OL's for the first time in this prestigious tournament secured a home match, after travelling in previous rounds to Dudley, Lichfield and Stourbridge

As the wind started to increase in intensity ahead of Storm Ciara, the match to decide who would be group 4 winners of the RFU National Cup and therefore one of the top eight U18s (Colts) teams in England commenced at the Crofts .

Old Leams started with the wind behind them, Hinckley kicked off the game. Inevitably the ball was just short of travelling 10m but OLs decided to play on and muscle their way towards the opposition 22. An early penalty within sight of the posts was too good an opportunity to give up and a comfortable kick by Archie Semple saw that the points went up on the board.

Old Leams 3 : 0 Hinckley

OLs dominated the play again from the restart and within minutes were back in Hinckley's 22. More hard work from the forwards resulted in a powerful Sam Bayliss try. The wind proved too much for the kick.

Old Leams 8 : 0 Hinckley.

Hinckley got the better of the restart and won several penalties to bring them twice within 5m of OLs try line but the defencive intensity of the home team kept them out on both occasions.

For the remainder of the half , both teams battled hard with OLs finally coming out on top with a try under the posts from Lewis Mellor, 2mins before the whistle. Extras added easily enough by Semple.

Old leams 15 : 0 Hinckley.

With all subs swapped for the second half, OLs once again took it to Hinckley and despite the headwind were back over the goal-line after 10 mins with a maul that was eventually deemed to be held up. Not to be disheartened OLs were back over the try line on the 53rd minute with Haynes dotting down far way from the posts. The conversion missed.

Old Leams 20 : 0 Hinckley.

Not to be out done, Hinckley came back at OLs with a sustained attack and kick through leading to a scrum not far from the OLs line. The resulting passage of play lead to a Hinckley try and a missed conversion by Wilson into the wind. 12 minutes to go.

Old Leams 20: 5 Hinckley

With a renewed spirit, Hinckley came out on top after the restart and with OLs penalty count mounting, forced another try in the 64th minute.
Once again the wind made conversions difficult and the kick was missed.

Old Leams 20 : 10 Hinckley.

The last 6 minutes felt like 20 where both teams had the opportunity to attack to with a fierce intensity matched by an equally intense defense. Ols came with 10 m of scoring on the far-side only to be turned around and Hinckley super-sized scrum half racing down the wing, dodging one tackle before being brought down by an impossible tackle from Alaric Haynes in what was, potentially, a game saving moment. OLs kept up the defence and had a few attacks of their own and successfully ran down the clock to secure the win and a place in the quarter finals, well done to a triumphant Old Leamingtonian's team.

Final Score Old Leamingtonians 20 : 10 Hinckley

Round 5 (qtr finals) scheduled to be the 14/15 March.