untouched for the home side’s second try and the final score of the game.

This result ensured that OL’s kept hold of second position in the league table. If their performance on Saturday owed anything to complacency and over confidence, other results should blow that away as the league remains highly competitive. This was demonstrated by Droitwich, who ended the 100% record of the seemingly invincible Sutton Coldfield side with a 27-11 win. If a Sutton win was anticipated by OL’s, and the chance to open up a gap on fourth paced Drotwich, they were mistaken! This Saturday, OL’s entertain Silhillians in a 2.15 kick off at Fenley Field. Sils have begun to turn their season round with a series of better showings and will demand OL’s respect and an improvement in attitude and performance.

Old Laurentians 2^nd XV 34 – Bedworth 2^nd 5

A strong OL’s 2^nd team were in charge of this game throughout, to run out comfortable winners with a six try haul. Dominating the scorers list were two players making their first appearances of the season, Jamie Brightwell and Gary Smith. Winger Brightwell grabbed the headlines with a second half hat trick of touch downs; and number 8 Smith set OL’s on their way with a brace to open the first half scoring.

This was a mighty encouraging performance for the club as much as for the team itself, demonstrating the strength in depth that OL’s are developing as players return from injury and hit form. The back row of Smith, Foxon and Orbison showed individually and as a unit that they will each be pressing for 1^st team selection; prop Andy Vigus staked a strong claim for an early return to the seniors; and Brightwell looked sharp and incisive after a long injury lay off.

After Ben Wiles had converted both of Smith’s early tries, Mike Coburn went over to establish a 19-0 lead at half time.

Of Brightwell’s second half trio, the third was a score from the top drawer. After the pack had won good lineout ball, an attack was developed through several phases before quick hands created the opportunity for the winger to go over in the corner and crown a fine team try. Bedworth were denied any scoring opportunities until the dying moments of the game, when they recorded a consolation score from a forward drive close to the line.

Bedworth 3rds 30 – Old Laurentians 3rds 13

OL’s went down to a Bedworth side displaying the type of abrasiveness and aggression that was not appreciated by the more senior players in the side, whose sole intention in turning out for the 3rds is to play and enjoy some social rugby.

Laurentians were in contention until the half time break, leading 6-5 with two Daz Price penalties. Bedworth took over in the second period, OL’s only further score coming when lock Andy Spriggs was on hand to support a Dom Marsella drive to claim the touch down, Price adding the goal point

1st XV

2nd XV

3rd XV

Colts

Stourbridge Lions 7
OL's 34

OL's 43
Northampton Old Scouts 13

OL's 7
Newbold Vets 12

No Game

Stourbridge Lions 7 – Old Laurentians 34

Laurentians travelled to the sumptuous headquarters of Stourbridge RFC and came away with a comfortable win that takes them into second place in the league table.

With the team becoming more settled as players return to action from injury or other commitments, OL’s are putting a good run of performances together. This will cause the selectors some headaches, as competition for places is now strong throughout the team  This match saw the welcome return of Carl Adams for his first game this season; and a 1^st team debut from the bench for hooker Mark Todd.

Nowhere is the competition for places likely to be stronger over the coming weeks than in the back row, where number 8 David Longrigg signalled his intentions by claiming a hat trick of tries. The ever dependable Eddie Edwards stood in at second row in the absence of both Paul Willis and Tom Gleghorn, and was responsible for a steady stream of quality lineout possession.

OL’s went straight on to the offensive from the kick off, and just four minutes in Longrigg picked up from the base of a scrum on the Stourbridge 22 and sliced through the defence for the opening try, Denzil Evans adding the goal points. But five minutes later, Stourbridge worked their left wing away from a scrum and he eluded some indifferent tackling to go over, the conversion levelling the score.

OL’s returned to the offensive and as the 20 minute mark was reached, James Murray fielded a missed clearance kick and made good ground to set up a ruck. The ball was won cleanly and Wallis fed Longrigg for his second try and a 12-7 lead.

Deep into the second quarter, Laurentians demonstrated their pedigree and confidence with a well constructed try scored by Charlie Turney, after Matt Miller beat his man on the outside before expertly drawing the last defender and putting his fellow wing man away. Evans converted to hoist the score to 19-7.

