Leamington skipper, Joe Kinghorn and Club coaches, Alex Carroll and Phil Evans, will have been impressed with their squad, as they completely demolished, Worcester, who had started the day in third place, in the highly competitive environment of Counties 1 Midlands West (South).
Kinghorn and fellow Second Row, Charlie Wiggin, were, along with the rest of the Leamington Pack, instrumental in winning decisive possession throughout the afternoon, which their back division used to devastating effect.

With “Moorefields” basking in late autumn sunshine and the pitch in perfect condition, Leamington were in positive mood from the outset and soon set up camp in the Worcester 22 metre zone. It was to take a full ten minutes to unlock the stubborn Worcester defence, however, when the breakthrough came, it lit up the home support. Centre, Freddie Spencer, bulldozed his way through the midfield before linking with Gareth Shuttleworth, who, as ever, was in close support. Shuttleworth was quick to feed winger, Conor Chamberlain, who had joined the fray, at speed. Chamberlain’s pace is almost impossible to defend against, however, when he added the deftest of sidesteps, he completely exposed the visitors defence and raced in, under the posts. Spencer stepped up to quickly add the conversion.

The momentum was certainly with Leamington and they pushed further ahead, almost from the restart, when Full Back, Rich McKowen took possession deep in his own half, before hitting the gas and race upfield. Once again, Chamberlain was quick to react and take over, sprinting in for his second try in quick succession. Spencer duly obliged with the conversion.

Worcester did force themselves into the match and worked the ball into a very promising position in the Leamington half. However, despite winning a scrum, the visitors were unable to cope with the pressure from the Leamington Pack and quickly conceded possession. A lineout soon followed and Shuttleworth was first to react, setting McKowen off on another direct run. Winger, Kofi Miller, took over and raced in, at the corner, for try number three.

The home side were in full control of play and secured the all important bonus point try with some more alert football. Scrum Half, Sam Russell, somehow got his hands on the ball following a set piece under the visitors posts. His nudge found the grateful hands of Shuttleworth, who was over the try line in a flash. Spencer, who was inches away with his previous, touchline conversion attempt, was quick to secure the extras this time.

As the half time whistle approached, the crowd was privy to some more, quality football, from both sides. A near full length of the pitch run by Chamberlain almost let in Fly Half, Chris John, who was just halted short of the try line. Then Worcester hit back, firstly, with a break that needed the intervention of Kofi Miller to stymie. Secondly, they made an interception deep in their own half and raced clean away, with the Leamington try line completely exposed. Salvation came for the home side in the form of Hooker, Charlie Main, who set off from the far side wing and raced back to bring off a quite superb, try saving tackle. A certain defining moment in the match.

Half Time: 26 – 0

Following the break, Worcester produced some of their best football of the day, as they pressurised the home defence with an early onslaught. Relief finally came through the boot of Chris John, who cannoned another decisive kick to touch.

After soaking up this initial burst from the visitors, Leamington were soon back on the score sheet, with Charlie Wiggin making the inroad before unleashing Miller for his second try of the afternoon. Spencer, was quick to add the conversion.

Leamington then won a scum near the halfway mark and Chris John was first to react and seize possession. The Fly Half, raced away and just as he was tackled, inches short of the try line, he had Centre, Nathan Batchelor in support, who was able to capitalise on the attack with a score under the posts, duly converted by Spencer.

Two more tries, courtesy of McKowen and Chamberlain followed, the latter, another well engineered score, stemming from the Pack. Kinghorn secured lineout ball and set up Shuttleworth, who quickly introduced Chamberlain to the play. The winger had the space and with his grace and pace, finished off in style for his third try of the day, which he then duly converted.

A very industrious performance from Leamington which took them back into joint second place in the league.

Full Time: 59 – 0

Words my Warner
Pictures by Gina