Saturday 12th February 2011Midlands 1 West

Old Laurentian RFC v Lichfield RUFC

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Welcome to Fenley Field Welcome to friends old and new to Fenley Field for today’s Midlands One (West) game, and we are delighted to welcome Lichfield RUFC here today in the first of our re-arranged fixtures following the big freeze in November and December. We are also pleased to welcome today’s match referee, Fergus Ross of the Warwickshire Society. We were disappointed to go down at Walsall last weekend, particularly after recording an impressive home

win against the same side last October. But a number of injury enforced changes in personnel since the earlier encounter go a long way towards explaining that. The latest casualty is full back Scott Wiles, who has been a potent attacking weapon for us, Scott’s broken collar bone, suffered in the Warwickshire Cup game against Stratford, means that we probably won’t be seeing him in action again this season. In my notes for the Worcester Wanderers programme I was rash enough to welcome the return from injury of some key players, notably Carl Adams. Carl suffered a cut to his ear in that game which turned out to be a lot worse than it originally appeared, so, unfortunately, he is now likely to be out of action for the rest of the season. But on the plus side, Ben O’Riordan has now had two outings in the 2nds, re-appeared in the 1sts for the recent Warwickshire Cup quarter-final and is selected today. Last week’s defeat meant that our away form continues to be poor with just one win and four league points garnered in seven games away from Fenley Field. By contrast, our visitors today have won five of their eight away games, an impressive record that promises a close battle in this afternoon’s match. The 1st and 2nd XVs have both reached the semi-final stage in their respective Warwickshire Cups, We await the draw for the senior Cup with interest, the only other confirmed semi-finalists at this stage being Sutton Coldfield. The 2nds will play Broadstreet in their semi-final, here at Fenley Field on Sunday 20th February The 2nds also have a date with Daventry in the Clonmell Cup, the game to be played under our lights next Wednesday February 16th, ko 7.30. We are delighted to welcome the return to the club of John Carruthers, now registered to play and appearing in the team today. John was a prolific scorer at both Colts and 2nd XV levels before going off to try his luck with Rugby Lions. Also newly registered is Stuart Eborall, a classy looking number 8 with spells at Sale Sharks and Nuneaton on his CV. We are delighted to welcome Stuart, who looks as though he could be a real asset to the club in a key position. Enjoy the game and your day with us.

Bill Bill Wallis

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Lichfield RUFC The original Lichfield Rugby Club was founded in 1874 but was disbanded some twenty years later, to be reformed in 1925. Originally playing in claret and blue hooped shirts, the club were inspired to adopt their myrtle green jerseys by the Springboks of 1932 when Gerry Brand kicked the longest drop goal on record, measured at 85 yards, to beat England. The RFU rejected their request to play in green with gold collars, so they opted for red

collars. Their strip has since been modified to accommodate sponsors’ requirements but still features the original green and red. The club grew massively in strength and reputation in the 1970s and 80s, becoming one of the strongest junior clubs in the Midlands and the country. This was the heyday of amateur rugby, when clubs like Lichfield regularly fielded 6 or 7 teams every Saturday. It was also an era when the best junior clubs got the chance to measure themselves against first class clubs with the arrival of the first national knockout competition, the John Player Cup, and Lichfield did just that, once running a star studded London Welsh side very close at Old Deer Park. With the formation of the Courage Leagues in 1987, the club’s outstanding record was recognised when they were placed in National League 4 (North), (now National 2), where they stayed for twelve seasons. The dawn of professionalism in 1996 saw the beginning of Lichfield’s decline from these lofty heights But the club is now flourishing, with a large mini and junior section, and is climbing back up through the regional league structure. We last met Lichfield two years ago, when we edged a 36-31 thriller in the third round of the Senior Vase, the last recorded Iain Wallis drop goal clinching the result!. Last season, as well as winning the league championship in Midlands 2 West (North), they won the Midlands Intermediate Cup, only falling at the national semi-final stage, just a tantalising step away from a Twickenham final. So far this season, Lichfield have been the most successful of the four clubs promoted to Midlands One and have an impressive record away from their Cooke Fields home base, winning five of their eight games. With OL’s excellent home record winning six, drawing one and going down only once, by just two points, everything points to a competitive and entertaining match today.

