Remembering Bernard Gallagher.
A centenary week and the senior weekend ahead.
Junior, Mini and Ladies rugby across the club.
Walking Rugby: three clubs, one warm welcome.
Six Nations 2027 tickets: apply promptly.
This week’s diary and rugby beyond Moorefields.

Hello everyone,

We begin this week with sad news and a tribute to Bernard Gallagher, whose playing, conversation and match reports were part of the life of our club.

Bernard Gallagher RIP

We are sorry to hear of the passing away of Bernard Gallagher this week after a long illness and just short of 90. An old boy of Leamington College, Bernard joined the club in the late 1950s and made his first-team debut in March 1960. Records are incomplete for this era, but it looks as though he made around 65 appearances for the first XV over the next 10 years. His best season was 1961/62, when he was a regular in the centre rather than his usual position of fly-half.

He was also a regular cricketer and a great talker, occasionally mentioning the highlight of his sporting career as being the summer of 1964 when, on behalf of Rothmans, his employer at the time, he was bag-man for the Australian cricket team when they toured England. It would seem that he almost talked himself into the side.

He moved with his family to Scotland in 1971. They returned to Leamington in the 1980s and he resumed playing for the Tigers for a few years before hanging up his boots and writing the first XV match reports.

Our condolences go to Sue and the family, and may he rest in peace. We do not have funeral details yet but will inform you when we do.

A hundred years, and another weekend to enjoy

Friday 25 September marks 100 years since the present club’s first match: a 3–3 draw with Coventry St Marks in 1926, with hooker Reg Russell scoring our first points. A century later, the fixture list is still keeping us busy. Some traditions need no updating—although the points awarded for a try have certainly improved! The club’s beginnings.

First XV v Evesham — Saturday 26 September, 3pm, Moorefields

The Firsts begin their Counties 1 Midlands West (South) league programme at home. Come along and give them a proper Moorefields welcome. Fixture details.

Our results archive records at least 35 completed First XV meetings with Evesham between 1946 and 2026: 22 wins, one draw and 12 defeats. That is a documented minimum, not a complete all-time total; it includes the older non-league fixtures. Evesham won both league meetings last season, most recently 22–20 in March, so there is a useful challenge to start the campaign. Historical results.

For a lighter trip down memory lane, the Tigers won 16–0 at Evesham in January 1981 with only 13 men—and John Hibben scored his first try in 11 years. Proof that patience can be a scoring strategy, although coaches may prefer a slightly shorter timetable. The 1980–83 history.

Colts v Birmingham Moseley Colts — Saturday 26 September, Moorefields

The Colts drew 24–24 with Towcestrians on Saturday 19 September. Next comes a home league fixture against Birmingham Moseley. Kick-off is confirmed for 3pm at Moorefields. Latest result · Moseley fixture.

The archive records at least eight completed Colts meetings with Moseley from 1961 to 2006: one win and seven defeats. A separate Junior Colts festival victory in 1989/90 is not included in that tally, nor are the Firsts’ games against Moseley’s reserve sides. The Colts’ 7–4 home win in October 1980 is a useful reminder that the visitors’ reputation need not decide the result. Colts history and results.

Women’s XV at Daventry — Sunday 27 September, 2pm

The Women head to Daventry for a friendly. The archive records two wins against Daventry alone in 2025/26: 19–0 away and 43–5 at home. Three other results involving combined Daventry sides are kept separate. This is a recorded minimum, not a claim that these are the only meetings ever played. The away win was recorded on the same day as a game against Northampton Casuals—a busy afternoon’s rugby. Please confirm the ground and meeting arrangements with the team. Sunday’s fixture · Women’s results archive.

No weekend fixture is currently listed for the Extras, Spartans XV or Walking Rugby. That means no published fixture, rather than a confirmed weekend off. No fresh pitch-condition report has been supplied; team messages remain the place to check any ground or weather changes.

Around our younger teams

Juniors: the U14s have training listed for Sunday 27 September at 10.30am. No weekend fixture is currently published for the U13s, U15s or U16s; please follow your coaches’ updates. Full club calendar.

Minis: the diary gives Rugby Lions on Sunday 27 September, 10.30am–noon. The U7s, U9s, U10s and U12s are listed at home to Rugby Lions, with 11am kick-offs. Treat the diary as the session window and check your own team’s arrival time.

