Peter Gray RIP
Josh-Loch Smith joins Coaching Team
Colts and Ladies stats
Autumn Tickets
Royals and Ladies
Semis on TV
AGM – 23 July
Club dinner – 1 August

Peter Gray RIP
We are sad to report the passing of Peter “Ladder” Gray following a courageous, long and brave battle with cancer. The term “legend” can be overused but Pete really fulfilled and exceeded that moniker. Pete was a ferocious competitor on the pitch throughout his playing career with Leamington and a fantastic advocate and ambassador for the club and its people, even after he hung up his boots. From a cup winning Colts side in 1981/82 which took him to Warwickshire and Midlands selection, he narrowly missed out on England Colts with Nigel Redman being selected ahead of him. The England scouts misplaced their confidential report on him and said he was a “good rangy jumper…. but not strong in possession, scrummaging rucking or mauling”[they must have been watching from the bar]. He played at Rugby Lions and Leicester Tigers before joining Leamington first team in 1982/83 and stayed there for 10 plus years before sharing his wisdom and competitive spirit with the sides down the club. He was captain for three years from 1988 to 91. Pete progressed and served his time amongst the blazers and was President between 2014 and 2017. His legacy at the club is further enhanced by his two sons Charlie and Edward who have both represented the club at first XV level with distinction. Our thoughts, prayers and love are extended to Pete’s family, at this difficult time. Further information will be posted when available
Josh Loach-Smith
We are pleased to announce that the current Warwickshire Senior Head Coach and former Worcester and Wasps coach, Josh Loach-Smith, has agree to join our senior coaching team working with Phil Evans and Alex Carroll to take our coaching environment to the next level. The former National League tighthead will be working across all areas of rugby operations to provide the best training and learning environment for all our players and coaches. Phil Evans, our Director of Rugby is looking forward to Josh joining the club and comments that he is “a highly regarded and sought-after coach and to have him as part of Leamington’s upcoming season is a big statement and something we are all exited by”.

The results and appearances for the Colts and Ladies sides are attached this week -

Colts. Our promising Under-18 group played their second year as Colts. It didn’t really happen for them, particularly as there was no first-year feed coming through and together with the usual losses due to higher education, general availability and injuries they were often scratching around for a full side when their opponents were dripping with reserves. They played in the Warwickshire Colts League and their highlight was a win over Barkers Butts in the QF of the Cup, before losing to Old Leamingtonians in the semis. Shaun Smith managed the side supported by Mark Baldwin, Harry Gooch and others and they won 3 of their 15 games. Louis Erinmez skippered the side for a second year. Non-league games were hard to arrange but when there was no game, players would slot into the senior sides and Owen Treanor, Archie Thompson, Jamie Loffman and Isaac Ward all made their 1st XV debuts.

Ladies We fielded a Ladies’ team for the first time in October having built up a squad over the summer and autumn, led by Coach Adam Clifford and captain Helen Brown/McKinty. Due to the general shortage of players the emerging teams in the area got together and played a series of combined, festival type games in the Inner Warrior tournament. Our first games were against Worcester and Bourneville, both of which we won and overall we won 7 and drew 1 of 9. 18 ladies represented the club over the season, with Kate Lawlor playing in all the games. Sophie Henry was top try scorer with 5 and Helen McKinty converted 5.

Reminder - the Autumn internationals at Twickenham are Australia (Nov 1) Fiji (Nov 8) New Zealand (Nov 15) and Argentina (23 Nov). We have a set allocation of 28 tickets for each of the 4 games. Applications for Australia and NZ should be made by the closing date of Monday 16 June and will be allocated according to the demand received by that date. Applications for Fiji and Argentina will be on the basis of first come first served. The Fiji tickets are all sold. An application form showing eligibility and prices is attached

Coming Up

Saturday - Royals at home to Coventry bears at 2.30
Saturday – Gallagher Premiership Final on TV at 3.00
Sunday – Ladies RL side at home at 2.30
AGM - Wednesday 23 July. Formal notice of the meeting will be sent shortly
1 August - Club dinner

Johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com