Sat 16 Nov 2024, 14:15
And so began a three-game run into the halfway point of the league season and all against the three teams who sit above us in the league table.
The game would be a test of our mettle and control and our ability to impose ourselves on the quality sides in this league.
The crowd were not disappointed. Leamington showed their talents early on, thrusting at our defence and trying to get the ball wide at every opportunity.
There would be very little positional kicking from them in this match.
Team selection must have been difficult this week. Rhys Johns made his debut for the club from the bench and an experiment to play Ollie Cunningham at full back proved to be a master stroke.
The lad would score three tries from this position, and he looked very confident and comfortable. He also enjoyed the extra freedom to be creative.
OC’s kick off up the slight incline but there were no other factors to benefit either side. No sun and very little wind.
The game starts at a pace, both sides committing each other to some serious defensive work. Some enterprising stuff early on. Josh McMurray recovers the ball and sets Emosi Nabakeke on a run on the left. Anything can happen with the ball in this lads’ hands but on this occasion he makes good ground which leads to the first scrum. The first scrum is always an indicator and an opportunity for the boys to show they mean business. It was a great scrum. In part, I’m sure, due to the presence of Chris Cain at prop. The scrummage would prove to be very successful for us this afternoon. We drove that first scrum which gave Elliot Sheepy at No8, the opportunity to pick up and make ground. We’re attacking around the Leamington 22 but the ball goes loose and we are back on our own 22.
The second scrum was not so good, but we overturn it. The ball comes right, and Alex Kelly does the initial legwork. Ollie has come into the line and carries the run on. He has Josh McMurray outside him but he is not needed because Ollies dummy is sold and he strides over for the first try.
5-0 after 10 minutes
Leamington are quickly back into the game moving the ball at pace. They are close to our line. Leamington drive at the line several times but our defensive tackling is immense. After a couple of penalties Leamington change tactic and move the ball right and they cross for an equalising score.
5-5 after15 minutes
From the restart we push Leamington into their half, but they run it back at us. Good hands, an elusive run and a missed tackle sees the ball come left and Leamington go back into the lead with a good try.
5-10 after 19 minutes
We win a great wheeling scrum in the Leamington half. Skipper Sam Miles breaks and makes it to the 5 metre line but Leamington relieve from a 5 metre scrum.
Some great work and enterprise. Emosi turns over the ball after a Chat Senavirathne high kick and Ollie is showing some deft footwork.
We intercept a Leamington attack and Alex almost makes it on the right and we have a penalty 5 metres out. It takes a second scrum to win good ball and Elliot picks again. Josh McM has come off his right wing and takes the ball midfield. Ollie has joined the line again and romps home on the left almost unopposed.
10-10 after 35 minutes
We’re penalised in the tackle at the restart, but Leamington’s don’t find touch which gives Ollie an opportunity for a run and chip on the left and Leamington are penalised. We’re close in, we win the lineout, we drive through with Dan Anderson but the half time whistle sounds.
10-10 at the break
Rhys Johns entered the fray just prior to the break for his debut giving Chris Cain a well-deserved breather.
OC’s are soon into the attack. Ollie retrieves a poor relief kick from Leamington and mesmerises the defence with an elusive run which Chat carries on. He has a man outside but again he is not required, and the dummy is bought and he crosses for a try just 5 minutes into the second period.
15-10 5 minutes into second period
It’s a slender lead but we are exerting pressure just inside the Leamington half and we earn the penalty. A penalty goal would require Leamington to score twice so Chat steps up for the long-range attempt. He’s successful and we move into an 18-10 lead.
18-10 after10 minutes of the period
Leamington kick deep into our 22 and Emosi retrieves, and we witness some of that Emosi magic. He has 29 players and a referee in front of him. Three Leamington lads racing up at speed. Emosi seems to use every tool in the wing three quarters toolkit to avoid them. The change of direction, the hitch kick, the change of pace, the sidestep were all used to get us back into the Leamington half and earn a penalty. The attack breaks down 30 metres out on the right and on come Jordan Kelly and Josh James to replace Josh McM and Luke Ireland.
We see some enterprising stuff with Sam and Jordan involved and we get a penalty barely in the Leamington half but centre field. Chat fancies his chances again and takes the goal kick and confidently puts us further ahead.
21-10 after 25 minutes of the period
We now have a period of intense pressure from Leamington. They have a scrum 18 metres out. Elliot holds up the attacking runner and we have the scrum, but Leamington are going nowhere. A series of drives and penalties keeps them close and the pressure finally pays off and they go over for a third try with very little time remaining and they are within a single score.
21-15 in overtime
Leamington knock on the restart kick, and we have a scrum on the Leamington 22. Chris Cain is back on for the injured Jack Fennell. We drive the scrum, Elliot picks up, feeds Sam and then on to Ollie to go in for his hattrick.
26-15 the final score
A terrific game from everyone. Can’t mention all the stars but this win was based upon the great work done in the lineout from Wilksey, Dan and Jack. The immense tackling from Vice captain James Callaway, Luke and Lloyd.
The partnership and understanding between Elliot and Sam at the back of the scrum.
George Curtis had a man of the match performance today. His speed and strength into the tackle is awesome, his tenacity and determination to win sets a great example to al his teammates.
Well done lads.
