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In Touch No 320 – 23 March 2022

In Touch No 320 – 23 March 2022

John Lyons23 Mar 2022 - 08:01

Extras beat Swans Club dinner and VP lunch 200 Club 150 years since first game

The first team had the weekend off, but the Extras took on Stratford under lights on Friday night in their return Warwickshire League 1 fixture. Stratford beat us quite comfortable back in October and turned up with a good side, but we were just that little bit better and won by three tries to one in a tight game. Patch Northover, Greg Atherton and Ant Batchelor all touched down to give us a 17-5 win. The game has been recorded and can be found on the club’s Facebook page or on YouTube.

This week the first team have a difficult away fixture at Evesham who are vying with Nuneaton Old Eds for the top spot, an amazing change in their fortunes after finishing bottom but one in the Covid- ended season. They are one of the best teams we have seen at Moorefields this season although we were hampered in playing our running game in the absence of our key running backs and failed to put any points on the board.

The Extras are trying to arrange a fixture at home and it is looking like Old Leamingtonians but this will be confirmed later in the week. Kick off 3.00

Another reminder - Club Dinner and VP Lunch
The Annual Club Dinner will be held at the club on Friday 29 April. The guest speaker is Phil Davies, former Welsh international and now Director of Rugby for World Rugby. Get in touch with Phil McGaffin if you want to go.

Also, we have the final VP lunch of the season coming up on Saturday 2 April prior to the Kidderminster game at 12.30 (for 1.00). Please let Jim Mills know asap whether you want to come along. His email is jim.mills@leaas.co.uk

The final draw for the 200 Club will be held at the VP lunch. If you want to get into the draw, please contact Kit Forrest on 07748 658086 or kit.forrest951@gmail.com It is £5 per month per number

What was possibly the first recorded football game in Leamington was played under Rugby Rules, 150 years ago this month between Leamington Football Club and Allesley College from Coventry. The Football Club may have been an off-shoot of Leamington Cricket Club which is reported to have formed a football club in 1871. The following report of the game appeared in The Leamington Advertiser

‘FOOTBALL AT LEAMINGTON - On Saturday last, taking advantage of the fine weather, the newly formed Leamington Football Club played their first home match. Their opponents were the Allesley Park College. The game was fixed to commence at 3:30 and shortly before that time the visitors arrived on the ground. It was at once apparent that in point of weight they were much lighter than their opponents, but anyone anticipating for the latter an easy victory, would have been mistaken. Leamington won the toss, and chose the home goal, having the sun at their backs and what little wind there was in their favour. Punctual to time the ball was kicked off by the College captain with a good place kick, which soon sent the ball travelling towards the Leamington goal and then commenced the tug-of-war. First, from one side to the other the ball was carried, but so well did the visitors play to the ball, that at any moment the home goal might have been in danger. It then became apparent that, although inferior in weight the skill of the Allesley College club in running and doubling told heavily on their opponents who now began to feel the effects of the heavy work to which they were unaccustomed. Half the time had nearly gone and still neither side had scored a goal. At this time the Umpire having declared a foul, the ball was put down and to the cries of “Leamington” and “Allesley”, the sides closed up, as if each thought the right moment had arrived for a decisive struggle. Backwards and forwards the ball was fought, each side striving the utmost to force the ball out. At last, shouts of “gone” told that the ball had broken. At that moment Lyons, one of the Leamington backs, caught the ball, and making one of the best runs of the day, secured the first touchdown for Leamington; but failing to kick a goal, the game was resumed. Leamington now began to play up, evidently with the intention of retaining their advantage, but their opponents fought hard for victory and disputed every step. At this time, a very good run by Pole, for the visitors carried the ball past the forwards placing the home goal in danger, but Pratt soon had the ball down when another scrimmage took place. The ball was gradually but surely worked towards the college goal, over which it was kicked out at 4:10 by Davy thus securing the first goal to Leamington. From this time the home goal was never in danger, but a good run by Pratt secured another touchdown, which being well kicked by Lyons, gained the second goal for the home team. Till time was called at 5:00, no further change took place in the game, and the Leamington club were declared the winners, by two goals to nothing. Three cheers for the visitors, and responded to by the Allesley club, closed a good day’s game. For Leamington, Pratt, Lyons Davy and Hubbard played well as also did Greenslade and Pole for the visitors.”

The Leamington Courier also reported the game and said that “at the commencement of the game the Allesley had the best of it, but after a time the tide completely turned because of the excellent play of Mr Lyon, who was as good as five or six men put together and could run as fast as a deer.

johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com

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