Next 1st XV Matches Saturday 19th February v Bournville (home) League, ko 2.15pm

Saturday 26th February v Dudley Kingswinford (away) League, ko 2.15pm

Saturday 5th March v Banbury (away) League ko 3.00pm

Who’s Who at OLs President Duncan Snook

Chairman Bill Wallis 01788 333043

Secretary Alan Willis 01788 813481

Treasurer Keith Baxter 01788 521950

Chairman, Playing Committee Colin Wiles 01788 811782

Fixture Secretary Mick Roberts 01788 574247

Commercial Manager Bill Wallis 01788 333043

House & Grounds and Gym Reiner Ferguson 01788 541295

Ladies Committee Chair Leah Hope 07810 341667

Membership Treasurer & 200 Club

James Melvin 07739 383225

Web Manager & Press Officer Ray Todd 01788 804220

Club Coaches Mark Palmer, Denzil Evans Chris Wade Neal Leeming Adam Mitchell

Griffin Club Pete Staines 01788 817401

Club Shop Leigh Fisher 01788 535472

Club Steward Chris Tew 07886 581613

Club Physio James Neal 07928 253414

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1st XV Match Report Midlands One West – Saturday 5th February Walsall 37 - Old Laurentians 14 In probably their poorest performance of the season by some distance, OLs slumped to a comprehensive defeat at Walsall. Although not expecting to repeat the 44 points they scored when the two teams met at Fenley Field in October, OLs travelled to the West Midlands expecting to be competing strongly for the win points. Instead they were given a lesson in the basics of the game – winning the ball and retaining it, running hard and straight and supporting the ball carrier. After just twenty five minutes, Walsall had scored four tries and had virtually secured the game with a lead of 24-0. Although OLs scored twice in the second quarter to reduce the deficit to 24-14 and threatened briefly to make a game of it, Walsall squashed that notion early in the second half and were well on top for the reminder of the contest. Indicative of the strength of the Walsall pack is that five of their six tries came from forwards, starting when prop Bradshaw drove over from a lineout after eight minutes. The Walsall club were generous and hospitable hosts and the OLs team seemed to feel obliged to repay that generosity and presented them with a try when failing to clear the ball down field from their 22, instead indulging in some speculative and hopeful passing. The final pass went straight to a grateful Walsall player, leading to a try by flanker Halbert, Wood converting. Then Walsall’s number 8 Dickson claimed two tries in the space of six minutes after direct and forceful running had seen OLs falling off tackles and the gain line broken every time the big home forwards took the ball on. Then came a brief purple patch from OLs. Grant Inch went over for a try after the pack had put together a spell of good driving play that sucked in the defence before the ball was released to the backs. Realising that their best chance of breaching the Walsall defence lay in moving the ball wide, OLs tried hard to bring the their best attacking weapon in Simon Bayliss into play. One audacious passing movement from their own line almost succeeded as the wing made good ground down the flank before the move finished in a lineout on the Walsall 22. Minutes later Bayliss did strike, skilfully fielding an awkward clearance kick on the Walsall ten metre line before turning to put a raking kick back down the line and beating the defence for pace to win the race for the touchdown. Evans converted his try with a fine kick from near touch to reduce the deficit to 24-14, where it stayed until half time. In the second period, OLs failed to build on their bright finish to the first and it was Walsall who struck next just two minutes in, full back Mould touching down after his side had shredded OL’s defence when running back a 22 drop-out. Walsall continued to dominate up front, giving OLs very few chances to put together any constructive attacks. For a full ten minutes the home pack laid siege to OL’s line but some gritty and determined defence just kept them out. A number of penalties were conceded and Walsall’s Wood put one over to lift the score to 32-14, but OLs had kept their line intact. Finally a penalty award to OLs allowed them to break out of defence and Jon Bean, replacing the injured Evans at fly half, looked comfortable and composed as they tried to hit back, but the Walsall defence held firm. The final Walsall score fell to lock forward Tierney when he barged over to touch down after another spell of pressure on OL’s line.