As a half that they had largely dominated drew to a close, OL’s broke from deep defence and were only stopped on the home side’s 22 at the cost of a penalty, which was converted by Evans for a 22-7 scoreline at the break.

Stourbridge stuck gamely to their task in the second half, their strong running centres needing careful policing; and for twenty minutes their defence held firm against a series of Laurentian attacks. But they lost control of a scrum in their own half and Wallis was first to a ball that skewed out at an awkward angle. The ball reached Chris Le Poidevin, who injected pace into the attack before finding the inevitable Longrigg on his shoulder for the back rower to go over for his third try and a 27-7 lead.

Russ Kennedy was denied a try by a dubious refereeing decision after excellent approach work by Adams, Nealon and Volkmann; then Adams claimed the final try after a Stourbridge lineout ball was stolen, going over from a maul close in after the first attack was halted. Evans’ successful conversion was the last act of the match.

OL’s travel to Bedworth this weekend for what is always a tricky fixture, but one for which they will certainly start as favourites to claim the league points in their current form.

Old Laurentian 2^nd XV 43 – Northampton Old Scouts 2^nd XV 13

OL's started slowly against a big and well organised Old Scouts side but after weathering the early storm, the forwards, led by stand in skipper Dave Middleton, began to control the game. When OL’s were awarded a penalty on Scouts 22 the ever alert Ted Wallis caught the defence napping to race over for the first try, which  fly half John Carruthers duly converted.

Scouts strong running centre was making inroads into OL’s territory but resolute defending kept the line intact, the returning Ben Wiles and centre partner Simon Collyer featuring prominently. OL’s went on the attack again and after a series of forward drives the impressive Ben O'Reardon powered over for the second try, Carruthers again converting. With the pack now controlling the ball and Carruthers and his back line keeping Scouts on the back foot, the half time whistle came at the wrong time for OL’s with the score at 14-0.

OL’s customary slow start to the second half allowed Scouts back into the game and after registering two penalties they quickly crossed OL’s line for a converted try to bring them within a point. OL’s then rang the changes with Garry Adkins making a welcome first start of the season and colts Danny Murch and Harley Steele coming into the back row. With the big Scouts pack now tiring, Laurentians  upped the pace of the game and after a Carruthers penalty Danny Murch raced over for a try on his debut for the 2nd's,  Carruthers adding the extras.

Simon Bayliss then got on the score sheet with a deft chip and chase, Carruthers again successful with the kick. Garry Adkins then went over in the corner after a planned lineout move, the conversion being missed. With Murch now in the centre and Danny Treherne on in the back row, OL’s backs and forwards were combining superbly to keep Scouts on the back foot.

As the game drew to a close, OL’s won a lineout deep in their own half and having secured the ball, Harley Steele broke down the blind side making 60 metres before finding Wallis in support to cap a fine individual performance with his second try of the afternoon, the reliable boot of Carruthers again converting for a final score of 43-13.

This was a fine performance from the 2nd's, with everyone contributing well and the younger players all impressing. This should now provide the platform for the side to embark on successful runs in both the Warwickshire and Clonmel Cups.

Old Laurentians 3^rd XV 7 – Newbold Vets 12

In an entertaining game, played in an excellent spirit, Newbold now hold the bragging rights (for the time being) after finally overcoming OL’s in the dying minutes of the game.

OL’s started brightly and had the upper hand for the first quarter. Ade Cleaver went over under the posts for the game’s opening score, Daz Price adding the goal points. The flow of the game was interrupted after the referee sin binned both hookers and Bold opted to go for uncontested scrums. Newbold crossed for a first half try, but with the conversion missed the interval arrived with OL’s holding a narrow 7-5 advantage.

It was Bold’s turn to play with the wind at their backs in the second half but they were unable to turn it to their advantage until there were less than five minutes left on the clock. A Newbold kick was knocked on by OL’s near their own line and from the subsequent scrum, Bold went over for the try that clinched the game.

OL’s were delighted to welcome Rich Foxon back after injury for his first game this season; and Marcus Bailey caught the eye throughout in the second row.

