An outstanding performance by this Leamington team under severe pressure

The final matches of the season, in the very competitive environment of Midlands 2 West (South), dished up some mouth-watering fixtures, as three combative, Clubs, Leamington, Barkers Butts and Nuneaton Old Edwardians, were all fighting to stave off relegation. The Barkers Butts squad, who had been bolstered by some “new blood”, recently, were due to play one time league leaders, Spartans, at home, while Nuneaton Old Ed’s, who had beaten Leamington in their last match, had a testing fixture, away at Malvern. Finally, the visitors at ‘Moorefields’, Pinley, were a side that had, until this season, an unblemished record against their hosts since their elevation into this league. Therefore, enormous pressure was on all three sides to produce a bonus point win.

It was under these difficult conditions then, that Leamington, much to the delight of the big home crowd, produced a performance that did justice to their undoubted skill, commitment and enterprise, to ensure their league status.

A firm playing surface tends to suit Leamington’s style of play and today, the Moorefields pitch was looking in pristine condition. So when Pinley’s poor kick-off was quickly snapped up by Leamington, winger, Roger Moorhouse was first to test the visitors defence with a direct run up the near-side flank. The home side had certainly hit the ground running from the outset and they nearly opened up the scoring when Danny Ruyssevelt, reverting today, to the left wing slot, raced through the Pinley ranks, only to be held up short of the try line.

The Leamington front row, a usual mix of Danny Phillips, Scott Peters, Aled Thomas and Mark Warrilow, have been a steady force throughout the season and in the first scrum of the afternoon, they soon had the upper-hand and won possession. With the hosts now attacking in the Pinley 22 metre zone, and after winning two penalty decisions, they claimed the ball in the line-out, courtesy of skipper, Craig Smith and set up a drive, which the redoubtable Lewis Kelsey finished off to perfection. Tom Jewitt was just off target with the difficult conversion attempt.

Pinley’s response was positive but when they lost possession, Full Back, Sam Nunn sent in a long range kick to touch to put his side back in the driving seat.

In these early stages, Leamington were playing with a calm confidence that was just the recipe to suit this important day. They were soon to benefit further, from this confidence, when winger Roger Moorhouse chased a kick upfield to put pressure on the Pinley defence. With the ball fumbled, Craig Smith, now in support, was first to react to get the ball over for his sides second try of the afternoon.

This ten nil deficit certainly awakened the Pinley attack, as they set about putting the home defence under scrutiny for the first time. One foray was stopped by a superb tackle from Moorhouse and then Sam Nunn, “as safe as the Bank of England”, under the high ball, once again was on hand to kick the ball clear and halt the danger.

The conditions were certainly helping both sides to produce some very entertaining rugby and although Leamington had a two-try lead, they were under no illusions of the perils still involved. However, their task was about to be helped by a Pinley player, who apparently sustained a “red mist” moment, which was soon followed by the Referee having a “red card” moment. The situation did not go un-noticed by eagle-eyed Scrum-Half, “Patch” Northover, who was soon to use the numerical advantage to open up space and sprint upfield. When the Pinley defence tried to close him down, he sent in a neat pass to Tom Jewitt, who raced in to score. Northover took on the conversion attempt and duly bisected the posts to give his side a 17 nil lead.

The defiant Pinley attack then set about the home defence and on 33 minutes, after earning two successive penalties, found a gap in the home lines and were rewarded with a converted try.

Despite this setback, Leamington were soon about their business again, this time attacking up the far-side wing. A penalty award allowed them the opportunity to kick for the line-out, which Tom Lane, having another polished performance in the Second-Row, secured and set his side up for a drive. With Pinley now struggling to cope with this pressure the ball was released to fleet-footed, Danny Ruyssevelt, who raced up the blind-side wing and over for Leamington’s all important fourth try. Jewitt nailed the conversion and once again there was some clear daylight between the two sides.

Pinley’s kick-off was nearly the cause of another score for the hosts, as Gareth Shuttleworth took possession and set Sam Nunn off on a run. He linked invitingly with Danny Ruyssevelt before the cover defence finally brought the move and the half to a close.

Half-Time: 24 – 7

Leamington Head Coach, Alex Carroll, would have been impressed with the way his side had reacted to the situation in hand and the perceived pressure heaped on them, prior to the match and this was about to improve further, as the second period began.

A promising Pinley attack, in the opening moments, was halted in the home 22 metre area with Leamington gaining possession. Winger, Connor Chamberlain, now on the park following injury to Roger Moorhouse, took the ball and was away, at pace, jinking through the visitors back line, finishing off under the posts, leaving Tom Jewitt with a simple conversion.

Although there was still plenty of time on the clock at this stage, Leamington were responding to everything asked of them by Pinley, in a very positive manner. The Centre partnership of Toby Bruce and Ed Thompson had kept a tight rein on the Pinley attack and Simon Harry, returning to the Second Row, was conspicuous with some of his “trademark”, bone crunching tackles, which were so important against the boisterous opposing Pack. In fact it was the Leamington pack, who once again stepped up to create another unstoppable drive, which gave Lewis Kelsey the chance to claim his second and well-earned score of the afternoon.

In what has been a tough, but very enjoyable season, Leamington finished off in style with a majestic score. Patrick Northover, the instigator of much of his side’s endeavour throughout the campaign, started the move with a darting break from his own 22 metre zone, before linking up with Connor Chamberlain on the right hand wing. The ball was moved swiftly into the Pinley danger area and then switched inside. Although the Pinley defence had re-grouped by now, they had failed to notice the supporting run of big Matt Shelton, who had raced down field and was in the perfect position to take possession and crash over, between the posts.

A very satisfying end to the season and it soon became apparent that this important result for Leamington, together with Barkers Butts home win against Spartans, had condemned Nuneaton Old Ed’s, following their narrow defeat at Malvern, to a spell in Midlands 3.

Full Time: 41 - 7

The high quality of rugby displayed in Midlands 2 West (South) during 2016-17 is a testament to the huge efforts put in by Coaching and Playing staff from all Clubs. Leamington have certainly played their part in providing some top class and very entertaining rugby during the season and this is attributable to the hard work of Head Coach, Alex Carroll and Club Captain, Craig Smith, the Coaching and Playing Staff and all of the Physiotherapists. Well done and thank you to you all.