Calendar of Events, 2011

12th February Comedy Hypnotist Evening (USA Tour event)

19th February Captains Day

4th March Quiz Night

12th March Sponsors Day

9th April Ladies Day

May (date tbc) Club Dinner

OLRFC Jersey Sponsors, 2010/11

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RUGBY BYTES by Mike Lewis Thanks to the many contributions and suggestions to these Bytes. Please keep them coming.

VPs AWAY DAY Despite the game against Stratford being called off I hear that the day was a success. As Stratford had cooked meals for the VPs it was agreed that it would be churlish, and costly, not to turn up. With no game the VP’s were driven to Leamington RFC where they caught the second half of the game. Happy days as OL 2nds won handsomely 65-5. THIS WEEK’S GOLD STAR GOES TO……DAN VOLKMAN The 1st team were due to travel by coach to Stratford last month, but Dan made his own way there. Unfortunately no-one thought to call him and let him know the game was off! So when the VPs arrived at Stratford in their coach it was to find Dan, sitting in the changing room in solitary splendour and ready for action! Once appraised of the situation, Dan set off for Leamington to join the rest of the 1st team to watch OL’s 2nds in action. Whereupon he was persuaded to turn out for the short-handed Leamington team, and had to endure an 11 try drubbing from his own club mates! Dedication above and beyond the call of duty! ANYONE HAVE A SPARE WATCH? Dick (Richard) Hirons is in need of a new watch, or is it a new memory. He happily turned up to catch the VPs bus to Stratford at 12:30. Unfortunately the meeting time was 12!! Dick had to drive to the game, and thus miss the pre- and post-match (and those in-between) drinks. IT’S NICE TO WIN – SOMETIMES! As part of their charm offensive Stratford gave our VPs free raffle tickets, and one of our members won! Warren Boseley won third prize – ‘A History of Stratford-upon-Avon RFC from 1899-1950’. Not sure if this was a very old book (1950s vintage) or a new one and there’s another one out there covering 1951 to date! IT’S GOOD TO TALK A recent conversation with some of the more established club members produced some notable comments. After trying to explain something to the assembled throng without success Pete Staines came up the explanation ‘I’m trying to be simple!’, to which everyone agreed that he has been simple for many years. During the same conversation Lionel Gardner, with a far-away look in his eyes, said ‘I have something on my mind.’ Everyone had the same thought – ‘what mind? LUCKY WE'RE AT HOME This item is apt considering where today's opponents come from. According to a recent survey the most expensive place to get buried n the UK is Lichfield at a cost of £1,270. For comparison the cheapest place is Blaby, Leicestershire where the cost is just £50. Seems that we should be playing more games in Leicester than Staffordshire. INVITATION TO SPEND I’ve just received an invitation from Sport Abroad to go with them to the World Cup in New Zealand. A snip you might think at £5,375 each to watch the Welsh pool games – and that doesn’t include drink, food and more drink.

Continued opposite…

Rugby Bytes (cont’d) INVITATION TO SPEND (continued) Sport Abroad thinks England supporters are wealthier as they would pay £6,685 to watch their pool, with Scots paying £6,035 and Irish £6,618. If anyone wins the lottery just think of how many friends you could take to New Zealand. THE BOURNVILLE APPRECIATION SOCIETY Some extracts from Leamington’s report on their recent visit to Bournville are reproduced below. We had very similar feelings following our own trip there last October but we kept our views to ourselves. But Leamington don’t mince their words! The Moorefields men can trace their history back to 1926, On this showing; Bournville looked as though they had been formulated at 7.26pm, the previous evening, such was their woeful “welcoming” and pre-match organisation. With Cadbury’s famous Chocolate Factory in close proximity, there were certainly a few “Wonkas” on the touchline in Bournville colours. It was then an interesting contrast that confronted Spa; on the one hand an opposing team full of talent and sitting in third place of a highly competitive league; and on the other hand, an organisation that resembled a poor pub side. And there’s more where that came from!

