Result: Old Leamingtonians RFC 1st XV 24 - 40 Old Coventrians RFC 1st XV

Old Leamingtonians Rugby Football Club
Senior Mens' Match Report Saturday 21st April 2018

League: Midlands 3West (South)
Old Leamingtonians RFC 1st XV v Old Coventrians RFC 1st XV
Venue The Crofts, Bericote road

Result: Old Leamingtonians RFC 1st XV 24 - 40 Old Coventrians RFC 1st XV

From the kick off OLs took the game to OCs knowing that a win could well decide promotion for either side. After 10 minutes of open play with OLs having the run of the game a swift three-quarter move saw full back Ciaran O’Connor join the line to score beneath the posts. Stand-Off Henry Reynolds converted.

The game continued to swing from end to end but OLs tendency to concede penalties when in good attacking positions allowed OCs to gain ground and when the penalty count against OLs continued to mount the sure boot of the OCs kicker converted three of them to move the visitors into a two point advantage against the run of play.

OLs struck back with the forwards gaining good ground well into the OCs 22 metre area where a series of pick and goes ended with back row Felix Heath crossing for OLs try number two, also converted by Reynolds.

On the stroke of half time a further OLs infringement resulted in penalty number four converted for OCs. Half time was reached with OLs having a two point advantage at 14 – 12.

The second half saw OCs controlling much of the game with OLs being forced into strong defence and it was OCs that created the next two scores. Both were converted tries from strong forward pressure that swung the game back in favour of the visitors before OLs struck back with a forward driven try of their own. The conversion was missed but it moved OLs back into a one score deficit at 19 - 26.

OCs were next to score with an intercepted pass that saw a try scored which was converted by OC excellent kicker making the score 19 – 33.
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OLs quickly followed with home try number four when a sweeping three-quarter move saw Stand-off Reynolds cross wide out to reduce the deficit to nine points. The conversion attempt went wide.

OLs then committed everything to all out attacking rugby and OCs were forced to defend but a loose OLs pass was intercepted by the OCs centre who ran the length of the field to touch down and with the conversion following the visitors lead was stretched to 40 points to 24 with the final whistle approaching.

A losing 4th try bonus point was all OLs could gain and promotion is now down to other teams losing games.
This was the final game of what has been a good season for OLs who have provided good entertainment for club and members and their guests.

Report provided by Den Fisher
Photos by Nick Crighton
1. Henry Reynolds scores OLs 3rd try
2. Brad James scoring with penalty kick

Nick Crighton
OLRFC Press & Publicity Officer
07768 775601

Updated 22:40 - 30 Aug 2019 by Webmaster OLRFC