Old Laurentians 36 – Leamington 19

In a fine exhibition of the art of the outside half, Denzil Evans pulled all the strings for OL’s in this game and was directly involved in all five Laurentian tries. His kicking from hand had the Leamington defence scrambling; and his running and distribution gave his backs the time and space they needed to operate. The OL’s pack played their part with a constant supply of quality ball and Ricky Reed was a smooth link at scrum half.

OL’s gave notice of what was to come when they stole the ball at Leamington’s first scrum and lineout. Then six minutes in, Tom Gleghorn made one of many fine lineout catches, his pack drove their opposite numbers back fully fifteen metres and Evans shimmied through to put Iain Wallis in under the posts, Evans improving the try for a 7-0 lead.

After an attacking OL’s scrum, Evans fed Wallis on the switch and the centre put the supporting Dave Longrigg over, the conversion extending the lead to 14-0. The clock hadn’t reached twenty minutes when Evans took cleanly won lineout ball and fired a miss pass with unerring accuracy to cut out both centres and find James Murray. The full back had timed his run perfectly and scythed through a defence that was left for dead by the speed and precision of the move. Evans added the goal points to the try and OL’s were 21-0 ahead.

Centre Nick Johnson showed his raw power on a storming run but failed to connect with his support just short of the line and a chance went begging. Then as a half neared its close in which Leamington had only ventured into OL’s territory at re-starts, Reed made a darting blind side break and sent Bayliss away. When the winger was held, the ball was recycled and Evans hoisted a high cross field kick. With the Leam defence in disarray, Wallis arrived to snaffle the ball and put Miller over in the corner. The conversion was missed, but OL’s were now comfortably in control at 26-0.

But Leam reminded them that there was a game on when their no. 8 Hersey alertly took a quick penalty and ran through the retreating defence to put Ward over for a try that Dale converted for a 26-7 score at the half time whistle.

A resurgent Leamington took the game to OL’s in the second half and were pressing hard when they lost the ball in contact. Evans put in a long relieving kick that the Leamington defence again failed to control and Johnson followed up to gather the ball and run in from half way. The conversion pushed the score out to 33-7, with Leamington seemingly buried.

But the visitors had other ideas, testing OL’s defence with some concerted attacking, and Smith crossed for a try that Dale converted for a 33-14 scoreline. But, apart from some missed tackles on the fringes that allowed fly half Dudley to go over for Leamington’s third try, OL’s defence was sound. 

With Leamington now pressing hard, OL’s had counter attacking opportunities, but their handling let them down more than once. However, one long range attack forced Leam to transgress on their own 22 and Evans finished the scoring with a penalty.

Having targeted this game for a win, OL’s have several similar opportunities in the coming weeks, starting with a trip to Stourbridge Lions on Saturday. Now lying in fourth place in the league, on the same points as third placed Droitwich, OL’s must maintain this form, and improve their points difference, to force themselves into the promotion places by the turn of the year.

Warwickshire 2^nd XV Cup

Southam 2nds 10 – Old Laurentian 2nds 41

OL’s gave notice of their intentions in the early minutes of this game when they drove the Southam pack over their line for Dave Middleton to claim the first Laurentian try. They dominated at set scrums from that moment on, gaining yards and ruining their opponents’ possession at almost every set piece.

Southam did strike back quickly to level their when their powerful outside centre burst through for a try. But, having identified the danger man, OL’s ensured that little possession reached him thereafter and nullified the threat.

A clean line out take and a fifteen metre drive by OL’s pack brought the next try, converted by Mike Coburn for a 12-5 lead. Then, as the half closed, OL’s heaved their opponents off their own ball at a five metre scrum and scrum half Ed Wallis poached a try, improved by Coburn for a 19-5 interval lead.

In the second half  both sides were displaying clear signs of World Cup Final night excesses as hand eye co-ordination was somewhat deficient and passes went down regularly. This was not good news for the Southam pack as the resultant scrums were exactly not what they wanted. But OL’s pack decided at last to let their backs play and a grateful Charlie Turney at centre helped himself to a hat trick of tries, converting the last one himself.