Warwickshire Cup – Wednesday 2nd February Old Laurentians 27 – Stratford Upon Avon 23 Laurentians booked their place in the semi-final of the Warwickshire Cup after this stirring battle with old rivals Stratford. The game was probably littered with too many errors for the purist but it never flagged in intensity, keeping a good crowd riveted to the action until the final whistle. This was a tale of the two 10s, the respective fly halves each having a major influence on their side’s fortunes. For Stratford, Jake White came close to winning this game on his own, putting his side back into contention with a fine individual try in the second half and contributing 18 of their points. OL’s Denzil Evans was directly involved in 3 of his side’s 4 tries, right wing Simon Bayliss running in a hat trick of touchdowns. OLs looked decidedly rusty, having only played two games in the last seven weeks, and it showed in the opening exchanges as Stratford made a bright start, pressurising OL’s line from the off. Their reward came ten minutes in when a back row break from a scrum 20 metres out was poorly defended by OLs and Andrew Pritchard went over for a try under the posts, White adding the goal points. OLs worked their way into the game, and after sixteen minutes play, following a third successive steal of a Stratford lineout throw, Denzil Evans fed Bayliss, the winger running strongly to touch down wide out, Evans conversion attempt just missing. White increased Stratford’s lead to 10-5 with a penalty after 24 minutes. But five minutes later OLs took the lead with a fine try by Bayliss. Evans hoisted an inch perfect kick towards the right touchline and Bayliss judged it to perfection to take the ball at full pace and go over under the posts, Evans converting for 12-10 to OLs. Then White converted a penalty to restore Stratford’s lead at 13-12, the score at half time. Early in the second half, Evans slipped a sweet pass to Scott Wiles entering the line at pace and the full back sliced through Stratford’s defence for 50 metres before releasing Troy Owen who scored wide out and OLs now had their noses in front at 17-13. The home side then added another excellent try when Bayliss was released down the right hand touch line in OL’s half and his strength and pace took him by several would be tacklers before linking inside with Iain Wallis who took it on, The centre then fed Evans in the Stratford 22 and the fly half sent Bayliss over under the posts for his third try. Evans added the goal points and OLs appeared to be well in command at 24-13. But OLs were guilty of relaxing, believing the job to be done, lost a lineout on their own throw some 30 metres out from their line. The ball reached Jake White and he danced through the OL’s defence to score under the posts. When he had converted his own try the score was 24-20 and his side were back in the match and looking to win it. Crucially, OLs got the next score when Evans put over a penalty from 40 metres out with fifteen minutes to play, meaning that Stratford needed a converted try to draw level. After Jon Bean came on to replace Luke Harris for his first team debut, OLs suffered a crucial blow when Scott Wiles suffered a broken collar bone in a midfield collision, Grant Inch replacing him at full back. Then White stepped up again to slot a penalty and reduce the deficit to 27-23, signalling an all-out assault by Stratford who now sensed that victory was in their sights. It took some gritty and determined defending by OLs to keep the rejuvenated Stratford pack at bay as they mounted a series of close range drives on the home line well into added time at the end. They had lifted the siege by the time the final whistle sounded on a game from which you couldn’t divert your eyes for a second. The home view is that OLs deserved the win on the basis that they had scored four excellent tries to two in reply. Stratford will feel disappointed that their final rally came to nought and that they deserved more from the game, but they effectively lost the contest in the third quarter, leaving themselves too much to do to salvage a result.

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Saturday 12th February, 2011

Old Laurentian RFCSponsored by Player Tr

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Cleaver Scientific 15 John Carruthers

Nick Phipps 14 Simon Bayliss

Jim Darcy 13 Danny Murch

Simon Bracken 12 Iain Wallis

Excel Heating 11 Troy Owen

Cottons Accountants 10 Denzil Evans (capt)

Roger Cole 9 Richard Parker

The Merchant’s Inn 1 Ollie Cowley

Martin Valentine 2 Mark Todd

Dave Eales 3 Chris Le Poidevin

Tom Costello 4 Paul Willis

Arwel Jones 5 Mike Prince

Stuart Gleghorn 6 Dom Hammond

Electrical Testers 7 Andy Coleman

Ray Roberts 8 Ben O’Riordan

16 Garrie Reeve

17 Andy Orbinson

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Midlands One West

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Gareth Brear 15 Matt Brown 14 Greg Massey 13 Tom Adams 12 George Cotterhill 11

Josh Massey 10

Will Cotterhill 9 Olly Savage 1 Steve Gabbitass 2 Dave Bassett 3 Joe Thompson 4 Derrick Squire 5 Rich Burton 6 Charlie Milner 7 Tom Paulson 8 Dan Taylor 16 Chris Upton 17 Dave Butler 18

We extend a warm welcome to today’s referee Fergus Ross, along with our thanks for taking charge of the game.

