After weeks of last-minute wins and (mainly) losses the first XV hit form in the sunshine at Moorefields on Saturday and walloped Kidderminster by 92-26, with our backs running riot and reversing our 36-40 defeat over there just before Christmas, in a game we really should have won. Read John Warner’s report on the website and a video of the game is below
https://app.veo.co/matches/20260411-leamington-1sts-vs-kidderminster-1sts-11042026-v442e4df
For the record, this was our third highest points’ total in a league game, just short of the 95 we scored against Droitwich in 2024 and 94 against Kings Norton in 2000. Our best ever score is 103-0 against Bletchley in a friendly in 1993-94. Jim Reed scored a record equalling 5 tries in a first team game and Rich McKowen was just behind him with 4, in our total of 14 touch-downs. In case you are wondering, the other players to score 5 are G. Price in 1934 followed by Archie Banks, John Williamson, Peter Preece, Jean Inchauspe, Rob Rennel and Simon David
A strong second XV turned up at Barkers Butts only to find that out hosts were playing Rugby St Andrews which was their error. So, with three teams in attendance, ad-hoc arrangements were made and the teams combined to play a game involving everyone and a good time was had by all. Harry Healy enjoyed it best with a hat-trick of tries and Gabe Stoneman and James Winnett also got on the scoresheet
The Colts took on Earlsdon at home and lost 35-31
The Ladies played two fixtures on Sunday, losing narrowly by 7-10 to Northampton Casuals, with Sophie Henry touching down and Becky Moss converting. They then teamed up with Casuals to beat a combined Broadstreet/Daventry team, winning 24-0 with Cath Lyon and Tash McCrae scoring tries and Becky Moss adding 2 conversions. Jess Johnson was the player of the match and the Ladies and Seconds on Saturday both demonstrated that the good spirit between clubs that helps everyone get a game despite the overall shortage of players and fixtures
This week
• On Friday night the Colts are away at Kenilworth at 7.30
• Also on Friday night, the Spartans are playing in a tournament at Stratford, plus Evesham
• On Saturday the first XV are at Camp Hill
• The U10 are playing in the Tigers Cup festival 3.00
• On Sunday the U16 are training
• The U13 are at home to Old Leamingtonians
• The U11 are on tour
• The U 7,8 and 9 are away at Rugby Lions
• Also, on Sunday the Ladies are away at Daventry - KO 2pm. This is an Inner Warriors game but the opponents are to be confirmed. This is our last Ladies fixture of the season. The majority of the team will then switch codes and play for Leamington Royals for the summer. Royals are recruiting women 17+. The first training session is Wednesday 29th April.

The Centenary arrangements get underway on 25th April (our actual birthday is 22 July) and the schedule for the day is as follows

1100 hrs – Mini and Junior Presentations
1230/1300 hrs – M&J BBQ and inflatable fun.
1230 for 1300 VP lunch and arrivals
1330 – Charity Game : Lions v Adens Army (M&J guard of honour)
1500 – 1st XV v Kidderminster (M&J guard of honour)
1600 – Malakas Greek Food truck starts serving
1700 – DJ start and continue throughout the evening with singers and karaoke
Raffle tickets available all day to win over 40 fantastic prizes including :
* 2 × Eurostar tickets to Paris, Brussels or Lille
* A spa day for two at Pennyhill Park (including lunch and a massage)
* Dinner for two at Oscars French Bistro
* An overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford
* A £50 M&S voucher
* Signed Leicester Tigers Ball
* Signed Coventry Rugby Shirt
* Leisure passes and an overnight stay at Chesford Grange
* …and many more
The VP lunch at 1300 is a sell-out at £25 per seat. Applications for tickets are still coming in but we have no more space so if you want to check whether you are included please check with Charlie Gardner on charles.n.gardner44@gmail.
A reminder that Dick Jewitt’s funeral will be held at Canon Hill Chapel, Canley, CV4 7DF, on Monday 20 April at 10.30 and afterwards at the Rugby Club. Any donation should be made to the Rugby Club and the arrangements for doing so are on the website

Johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com