Sandwiched in between, a typical Hammond drive around the fringe of a maul set up Coburn for a smoothly taken try which had the touchline support purring with pleasure and comparing him with a certain Argentinean full back – so for Cato now read Corleto! Also catching the eye was wing forward Paul Curtis, who covered and tackled tirelessly throughout

Southam did get one back in a late revival and from the re-start, stand off Rhys Wade appeared to be playing for time, two successive kicks failing to travel the required ten metres. Determined to avoid scrums, Southam asked for a re-taken kick each time. At the third attempt, Rhys tried a variation, going for touch on the full. But, sadly, it landed just infield, and play had to continue.

EDF Senior Vase - Midlands Round 2

Laurentians travelled to take on opponents from the next level down in the league structure for this EDF Senior Vase tie and were forced to work hard for a less than convincing win.

In a confident start, OL’s took the game to their opponents and almost opened their account with just three minutes gone, a scoring pass going to ground with the line looming. But Men’s Own worked their way back into the game, their forwards gaining the upper hand at set pieces and, after an OL’s scrum had been turned, the home side’s scrum half was hauled down short of the line. MO maintained the pressure and with just seven minutes gone their pack drove over from a lineout for a try, taking a  7 – 0 lead with the successful conversion.

At this stage, OL’s dangerous backs were having to make the best of limited possession but always threatened when good ball reached them, full back James Murray looking sharp and incisive in his first full game this season. A clever Scott Wiles kick to the corner just eluded Simon Bayliss; and Murray was ankle tapped just short of the line after a searing break.

Their reward came after 22 minutes when a storming run through midfield by centre Nick Johnson set up a good position in MO territory. After two quick rucks the ball was moved right to Bayliss who found the energetic Johnson up in support to take an inside pass and go over wide out, bringing the score back to 5-7.

Mens Own were still dominating at the lineout and came close to repeating their first try after another catch and drive, OL’s holding the ball up over the line. But as the first half neared its close, OL’s showed their pedigree with a score that started from a scrum on their own 22. Scrum half Reed fed Murray on the narrow side and his break set Bayliss up for a 40 metre run to the line, giving OL’s an interval lead of  10-7.

After the half time break, OL’s pack competed much more effectively at the lineout, stemming what had been a fruitful flow of possession for Mens Own, and Gleghorn and Coleman featured prominently. But it was 30 minutes into the half before they translated their effort into points when Evans, coming off the bench this week, fielded a wayward clearance and sent Murray on his way again. The full back sliced through the defence before handing on to Iain Wallis, who went over for OL’s third try, Murray adding the extra points to finish the scoring.

Newbold 13 - OL's 2nd's 8

A poor game with neither team managing to put any patterns of play together. In greasy conditions the handling errors were far too many and OL's were further punished by giving numerous penalties away that Newbold gratefully converted. Jon Carruthers tried to settle early nerves for the OL's with a penalty, going into halftime 6 - 3 down.

The second half continued in much the same vain with further poor play and few scoring opportunities created except for a quickly taken Newbold penalty resulting in a converted try. OL's pushed hard after this but squandered a few overlaps but finally broke the line with Lee Randle scoring his first try for the club, with the conversion missed, time finally ran out on the OL's on what was a wholly forgettable afternoon. Hard work and commitment to training will be required this week in preparation for the 2nd team Warwickshire cup on Sunday against Southam.

Old Laurentians 3^rds 19 – Old Northamptonians 3^rds 12

Laurentians found themselves facing a tough task in the shape of a big Northamptonians side and finally won through in a match that was tightly contested throughout.

That it took place at all was down to OL’s player Jamie Brightwell, who gamely volunteered to take the whistle for the game when the appointed referee didn’t show up. Returning after injury, Jamie expected a 20 minutes run out as a sub for the 3rds and found himself on the pitch for the whole 80!

ON’s took an early 7-0 lead before Daz Price struck back with OL’s first try to bring the score back to 5-7. Then wing Troy Owen, who was always lively, touched down, Price converted and OL’s were 12-7 ahead.

ON’s pegged the home side back with an unconverted try to level the scores, but OL’s had the last word when Gary Hammond went over, Price adding the goal points to clinch victory.

