A difficult game to watch

This was always going to be an enigmatic report to write, therefore, it is probably wise to start with the match statistics; Leamington 15 points, Southam 18 points, English Rugby nil points.

The large “Moorefields”, crowd, swelled by a strong travelling support, all knew how important this fixture was; for both league position and “bragging rights”, however, nothing could have prepared them for the spectacle that awaited them as Sport, quickly descended into a farce and absurdity. In fact, it is somewhat debatable, whether this report should be included in the media’s Sport section, as the “Entertainment” columns might be more suitable, in view of the fiction that unravelled; or maybe the “Obituary” column, as the death knell for Sport, Rugby Football and Common Sense, in general!

The opening 20 minutes saw Leamington quickly in to their stride, with some penetrative and flowing football. A score was soon forthcoming, orchestrated and scored by Skipper, Craig Smith.

The hosts won a lineout, deep in the Southam half, which Smith claimed and set up a drive to the line. Gareth Shuttleworth took over and carried the ball further into the “red zone”, before unleashing his Backline to continue the attack. With the ball spread out wide, at pace, Smith was on hand to take winger, Danny Ruyssevelt’s pass, to score in the corner.

Southam then had a chance to get on the score sheet, however their penalty kick was pushed wide.

The visitors fell further behind following some more dazzling rugby from Leamington. Winger, Toby Bruce, set up the momentum, with a clean catch on the flank and then a drive at the Southam defence. Prop, Aled Thomas and the returning, John Brear continued to press further ahead with a series of “pick and drives”. A Leamington lineout ensued followed by another, in quick succession, the latter won by Tom Lane, who allowed himself to be driven forward and over the visitors line, Lewis Kelsey then getting the all important touchdown. From wide out, Fly-Half, Tom Jewitt nailed the conversion attempt, to give his side a well-earned, 12 point lead.

Leamington continued this front-foot approach, with a clever kick from Rich McKowen, deep into the visitor’s 22 metre area, which Southam failed to control. This hesitation allowed McKowen and Ruyssevelt the opportunity to pressurise the defender in to conceding a penalty. The Lineout option was taken and this time, Smith took possession and allowed the attack to drift inside, courtesy of some strong running from Aled Thomas again.

This promising attack, was, however, halted and it became clear that influential Leamington Hooker, Danny Phillips had incurred a serious injury, which, regretfully, required Hospital attention.

When play resumed, after at a ten minute break, Leamington continued to set the pace, a penalty award enabled them to go for the lineout and drive option again and when a second penalty followed, so did the first “Yellow Card” of the afternoon. This, however, was only a precursor to what was to turn out to be a starring performance for the said Card! Tom Jewitt slotted over the penalty and at 15 nil up, Leamington looked more than comfortable.

The pendulum of fortune, was, however, about to swing massively in the visitors favour.

They reduced the arrears with a penalty goal and then, in their first attack of note, which came from an interception, they broke away up the far side flank. Leamington quickly reacted to the danger; however, as Sam Nunn approached with an attempted tackle, he was clearly obstructed by another Southam attacker, thus leaving a clear route to score.

With the half drawing to a close, Leamington were penalised several times, in quick succession, in their 22 metre zone and succumbed to two Yellow cards and a “Penalty Try”.

Half Time: 15 – 15

The first period had certainly ended on a sour note for the hosts, who had played some superb rugby and looked in full control of the game.

They started the second half on a high tempo and a clever break by Rich McKowen and Toby Bruce, set winger, Danny Ruyssevelt away on the far side flank. The winger’s direct running looked certain to end in a score; however Southam were able to hold play up, with the try line begging.

Still with two players in the sin bin and in innocuous and mysterious surroundings, the Referee deemed it fit to award Leamington Prop, Aled Thomas a Yellow Card and as such Leamington were forced to adopt passive scrums. This meant that they lost a further player to the sin bin, to comply with the laws of the game. So in a sport, geared up for 15 a side, Leamington were now fielding just 11 players.

Much to their credit, they managed to hold out, with Southam helping out with some clumsy handling.

However, by now the game had disintegrated into farcical overtures, with penalty after penalty being followed by a Yellow Card here and a Yellow Card there! The only things missing were a Pantomime Horse, “Coco the Clown” and a reincarnation of ITV’s Jeremy Beadle, telling us that “we’d all been game for a laugh”.

With all parties now pleading for the final whistle, there was still time for one last twist, as the “Man in the middle” awarded Southam a penalty, allowed them to take it some 10 metres further up the field from where the offence took place, which they gratefully accepted along with the three points.

Full Time: 15 – 18

Next week, Leamington finish their league programme, with a home game against Nuneaton Old Edwardians, kick-off 3.00pm.