The weekend: Colts and juniors lead the way.
Fixtures and a dip into the club archives.
This week at Moorefields.
Half-term camp and Christmas fleeces.
International tickets, membership and the 200 Club.
Rugby beyond Moorefields.

A shorter catch-up this week, with plenty happening from the youngest age groups to the senior sides. The Christmas shopping has even made the team sheet — more on that below.

The weekend in brief

The Colts won 29–15 at Stratford on Friday 9 October, then lost 17–44 to West Bridgford in Sunday’s home friendly. Stacey Calder’s report thanks the visiting players who joined Leamington when injuries left us short, helping everyone finish the game: a welcome example of rugby looking after its own.

The Under 12/13s beat Earlsdon by six tries to four on Sunday 11 October. Stanley scored his first try, with two each from Harry and JJ and another from Hugo. Congratulations to the whole group — and to Stanley on getting his account open.

Saturday was tougher for the seniors: the 1st XV lost 0–40 at home to Ledbury and the Rovers went down 7–14 at Earlsdon. Tom Chandler’s first-team report recognises the effort despite missed chances and names Sam Richards as star player. Thank you to everyone representing the club and supporting from the touchline.

Colts report
Under 12/13s report
1st XV report

Coming up: 16–18 October

Friday 16 October: Colts v Old Leamingtonians Colts, home, 7:30pm according to the club diary. Please confirm the final date and kick-off with the team before travelling.

Saturday 17 October: the 1st XV visit Berkswell & Balsall RFC in Counties 1 Midlands West (South), kick-off 3pm. The Rovers (2nds) host Manor Park at Moorefields, also at 3pm, in a friendly.

Sunday 18 October: Under 7s, 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s and 12s welcome Old Coventrians; the Under 14s host Keresley. All are listed as 11am friendlies. Under 6s have training; please check the time with the coaches.

No forthcoming-weekend fixture is currently listed for the Women’s XV, Spartans, Walking Rugby, Under 13s, Under 15s or Under 16s. Team contacts remain the best guide to training or late arrangements.

Club fixtures

A little history before kick-off

The archives record at least 21 first-XV matches against Berkswell & Balsall, also listed as Balsall & Berkswell, from 1999–2025. They range from a 5–0 cup win in 1999, with Bill Unsworth scoring the only try, to two friendlies in 2001/02 in which Leamington amassed 158 points. Quite a change of gear.

For the Extras/second XV, at least five played meetings with Manor Park are documented from 1985–2011. Two were county second-team cup wins: 15–3 in 1985 and 14–6 in the 1987/88 campaign, when the Extras went on to lift the trophy.

Colts records show at least 13 conventional matches with OLs across 1974/75–2024/25, plus a 2021 adapted-rules meeting. The clubs have also joined forces: a combined Colts side reached the 2004 county final. These are recorded minimums for the named teams, not complete all-time or whole-club totals.

Club history and results archive

This week at Moorefields

Already this week: Monday 12: FORAF, 11:30am–3pm; Coventry Academy training, 6:30pm–about 9pm; Elite Fitness, 7–8pm; Frisbee, 7–9:30pm. Tuesday 13: Art Class, 8:30am–5:30pm; Leek Wootton FC, 6–7:15pm; U14s, 6:30–8pm; Seniors & Colts, 7–8:30pm; Club Night, 7pm.

Wednesday 14: U10s training, 6:30–7:30pm; Elite Fitness, 7–8pm; Committee Meeting, 7:30pm.

Thursday 15: SBK booking, 9am–4pm; Union U11s, 6–7pm; Leek Wootton training, 6–7:15pm; Seniors & Colts and Ladies training, 7–8:30pm.

Friday 16: Slimming World, 7–11am; Club Night, 5–8pm; U12s training, 5:30–6:30pm; Elite Fitness, 7–8pm. Colts fixture as above.

Monday 19: Elite Fitness, 7–8pm; Frisbee, 7–9:30pm.

Weekend rugby is listed above. Organisational bookings are shown for information; they are not invitations to attend.

Half-term rugby: Monday 26 October

Coventry Rugby’s Development Camp comes to Leamington RFC from 9am–3pm for boys and girls in U6–U12 age groups. The cost is £26 per person, with coaching aimed at skills, confidence and enjoyment. Book online; queries to community@coventryrugby.co.uk. See the poster in the illustrated edition.

Book the Coventry Rugby camp

Retro fleeces: order by 28 October

Our 3/4-zip retro fleeces cost £45 for adults or £36 for children; initials are £5 extra. Check the size guide before ordering. Orders close on 28 October, with the club placing its order on 29 October for intended Christmas arrival. A useful chance to get ahead of December’s usual last-minute dash.

Order fleeces and view the size guide

International tickets: contact Richard Miller promptly

Six Nations 2027 tickets are selling quickly. Several England–Scotland tickets are already spoken for, but the club has now purchased a few more for allocation. England–France tickets also remain available. Send applications promptly to Richard Miller at Randlmill@btinternet.com or contact him on 07711 095278.

Please do not transfer money to the LRFC bank account until your request has been confirmed. The application deadline for France/Scotland is 1 November; apply for Italy as soon as possible. Eligible paid membership or sponsorship is required, as set out in the original form supplied with this edition.

Download the Six Nations application form

Membership and the 200 Club

A brief reminder from Membership Secretary Bill Dalton: subscriptions have been due since the beginning of September. Please pay promptly if outstanding, and check that any standing order is for the correct amount.

The long-running 200 Club supports club funds. £5 a month buys one draw number, £10 two and £15 three. Quarterly prizes are £300, £200, £100 and £50; the Christmas first prize is £500. Family and friends are welcome too.

Join by monthly standing order in £5 multiples: Leamington Rugby/Netball 200 Club; sort code 30-94-93; account 01049812. Then email Phil McGaffin at pgaff99@gmail.com or Simon David at simon123david@gmail.com so a number can be allocated and entered. The club, Phil or Simon can answer queries. The next draw is at the last home game in October; the Christmas draw is at the last home game before Christmas.

Rugby beyond Moorefields

The Red Roses face Canada in Toronto this weekend: Friday 16 October locally, with the UK start at midnight as Saturday 17 October begins. Another Canada Test follows the next weekend. Closer to home, Warwickshire has published its U14, U15 and U16 Junior Cup information, with finals planned for 25 April 2027.

Red Roses tour update (BBC report)
World Rugby appointments
Warwickshire Junior Cup

Thank you to everyone coaching, playing, volunteering and keeping Moorefields busy. See you at the club.

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

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