OL’s were delighted to welcome the Harris brothers back for their first games this season, Pete at prop and Rob in the centre. Both contributed well to the team, as did Danny Trehearn in the back row.

Mids West South
1st XV

Laurentians started this match as if determined to blow Kidderminster away and have the game sewn up by half time; but finished it struggling to overcome spirited and skilled opponents who made a real contest of it after the early OL’s blitz.

From the first whistle OL’s were on the offensive and fly half Denzil Evans dropped for goal after good work by the pack but, to the surprise of most spectators – and, it seemed the Kidderminster team – it was disallowed by the referee. Undeterred, Evans dropped an inch perfect penalty into the corner, Andy Orbison took clean ball at the lineout and excellent interplay between scrum half Reed and Evans gave centre Iain Wallis the chance to crash through the KC defence for the first try.

OL’s were playing bright, enterprising rugby but KC gave the first inkling of their potential when an OL’s move broke down on their own 22 and a swift counter attack saw KC’s full back Pritchard slice through for a try, to level the score at 5-5.

Laurentians were soon back on the attack and another forward drive was only halted when KC pulled down a maul. Again Evans dropped the penalty close to the corner flag, OL’s won clean ball and the pack drove over the line for Andy Vigus to claim the try, just 16 minutes into his first league start for the club. Evans converted and OL’s had stretched their lead to 12-7. Just 5 minutes later Evans put Wallis away again, he was held just short of the line, Kidderminster transgressed at the breakdown and, as a result, their skipper and loose head prop Turner saw yellow and spent 10 minutes on the sidelines. In an exact replay of the previous two tries, Evans found a precise touch in the corner with the penalty, Paul Willis won the lineout ball and once more the pack drove for the line giving David Longrigg the chance to touch down. Evans missed the conversion from wide out but OL’s were sitting pretty at 17-5 and the game apparently in their control.

But Kidderminster had other ideas and began to force OL’s back on to defence with some long and accurate kicking from fly half Mounter and centre McClellan. Following one raking touch finder, OL’s  knocked on at a lineout just 10 metres from their line and although scrum half Ricky Reed caught his opposite number at the following scrum, KC still worked the ball out to number 10 Mounter who jinked over for a try under the posts, OL’s fringe defence being notable by its absence. McClellan added the goal points and Kidderminster were well and truly back in the game at 17-12 with just half an hour gone.

For the final ten minutes of the half, KC dominated and earned their reward when Jones came off his wing after a lineout, chipped over Laurentians’ defence to gather a slightly fortuitous bounce and crossed for a try with the defence spread-eagled. McClellan was successful with the conversion, his side finished the half with a 19-17 lead and the game had been turned on its head.

The second period started as the first had ended, with Kidderminster controlling the game. Their kicking won yards of territory, but fortunately for OL’s their lineout was functioning near perfectly. Andy Orbison took some excellent ball in the unaccustomed role of front jumper and Paul Willis dominated the middle, both helped by throwing of pin point accuracy from hooker Graham Le May. As the half wore on, OL’s fought back into contention but they were too often guilty of wasting hard earned attacking positions by conceding needless penalties, KC wasting no opportunity to drive them back downfield. However, 18 minutes into the half, OL’s pressure for once paid off and after strong running by Bayliss and good lineout ball, Evans dropped a goal from wide out to reclaim the lead at 20-19.

But Kidderminster were not going to lie down and continued to test the home defence, forcing a penalty in midfield that gave McClellan the chance to kick them back into a  22-20 lead. Back came OL’s and replacement Charlie Turney cleverly worked Simon Bayliss away, only for the winger’s inside pass to be knocked on with the line beckoning. Then a long kick by Evans was run out by KC under pressure from OL’s chasers, the line out won and the ball taken up by Wallis to force a defensive transgression and a penalty. Evans gratefully put the kick over for the final score of the match, with just seven minutes remaining. There was still time for KC to go back on to the offensive, one stirring break-out from deep defence being held just ten metres from OL’s line. But the home side were in no mood to concede the hard won league points at this late stage and held out for a win, their opponents justifiably disappointed that their efforts had not yielded more.