U11s: the venue is confirmed as Barkers’ Butts RFC for the away festival on Sunday 27 September, meeting at 10.30am for an 11am start. The U8s have no individual weekend fixture listed. U11s match page.

Walking Rugby: three clubs, one warm welcome

On Wednesday 30 September, we host Old Leamingtonians and Kenilworth for the second round of the Walking Rugby Tri-Clubs Tournament. Kenilworth set a high standard as hosts of the opening fixture, and everyone involved had a brilliant evening. Now it is our turn.

There is always room for more players, and a friendly Introduction to Walking Rugby session will run alongside the games. Come to watch, join in or find out what it is all about. All ages, genders and levels of rugby experience are welcome. The welcome will be energetic; the rugby will remain walking pace!

The tournament starts at 6.30pm (18:30), meeting at Leamington RFC. This week’s regular Walking Rugby session is Wednesday 23 September, 7–8pm.

Six Nations 2027: don’t leave it to the last scrum

Richard “Windy” Miller reports that our ticket allocation is going quickly. Some categories have already been allocated, including most of our England v Scotland tickets. If you would like to apply, please send your request promptly using the Six Nations Form 2027 available to download from our website.

Applications go to Richard (Windy) Miller: Randlmill@btinternet.com. The form gives 1 November 2026 as the application deadline for France and Scotland; remaining tickets thereafter are first come, first served. Italy requests should be made as soon as possible, subject to availability. A deadline is not a promise that tickets will remain until then!

England’s home fixtures are France, Sunday 14 February at 3.10pm; Italy, Saturday 20 February at 4.40pm; and Scotland, Saturday 13 March at 4.40pm. All dates are in 2027. Please use the form for prices, payment instructions and eligibility: paid qualifying club membership or sponsorship is required, and tickets are for personal use. RFU fixture confirmation.

The club diary — week commencing 21 September

There is plenty happening away from match day too. The entries below follow the supplied club diary; private and group bookings are listed for awareness, rather than as open invitations.

Monday 21 September — earlier this week: Elite Fitness, 7–8pm; Frisbee, 7–9.30pm.

Tuesday 22 September: Art Class, 8.30am–5.30pm; Leek Wootton FC training, 6–7.15pm; U14s, 6.30–8pm; Seniors and Colts, 7–8.30pm; Club Night from 7pm.

Wednesday 23 September: U10s, 6.30–7.30pm; Fosse Falcons, 6.30–8pm; Walking Rugby and Elite Fitness, both 7–8pm.

Thursday 24 September: Coreus Group, 1–4pm; Union U11s, 6–7pm; Leek Wootton training, 6–7.15pm; Seniors, Colts and Ladies, 7–8.30pm.

Friday 25 September: Slimming World, 7–11am; Club Night, 5–8pm; U12s, 5.30–6.30pm; Elite Fitness, 7–8pm.

Saturday 26 September: Frisbee training, 11am–2pm; First XV v Evesham, 3pm; Colts v Birmingham Moseley, 3pm.

Sunday 27 September: Minis session window, 10.30am–noon, with team arrangements as above; U14s training, website 10.30am; Women’s XV away at Daventry, 2pm; private party booking, 1–5pm.

Monday 28 September: First Aid Course, 6–10pm; Elite Fitness, 7–8pm; Frisbee, 7–9.30pm. Please check course attendance or booking arrangements with the organiser.

Rugby beyond Moorefields

The Red Roses were held 26–26 by Canada at Sandy Park on Saturday 19 September, ending England’s run of 39 consecutive wins. Their next WXV Global Series match is against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 26 September at 3pm. That clashes with our own home rugby: a good weekend to make friends with the highlights button. Canada’s official report · RFU match information.

Warwickshire’s U16 girls’ Player Development Group assessments are scheduled at Newbold RFC on Wednesdays 23 and 30 September. Interested players should check the county’s arrangements and times through their coach. Warwickshire women and girls update.

Thank you to everyone playing, coaching, volunteering and supporting. See you at Moorefields.

Richard Watkins
Honorary Secretary
Leamington Rugby Football Club
Moorefields, Kenilworth Road, Royal Leamington Spa
Warwickshire, CV32 6RG
secretary@leamingtonrugby.co.uk