In contrast to last week’s weather conditions, the Seconds took on Leicestershire League leaders Lutterworth in early spring sunshine on Saturday and in an even game came-up just short losing 24-14 with Mark Baldwin and John Brear scoring our two tries, both converted by Alex Johnson
The Seconds will now focus on their Warwickshire Shield final against Shipston on Sunday (6 March). The game is being held at neutral Harbury, under the auspices of Warwickshire RFU and there is an admission charge of £3.00 - CASH ONLY. Shipston’s first team are going well and are third place in South West (Southern Counties) North, which is the equivalent level to ours and they are looking like promotion prospects. Their Second string have recently beaten Barkers Butts and Earlsdon, so we can expect strong opposition.
The First team had the day off on Saturday and will resume league fixtures this week with a visit to Berkswell & Balsall. The villagers have had a strong season and they beat us quite comfortably at Moorefields in November and were on a winning run until they played Evesham two weeks ago.
Please note, that as we are now in March, kick off time moves back to 3.00 from 2.15. The Shield final is an exception to the rule and retains a 2.15 kick off in case of the possibility of extra time.
On Sunday, the mini sides are all playing at Pinley, the U13 are at Harbury (TBC), the U!5 are at home to Pinley and the U16 are at Newbold
50 years ago on Saturday I played for Leamington Tigers on the graveyard pitch at Bedworth on an awful stormy day which caused the cancellation of hundreds of sporting events throughout the Midlands. The Leamington 5th string were not to be put-off however and turned up with 14 players and were supplemented by a Bedworth spare who introduced himself as Biff. Shortly before kick-off, a torrential and sustained hailstorm started up, blowing the length of the pitch into the Leamington faces - painful for everyone but worst for the Tigers all-bald backline of Brian Badger, Mick Murray, Eddie Green and myself who played for forty minutes into the blizzard without a single hair of protection between us and hailstones the size of frozen peas which ricocheted off our pates. A soccer game was being played on an adjoining pitch although at right angles to the hail and our referee would not abandon our game whilst they were still playing. They quit at half time and as soon as they were out of site he blew full -time and we ran for cover

Johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com