Next Saturday, OL’s travel to Nuneaton Old Eds, with high hopes of maintaining one of just three unbeaten records in a very competitive league.  They hope to welcome back prop Chris Le Poidevin and flanker Geoff Thomas, key players who were both ruled out of the Kidderminster match by injury. The second and third XVs also take on their opposite numbers from the same club.

Barkers Butts 2nds 28   Old Laurentians 2nds 17

Old Laurentians’ second team travelled to Barkers with a team blending youth and experience in equal measure.  But as has often been the case, OL’s made the customary slow start, to find themselves two tries down within ten minutes. This galvanised the forwards into action, with the evergreen Stu Birch leading from the front. A pick up and drive was fed to the lively Darren Price who put Simon Collyer through a gap, who in turn fed the impressive Ben Anderson who went over in the corner, Price adding the extras. With OL’s forwards generating plenty of good quick ball, the pressure was all on Barkers, but a misplaced pass saw them race away to score and finish the half with a 15-7 lead.

The second half saw a similar pattern with OL's forwards taking the game to Barkers up front and Collyer and centre partner Nick Johnson punching holes in midfield. A short ball from Price sent Johnson thundering up field and his pass sent Collyer over for a try to narrow the margin to 12-15. Barkers replied immediately and kicked a penalty to restore their eight point advantage at 20-12. OL’s responded again when a quick tap from Barba was fed to Birch who sent Rich Hughes crashing over in the corner to bring the score back to 17-20. But as OL's tired, Barkers profited with late scores to run out as 28-17 winners. OL’s demonstrated an excellent team spirit throughout, with fine individual performances from Anderson, Collyer and Johnson.

September 8th

Mids 3 West South
Droitwich 10 - Old Laurentians 13

After an error ridden encounter that bore all the hallmarks of early season rustiness, OL's didn’t clinch the victory that their second half effort had earned until the 3^rd minute of added time at the end of the match, when skipper Denzil Evans finally broke the deadlock with a penalty goal. In near perfect conditions, this was a disappointing display for the first game in a season in which OL's must set their sights on nothing less than promotion, having fallen at the final hurdle in last season’s race.

After an early scare when Steve Pike pulled of a fine tackle to save an otherwise certain try, OL's worked themselves into the game, enjoying territorial supremacy without dominating. Evans missed an early penalty opportunity after strong forward play and the stalemate was not broken until the 25th minute, when fly half Hughes slotted a penalty to put Droitwich ahead; 3-0

The home side’s tactics were heavily dependant on the efforts of a big, aggressive pack, supported by the boot of their number 10. They enjoyed the lion’s share of possession as the first half wore on and OL's failed to make profitable use of the ball that did come their way. But they did score the game’s first try when the ever alert Andy Orbison adroitly snaffled a fumbled pass by the Droitwich fly half to put Iain Wallis away on a thirty yard run to the line; 3-5, Evans adding the goal points to ease OL's into the lead; 3-7.

But Droitwich came back into the game after an untidy heel at a defensive scrum forced OL's to touch down and concede a five metre scrum. Fed by his number 8, scrum half Poke went over unopposed for a try which was converted by Hughes to restore the Droitwich lead; 10-7. The same player narrowly missed with a penalty attempt and the half ended with the home side holding on to a slender three point advantage.

The second half was dominated by OL's with Droitwich rarely breaking out of their own half. Their sole ploy was to attempt to tie up the OL's pack in rolling mauls, but they achieved little, making even less progress when they did release the ball to their backs as OL's line held them comfortably. OL's went on to the offensive and laid siege to the Droitwich line but a combination of dogged defence and poor decision making kept them at bay. Evans made some sniping breaks, Chris Le Poidevan, Paul Willis and Dan Volkmann were all prominent and wings Matt Miller and Simon Bayliss both went close. After twenty minutes of relentless pressure, Evans put over a penalty to level the scores; 10-10 then failed with more penalty and drop goal attempts before putting over the winning kick with just a couple of minutes left to play; 10-13.

Coach Neil Leeming has much to do to sharpen up his side for sterner encounters ahead, but he will have seen plenty of potential to work on.