As always we expect you to treat him, and his decisions, as you would expect to be treated yourself.

For OLs Physio: Suzi Cox

Touch Judge: Gary Thompson

League Table Midlands 1 West

Team P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts Dudley Kingswinford 17 17 0 0 693 213 480 13 81 Sutton Coldfield 16 15 0 1 643 242 401 13 73 Bournville 16 12 0 4 487 268 219 8 56 Old Halesonians 16 9 0 7 394 341 53 12 48 Camp Hill 15 9 0 6 406 275 131 10 46 Whitchurch 17 10 0 7 314 287 27 5 45 Lichfield 16 9 0 7 442 470 -28 7 43 Old Laurentians 15 7 1 7 337 320 17 6 36 Walsall 14 5 1 8 379 396 -17 9 31 Stratford Upon Avon 16 5 1 10 356 430 -74 9 31 Worcester Wanderers 17 5 1 11 296 387 -91 8 30 Nuneaton Old Eds 15 4 0 11 251 506 -255 6 22 Banbury 17 2 0 15 266 581 -315 5 13 Leamington 17 1 0 16 205 753 -548 2 6

Today’s League Fixtures

Nuneaton Old Eds v Leamington

Old Halesonians v Dudley Kingswinford

Old Laurentians v Lichfield

Stratford Upon Avon v Banbury

Sutton Coldfield v Bournville

Walsall v Whitchurch

Worcester Wanderers v Camp Hill

The Midlands One Scene At the summit of the league table, Dudley Kingswinford and Sutton Coldfield continue to be largely untroubled by the rest, Sutton still hard on DK’s heels but with a 17 point gap now opened up between them and Bournville in 3rd place. Both top teams scored more than 50 points in their games last weekend but our opponents today, Lichfield, did register 26 points against DK, more than anyone else this season and one more than Camp Hill managed the previous week. That game finished 29-25 to DK and appears to have the mark of a real thriller. So are DK slipping a little from their earlier form – 51 points conceded in their last two games? Bournville triumphed over their deadly rivals Old Halesonians in another close affair – honours are now even as Hales had won the previous game between them Last week Banbury recorded just their second win this season, this one over Nuneaton Old Eds. But according to Old Eds match report it was the biggest heist since the Great Train Robbery, with the referee the object of their bile. In fact every other line of their report contains a complaint about the referee! Stratford’s results continue to improve, losing out by just a point to Whitchurch last week; but Leamington are now losing contact with Banbury above them despite beating that side for their first win this season two weeks ago.

League Results – 5th February Banbury 35 v 32 Nuneaton Old Edwardians

Bournville 24 v 22 Old Halesonians

Camp Hill 47 v 0 Leamington

Lichfield 26 v 52 Dudley Kingswinford

Sutton Coldfield 56 v 5 Worcester Wanderers

Walsall 37 v 14 Old Laurentians Whitchurch 19 v 18 Stratford Upon Avon

League results – 29th January Dudley Kingswinford 29 v 25 Camp Hill

Leamington 17 7 Banbury

Lichfield 14 v 13 Whitchurch

Nuneaton Old Edwardians P v P Bournville

Old Laurentians P v P Sutton Coldfield

Walsall P v P Old Halesonians

Worcester Wanderers 26 27 Stratford Upon Avon

Top.Points Scorers, Season 20010/11 All teams (15 pts and above)

