Another tense and enthralling encounter in Counties 1 Midlands West (South), with the hosts, Old Coventrians RFC, claiming a late try, and winning, to leapfrog opponents, Leamington, and claim second spot in the league, behind stand out team, Luctonians II.

Old Coventrians, boasting a very heavyweight Pack of forwards, took the lead on eight minutes, after winning possession at the scrum and quickly moving the ball down their backline and catching Leamington out with the overlap.

Despite the weight difference in the two Packs, Leamington’s greater mobility began to have an impact and with a quarter of the match gone, they drew level with a well worked, unconverted try of their own. The hosts conceded three penalties in succession, in their 22 metre area, and at the final of these misdemeanors, Leamington quickly worked the ball across field to winger, Kofi Miller, who, with the enterprising support of Full Back, Brad James, created an opening in the far corner, which Rich Mullis capitalised on and crashed over for the try.

From the restart, Leamington were able to claim possession and begin a series of drives, before Brad James took the ball on the far side wing. He began to attack the opposition, at pace, before producing a mesmeric step in side, completely out-foxing the home defence, and giving him the time to send winger, Louis Harvey, away for another, unconverted try, in the corner.

The match was now very evenly contested, with both teams having to dig deep to keep their lines intact. However, with less than three minutes to the half -time whistle, the hosts won a scrum and used the ball quickly to once again create an overlap and score, to draw level.

Half-Time: 10 – 10

The match was living up to expectations, with both sides competing at a high level and giving a clear indication of why they are in the league’s leading pack. It was clear that the game was going to be decided by the closest of margins.

The hosts regained the lead early in the second half, when they returned a kick out of defence from Leamington, at pace, to score another unconverted try. They went further ahead, courtesy of two penalty, although the game was still on a knife edge.

Leamington got themselves back into contention with a strong performance from their Forwards, who set up camp in the home 22 metre zone. Such was the pressure on the Old Coventrians try line, the hosts were forced into conceding numerous penalties and perhaps a less lenient match official would felt the display warranted punishment. Reward finally came for Leamington when they forced their way through the home defence, with Hooker, Ben Edwards getting the final touch down. Brad James’s conversion attempt agonisingly hit the upright and bounced clear, although his side were now in with a losing bonus point.

There was just time for the restart and “lady luck” had departed early from proceedings as far as Leamington were concerned. Old Coventrians, claimed possession and forced a final, bonus point winning, unconverted score, leaving Leamington to finish penniless.

Full Time: 26 -15

Words by Warner
Pictures by Pinfold