We were sad to hear the news that Frankie Rickells, one of our long serving Netball players, died suddenly on 24 August. She was a big personality and a mainstay of the club, known to all as “three shot Frankie”. Her funeral will be on 20 September (details to follow). Frankie was the daughter of Phil Rickells, who played with us as a wing forward in the mid-1980s and we send our condolences to Phil and his family.
A good start to the season over the weekend –
The Second XV travelled over to Old Coventrians on Saturday and came away with a 36-12 win. The highlight was a try apiece for our microlight front row of Ian Gasgoigne, Mark Warrilow and skipper Scott Peters. Despite conceding a try in the opening minutes, Leamington responded with controlled open rugby to score first half tries from Peters, Warrilow and Drew Sinnott to lead 17 - 5 at half time. Chris Morris bulldozed over the try-line early in the second half and Ian Gasgoigne fell over it later on. Rich McKoewn sprinted in from the half way to add another and he also added three conversions.
Man of the Match was Ed Grey on his welcome return to the club.
On Sunday the First XV entertained Earlsdon in the Warwickshire Shield and we broke the holders’ three year grip on the trophy with a narrow 24-20 win. In an exiting but yellow-card ridden game, the lead changed hands several times before newcomer Callum Merrett completed a hat-trick of tries with about 12 minutes to go. Earlsdon came back strongly at the end and we had to resist a succession of forward drives against our line and had two players binned and conceded a number of penalties before the final whistle blew. [see John Warner’s report on website] We have drawn Rugby St Andrews (away) in the next round, they having put out Pinley 36-12.
This coming week –
The First XV is at home to Silhillians in the opening league game on Saturday – kick off at 3.00. You may recall that we played the Sills in the Shield on the opening match day last season and managed to lose the game after leading by 13 points well into injury time. We lost by two points in Solihull a few weeks later when we failed to make a late conversion, but we were well beaten over here at the end of season. The Seconds are away at Solihull.
The Colts make their start to the season at Newbold, kicking off at 3.00. They are being managed by Harry Gooch and Mark Baldwin, with the aid of parents, and they have been training hard in good numbers throughout the summer. For the first time in some years we have a good mixture of first and second year players and we are hoping that they will have a more successful campaign. “The Bold” will be a good opening test.
Also on Saturday we will be holding the first draw of the season for the 200 Club. This is organised by Kit Forrest and is one of our best and reliable sources of income for the club and has even greater potential if we can increase the numbers signing-on. It is only £5 per month to join and there are four draws each season with cash prizes of £300, £200, £100 and £50 with an extra prize of £500 in the Christmas draw. A flier and a bank mandate are attached and if you sign up by Saturday you can go into this week’s draw.
On Sunday the mini and junior sides are continuing with training and signing on.
On 21 September the 1st XV are at home to Northampton Casuals in the Intermediate Cup and the Seconds and Colts are also at home - to Shipston and Old Laurentians respectively. The Rugby World Cup will be kicking off in Japan in the morning with New Zealand playing South Africa in a blockbusting fixture at 10.45. We will be opening the club for the game with breakfast/brunch available
On 28 September, the First XV are at Southam. The Seconds are at home to the same opposition and the Colts entertain the Trojans.
5 October promises to be a big day. England are playing Argentina at 9.00 and we will be open for that. We then have the first VP lunch at 12.30 for 1.00 and at 3.00 the First XV are at home to Spartans in the League and the Colts entertain Earlsdon. The Seconds are away at Spartans
The VP lunch is being organised by Barry Hopkinson who will be taking over the job from Charlie Gardner who has been running the show for about eight years. Barrie is in the process of contacting the regular attenders to get the usual tables together but if you want to come and haven’t been contacted please let me know and I will pass on the information to Barrie.
On the RWC generally, the games are being played in the mornings and televised on ITV. The club is normally open for six mornings a week for games or maintenance (excluding Thursdays) and we will open up or extend our hours subject to demand. Food will also be available for a modest cost. At the moment we are anticipating being open for the following games but the list will evolve as we get into the tournament.
• 21.09 Sat. 10.45 NZ v South Africa
• 22.09 Sun. 11.15 England v Tonga
• 26.09 Thur. 11.45 England v USA
• 29.09 Sun. 8.45 Australia v Wales
• 02.10 Wed. 8.45 France v USA
• 05.10 Sat. 9.00 England v Argentina
• 09.10 Wed. 10.45 Wales v Fiji
• 12.10 Sat. 9.15 England v France

Club membership subscriptions are due. Forms have been attached to In-Touch for the last few weeks and are available from me.
Senior Rugby Playing Members £240 (£195 if paid by 30 September) or £20 per month by Standing order - this is inclusive of match fees, post-match food, gym use and physiotherapy
Student and Colts £50 (student refers to players in full time education)
Vice Presidents £70 (donations above this requested, but optional)
Social Members £50
Gym Member £100 for use of the gym (£50 additional for VPs and £70 for Social Members

.

Johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com
tomchandler@sky.com.
Web site: – www.pitchero.com/clubs/leamington
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leamingtonrfc
Facebook: Leamington RFC & Leamington RFC Players
Thanks to our sponsors
We are fortunate to have a large number of loyal and generous sponsors. They are listed below
and we will be featuring them in more detail over the coming weeks and we hope that members
will patronise them when they can:-
O’Briens Contractors – www.obriencontractors.co.uk/
Unit 4 # London Camera Exchange - www.unit4.com
London Camera Exchange - https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Branch/?Branch=Leamington+Spa
Field Overell Solicitors - www.fieldoverell.com
Alliance & General Leasing - www.allianceandgeneral.co.uk/
Leaders - www.leaders.co.uk/branches/leamington-spa
The Globe - Oakmans Inns - www.theglobewarwick.co.uk
Greensleeves - www.greensleeves.org.uk/care-homes/arden-house-leamington-spa/
Aubrey AllenOscars Bistro - https://aubreyallen.co.uk/
Brian Holt Estate agent - http://www.brianholt.co.uk/
Band Hatton Solicitors - www.bandhattonbutton.com
Event Specialists - www.eventspecialistsltd.com/
Wright Hassall Solicitors - www.wrighthassall.co.uk
Vastec - www.vastec.co.uk
PM Strategic Sourcing Ltd - http://www.nhslabels.co.uk/
OFFER OF THE WEEK!!
Aubrey Allen
10% off on Tuesdays in the shop to be used on the meat and cheese counter.
Excludes delicatessen and prepacked goods.
Please quote Aubrey1RFCat point of payment
Thanks to our sponsors. We are fortunate to have a large number of loyal and generous sponsors. They are listed below and we hope that members will patronise them when they can:-
O’Briens Contractors – www.obriencontractors.co.uk/
Unit 4 # London Camera Exchange - www.unit4.com
London Camera Exchange - https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Branch/?Branch=Leamington+Spa
Field Overell Solicitors - www.fieldoverell.com
Alliance & General Leasing - www.allianceandgeneral.co.uk/
Leaders - www.leaders.co.uk/branches/leamington-spa
The Globe - Oakmans Inns - www.theglobewarwick.co.uk
Greensleeves - www.greensleeves.org.uk/care-homes/arden-house-leamington-spa/
Aubrey AllenOscars Bistro - https://aubreyallen.co.uk/
Brian Holt Estate agent - http://www.brianholt.co.uk/
Band Hatton Solicitors - www.bandhattonbutton.com
Event Specialists - www.eventspecialistsltd.com/
Wright Hassall Solicitors - www.wrighthassall.co.uk
Vastec - www.vastec.co.uk
PM Strategic Sourcing Ltd - http://www.nhslabels.co.uk/