Player Tries Convs Pens Drops Tot Pts

Ben Roberts 13 21 9 0 134 Denzil Evans 0 30 21 2 129 John Bean 5 18 8 1 88 Danny Orr 3 23 6 2 85 Jamie Brightwell 17 0 0 0 85 Gary Hammond 12 0 0 0 60 Grant Inch 11 0 0 0 55 Kev White 3 11 3 0 46 Greg Lloydall 5 3 5 0 46 Simon Bayliss 9 0 0 0 45 Troy Owen 8 0 0 0 40 Paul Amor 7 0 0 0 35 Jeff Fowler 6 0 0 0 30 Alex Smith 5 0 0 0 25 Howard Harris 5 0 0 0 25 Steve Pike 2 7 0 0 24 Luke Harris 4 0 0 0 20 Ben Shepherd 4 0 0 0 20 John Carruthers 4 0 0 0 20 Ben Wiles 2 2 1 0 17 Dom Hammond 3 1 0 0 17 Glenn Todd 3 0 0 0 15 Iain Wallis 3 0 0 0 15 Danny Murch 3 0 0 0 15 Rich Foxon 3 0 0 0 15 Ricky Reed 3 0 0 0 15 Stuart Eborall 3 0 0 0 15 Andy Orbinson 3 0 0 0 15 Marc Owen 3 0 0 0 15 Mike Prince 3 0 0 0 15 Barnaby Smith 3 0 0 0 15 Daz Price 0 6 1 0 15

Recent Photo Action

v Stratford (Warks Cup) and 2nds beating Broadstreet

Simon Bayliss heads for a try against Stratford…

.…and Denzil Evans kicks the conversion

Ben Wiles breaks through……

… and so does the other Ben (Shepherd)

The scrums prepare to engage

John Carruthers in action against Broadstreet

Photos by Ray Todd You can see all of the OLs photos by visiting www.raytodd.jalbum.net

The Local Scene Rugby Lions look as if they may be turning a corner, holding Caldy, one of National 2 North’s front runners, to 28-27 last Saturday and picking up a losing bonus point. Rumours abound about some new money and they have certainly signed a number of players recently. They have a crucial fixture against fellow strugglers Morley today. Nuneaton are also on the up, beating Preston Grasshoppers, another top half team in that league.

In National 3 Midlands, Kenilworth took a fearful pounding from Bromsgrove when going down by 99-7. They are now second bottom, Hereford having leapfrogged them when beating Burton. The latter were promoted from our league last season and look like making a rapid return, quite possibly in company with Kenilworth. Bromsgrove are now clear at the top whilst Broadstreet continue to slide down the table, beaten at home by Old Northamptonians last week.

In Midlands One East, Syston are clear leaders, 8 points ahead of Ilkeston with a game in hand over them.

In Midlands 2 West (S) Dunlop maintained their 100% record when beating Pershore, Barkers Butts and Spartans being their closest challengers.

Rugby St Andrews are clicking into gear and maintaining a strong promotion challenge in Midlands 3 East (S), hammering Northampton Mens Own by 70-7 at the weekend. Long Buckby continue to lead the way in that league, and trounced Bedford Swifts by 45-0 on Saturday. They have 58 points, Oadby

Wyggestonians are second on 57 and Saints have 56. They are 18 points clear of the fourth placed club so it looks like a three horse race for the honours.

Newbold are looking increasingly secure in second place in Midlands 3 West (S) after winning away at Redditch last Saturday. Leaders Upton on Severn have a 13 point lead over Bold and 3rd placed Redditch are 11 points behind them, having played one game less. If Bold do make the playoffs, a likely opponent is Moseley Oak, the junior team of the Championship club. Southam and Old Leamingtonians are comfortable in mid table but Harbury are struggling, one off the bottom.

In Midlands 2 East (S), Lutterworth continue to struggle, only Northampton BBOB keeping them off the bottom of the league.

In Midlands 4 West (S) Rugby Welsh are still third from bottom, but the two clubs beneath them, Stoke Old Boys and Trinity Guild look doomed. Welsh are just three points below Alcester but have played two games less, so all is not lost for them.

It’s interesting to look across at Midlands 2 West North to see that Old Saltleians are very much in the hunt again, currently lying second to Ludlow and just three points behind them. We knew that we had beaten a quality team when winning last season’s play-off and they are confirming it by their form this time round.

Statto’s Corner A selection of stats from the season so far

Back three hit the jackpot A feature of the 1st team’s points scoring pattern so far this season is that of the 47 league and cup tries recorded by the side, 25 have come from full back and the wings, 53% of the total - testament to the team’s ambition of keeping the ball fluid and spinning it wide. And this despite Simon Bayliss missing eight of the seventeen games played through injury!

