Leamington vs Rugby Lions

Midlands 2 West (South) produced a scintillating game of rugby, at “Moorefields”, where the hosts came up against a very capable and well-marshalled outfit. Rugby Lions, on this showing, will certainly be competing for the promotion places this season and at the same time; Leamington will be looking to build on the improvements already made to their squad.

Rugby had a very solid start to the game, mounting a series of quick-fire attacks. A Tom Daplyn tackle stopped the first and then Gareth Shuttleworth was alert to snuff out a further incursion, before Tom Jewitt got the ball clear, to give Leamington a brief respite. Another promising Rugby attack was brought to a halt as Leamington Lock, Tom Lane, wrestled the ball from the visitors, to secure possession.

With ten minutes on the clock, Rugby once again upped the tempo of their game and deep in the Leamington 22 metre area, were awarded a penalty. Seizing the opportunity, as the Referee played the advantage, they swept the ball out wide, at pace, to score a well deserved, converted try.

In these opening exchanges, Leamington were having to work hard to keep the opposition at bay and full back, Roger Moorhouse, pulled off a superb try saving tackle to keep his line intact. However, shortly after, and with the hosts finding it difficult to work the ball clear, Rugby went further ahead with another converted score. There was more hardship for Leamington as they tried respond with a promising attack, only to see the ball intercepted by an alert Rugby Centre for another converted try.

From the restart, Leamington produced their best move of the match so far. Daplyn claimed the ball and set off on a run, supported by Lewis Kelsey. The pair worked hard to get possession to Moorhouse, whose injection of pace created havoc in the Rugby defence, forcing a penalty for a high tackle. Daplyn once again took the initiative and this time it was the Rugby defence that had to delve deep to keep their try line clear.

In the closing seconds of the half, Rugby took advantage of a penalty to kick themselves further ahead.

Half Time: 0 – 24

Whilst Rugby Lions were well ahead on points, they were nevertheless being made to work hard to retain this position, by some very resolute play from Leamington. Sensible rotation of the front row, once again produced good reward, and Scott Peters’s introduction had brought increased stability to the scrum. Tom Lane and skipper, Craig Smith were working well in the lineout and when Peter Blunt stepped into the No8 slot, just before the break, he also added another dimension to Leamington’s pattern of play. This solid play from the pack was enabling scrum-half, Patrick Northover, more time on the ball, to get his backline moving.

The hosts, did, however, have trouble all afternoon in coping with the pace of the Rugby attack. In a very promising move, deep in the Rugby quarter, they lost possession and in the blink of an eye, suddenly found themselves having to defend in their own 22 metre area. Shuttleworth seemed to have saved the day, with a well-timed tackle, in front of his posts, however, such was the strength of Rugby’s support play, they had an overlap and against the run of play, secured another try.

This inventive play from the visitors, earned them two further scores before the end of the game, but not before Leamington showed their class with a try, full of effort, of their own. Once again, Moorehouse, who was giving a flawless performance, broke up the far wing and was impeded, unfairly, by the Rugby defence. Tom Jewitt took the opportunity to kick his side into a good position and when the ball was won at the lineout, Lewis Kelsey forced his way through for the touchdown. Jewitt nailed the conversion to round off an excellent passage of play for Leamington.

Rugby were deserved winners on the day, taking full advantage of the possession that fell their way. Leamington will also be taking many positives from their performance. Whilst it did not, ultimately, match that of their opponents, there were some excellent individual performances, particularly in the back row. Increased match time will also help the new faces in the squad “bed in” to Leamington’s game plans.

Full Time: 7 – 41

Leamington return to league rugby on the 1st October, with a trip to Silhillians, kick-off 3.00pm.