New Year, excellent start for Leamington.

Leamington began the new year with a comprehensive win over Old Coventrians, which also helped them leapfrog their opponents in the league.

Scrum-half, George Jacobs, set Leamington off on their first meaningful attack, when his long range kick to the far wing, was nearly picked up by Conor Chamberlain, with the OC’s defence flat-footed. Then, on nineteen minutes and with their first foray into the Leamington 22 zone, the visitors hard work produced a converted score.

The home side were level within five minutes, when Aaron Hunt crashed over, following a series of pick and drives from the hard working Leamington pack. Sam Nunn opened his personal account with the conversion. Leamington then took the lead with a well worked score, when Craig Smith gathered the ball, deep in his own half, before unleashing the power of his backline. Harry Johnson and Toby Bruce exchanged passes, before setting Conor Chamberlain away. The winger’s electric pace soon had his side in the OC’s danger area and his neat pass to fellow winger, Logan Deely, saw the home debutant muscle his way over for a try in the corner.

Half Time: 12 – 7

The Old Coventrians made an impressive start to the second period and their pack forced Leamington to have to defend, at length. Two thumping tackles, first from Craig Smith and then from Aaron Hunt seemed to have helped clear the danger, however, the Referee had spotted an earlier infringement and from the resulting scrum, OC’s pressure brought them a second converted score.

Leamington’s response was immediate and following more good work from the pack, Lock, Simon Harry claimed the all important touch down. Sam Nunn increased the home sides lead with a penalty, before Leamington opened up an unassailable gap with two, quite superb pieces of play.

Craig Smith was putting in another polished performance in the Back-Row and he was on hand to once again gather the ball, on the nearside touch, before setting Chamberlain away for another mesmeric run. Smith, in full support of the move, was then in place to deliver the try scoring pass to Centre, Rich McKowen. Nunn added the extras. The score was extremely well executed and was quickly followed by some more exquisite football. This time Nunn was the instigator when he neatly fielded a clearance kick, again on the nearside touch and then sent Harry Johnson away. Logan Deely acted as linkman to get the ball to McKowen, who needed no prompting, as he tore down the middle of the park to finish off both a fine personal display and another cleverly engineered move. Nunn once again did not disappoint with the conversion attempt.

The pace of the Leamington attack had proved key in this quality performance from the home side, however, on the final whistle, they were once again reminded of the power of the OC’s pack as they conceded a final try.

Full Time: 34 - 19