Seconds January points bonanza The 2nd XV played and won five games in January, scoring 238 points against 41, and in that total they notched up a massive 39 tries. No less than sixteen players crossed the try line in those matches, led by Jamie Brightwell with 9 touch downs, Gary Hammond 5, Ben Roberts 4, John Carruthers, Andy Orbinson and Stuart Eborall each with 3; and Jeff Fowler, Luke Harris and John Bean each scoring 2. Ben Roberts’ four tries came in one game, against Stratford, together with 8 conversions

Top points scorers Ben Roberts and Denzil Evans are locked in combat at the top of the points scorers table, Ben edging ahead in January with 134 points to Denzil’s 129. Ben’s total includes 13 tries, which pushes him up to second in the try scoring table, two behind the remarkable 17 notched by Jamie Brightwell, who is averaging over 2 per game. Jon Bean is steadily accumulating points and now has 88, although his opportunities are limited when Roberts is in the 2nds with him. The evergreen Gary Hammond is amongst the tries again this season, with 12 so far, closely followed by Grant Inch on 11. Of Grant’s tries, 9 have come in Midlands One games, putting him fourth in the table of league try scorers. In 49 games played so far, the three club teams have together scored 198 tries, an average of more than 4 per game. Overall playing record (to 05/02/11)

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for

Points against

Points diff.

1st XV 17 9 1 7 382 349 +33

2nd XV 19 16 0 3 731 223 +508

3rd XV 13 6 0 7 295 303 -8

Total 49 31 1 17 1408 875 +533

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2nd Team Match Action Warwickshire League One Old Laurentian 2nd XV 26 - Broadstreet 3rd XV 19 Old Laurentians put in an excellent performance to reverse the earlier result from The Ivor Preece Field and close the gap at the top of the Warwickshire League One table to 3 points. Having narrowly lost the away fixture earlier in the season, the Bilton side were confident of turning the tables, having scored 39 tries during January, but it was the visitors who started the brighter. After gaining a penalty, Broadstreet spent the first five minutes camped in and around the home side's 22. They were looking dangerous until the match was interrupted by a serious leg injury to Broadstreet centre Stuart Crawford. He was taken to hospital with a suspected broken tibia and fibula and OL's wish him a speedy recovery. The match was transferred to the second team pitch, but this did not stop the visitors’ momentum, but resolute defence and a forward pass with the line beckoning kept them out. The home team had started slowly but sprung into life when the ball was turned over deep into the OL's 22. Prop Metcalfe powered over the gain line and the impressive Lewis and Orbinson cleared the ball out at such pace that Broadsteet were unable to organise their defence. Scrum-half Reed released the midfield of Wiles, Shepherd and Harris whose pace and angles led to full-back Carruthers finishing an excellent try which Wiles converted. From this point on, the home side gained confidence and dominated the next 20 minutes of play. Broadstreet were pressured into persistent infringements, but OL's came away with only a solitary Wiles penalty to show for it that lifted the score to 10-0 Broadstreet finished the half by drilling the ball deep into OL's territory and utilised their pick and drive game to dive over from close range, despite the attentions of a clutch of defenders. As the ball toppled off the tee, the conversion was made with an excellent drop goal. Half time: Old Laurentian 2nd XV 10 - Broadstreet 3rd XV 7 The home team started the second half much more brightly than the first. Attacking down the left wing, Harris was taken out without the ball and Wiles narrowly missed the penalty from a difficult angle. Broadstreet “old boy” Shepherd, showing his trademark powerful runs all day, was put into space by Wiles and dived over for a try, much to his delight, but not that of his ex-team-mates. Wiles converted and the score was now 17-7 to OLs. An ankle injury to a Broadstreet prop and lack of a suitable replacement forced passive scrums for the last half hour of the game. This did OL's no favours, as the front-row of Fisher, Hammond, and Metcalfe, supported by Edwards and Washington had had the upper hand in the scrums up to this point, providing a stable platform for their backs and putting their opposition onto the back foot. With this threat removed, the visitors were able to demonstrate their tight game, popping the ball back inside to dive over for a converted try to reduce the deficit to 17-14. The home team responded with a penalty from Orr, moving into the fly-half position, but failed to organise quickly enough as a tap penalty led to an unconverted try in the corner for a score of 20-19. At this point the home team could have crumbled, but remained calm and used the wind to play the game in the opposition half and Orr showed good composure to put over a well taken drop goal. As Broadstreet got desperate, they gave away a penalty in front of the posts and Orr converted. OL's then controlled possession for the last five minutes to see the game out. This was an excellent and fully deserved result against local rivals and sets the 2nd's up well for a vital month which will see the climax of the league, a Clonmell Cup semi-final and a Warwickshire Cup semi-final against Broadstreet 2nd XV. Report by James Melvin

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2nd & 3rd XV – Fixtures & Results

2nd XV + - 3rd XV + - Sept 4 F Wellesbourne A 35 10 TBA Sept 11 L Newbold II A 25 10 TBA Sept 18 L Earlsdon II H 47 17 TBA Sept 25 F Leicester Lions III H 37 15 TBA Oct 2 L Stratford II A 22 17 Shipston III H 15 20 Oct 9 W Coventry Welsh H 96 0 Leamington III A 52 0 Oct 16 L Barkers Butts II H 42 0 Harbury II A 10 21 Oct 23 F Nuneaton Old Eds II A 44 8 Spartans III H 31 7 Oct 30 F Long Buckby H 24 25 Kenilworth III H 33 7 Nov 6 F St Andrews II A 16 7 Leicester Medics H 14 33 Nov 13 L Broadstreet III A 18 20 Nuneaton Old Eds III H 31 43 Nov 20 L Spartans II H 39 10 Sutton Coldfield III A 0 41 Dec 4 L Newbold II H P P Earlsdon III H P P Dec 11 L Earlsdon II A 22 24 Nuneaton Old Eds III A 7 71 Dec 18 F Keresley II H P P Newbold III H P P Dec 26 INTER CLUB GAME Jan 8 L Stratford II H 71 5 Kenilworth III A 32 15 Jan 15 L Barkers Butts II A 37 21 Spartans III A 26 7 Jan 19 W Old Leamingtonians H 22 5 Jan 22 L Leamington II A 65 5 Harbury II H 33 17 Jan 29 F Leicester Vipers II A 43 5 St Andrews III H P P Feb 5 L Broadstreet III H 26 19 Shipston III A 11 21 Feb 12 L Spartans II A Leamington III H Feb 16 C Daventry II Feb 19 L Newbold III A Feb 20 W Broadstreet II H Feb 26 L Newbold II H Newbold III H Mar 5 TBA Earlsdon III H Mar 12 TBA Earlsdon III A Mar 19 F Leicester Lions III A Sutton Coldfield III H Mar 26 F St Andrews II H TBA Apr 2 TBA Southam II H Apr 9 TBA Apr 16 TBA Apr 23 TBA

Key: League (Warwicks 1 or 3) = L; Friendly = F; Warwickshire 2nd XV Cup = W, Clonmell Cup = C

1st XV – Fixtures & Results Date Result

Month Day

Opponents

Venue

Type + -

September 4 Leamington H L 26 5 September 11 Nuneaton Old Eds A L 10 31 September 18 Old Halesonians H L 33 22 September 25 Whitchurch H L 6 8 October 2 Worcester Wanderers A L 41 13 October 9 Stratford H L 34 17 October 16 Sutton Coldfield A L 13 31 October 23 Walsall H L 44 19 October 30 Bournville A L 15 45 November 6 Southam A Cup 18 6 November 13 Banbury H L 22 19 November 20 Camp Hill A L 3 21 November 27 Lichfield H L P P December 4 Dudley Kingswinford A L P P December 11 Nuneaton Old Eds H L 34 0 December 18 Old Halesonians A L P P December 26 INTER CLUB GAME January 2011 8 Whitchurch A L 17 27 January 15 Worcester Wanderers H L 25 25 January 22 Stratford A L P P January 29 Sutton Coldfield H L P P February 2 Stratford H Cup 27 23 February 5 Walsall A L 14 37 February 12 Lichfield H L February 19 Bournville H L February 26 Dudley Kingswinford A L March 5 Banbury A L March 12 Camp Hill H L March 19 Old Halesonians A L March 26 Lichfield A L April 02 Stratford A L April 9 Dudley Kingswinford H L April 16 Leamington A L April 23 League Play-offs L April 30 League Play-offs L May 7 League Play-offs L

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