I am sad to report the death of Phil Marsland who passed away on 3 April after several months’ illness. Phil joined the club in 1971 as a 19-year-old, having moved to the area from Halifax with his parents John and Joan, who both became keen supporters of the club. Qualified as a Colt he played some games in our embryonic junior side and on one occasion scored a club record 7 tries in a game, against Trinity Guild. He soon started to make his way up the senior sides and made his debut against Sutton Coldfield in March 1972 and held his place for the rest of the season. A centre and occasional full-back, he was a powerful runner with good skills and he became a regular First XV or Extras player throughout the 1970s with an interlude when he moved to try his chances with Rugby Lions for a while. Overall he made about 95 first team appearances for Leamington. His last first team game was against Stratford in 1983/84 but he continued to play down the sides well into his 30s and was a useful asset to any team. He was also a keen golfer and became one of the original members of the club’s golf section and was its Treasurer for a long time. He continued to support the club after his playing retirement and was a regular supporter on the touchline until last autumn, when his health began to deteriorate.
Our best condolences and best wishes go to his wife Sandra and their family. Funeral arrangements are confirmed as follows – Canley Crematorium, Coventry, at 1.45 on Wednesday 19 April and afterwards at the club

It was an exciting finish to the Papa John cup game against Stafford on Saturday. We dominated most of the game and led 20-7 through tries from Garrett Bell and Gareth Shuttleworth (2) and were leading by 13 points and looking home and dry going into the last 10 minutes. But our visitors upped their game and scored a converted try with 10 minutes to go and then threw everything into attack and scored again in injury time with the conversion putting them a point in front. Having blown it, we went straight back onto the attack and won an instant reprieve when Ed Gray charged down a relieving kick and got the winning try with moments to spare. Our reigning player of the year Ali Weedon was at No 8 for the visitors. Please see John Warner’s full report on the website. The video is not yet available.

The latest news about the Papa Doc competition is that we have drawn Stamford away in the second round, to be played on 15 April. We have not played Stamford before, but like us they have finished fifth in their league, won by Wellingborough, and they have finished in good form with wins over Dunstablians, Long Buckby and Stockwood Park. They had a bye in the first round of the Papa Doc last week. Travel arrangements will notified

The was the rare treat of two games at home with the Seconds taking on Spartans in a re-arranged Warwickshire 1 game. The North Warwickshire side came by coach in fancy dress for their annual end of season binge. They were not in celebratory mood after the game which we won comfortably by 30-15. Our side had 12 changes from the week before and looked like a lost prop-erty shop with the return of heavyweights Mark Warrilow, Chris Cooper, and even Paddy Tolan after lengthy absences. Tries by Conor Chamberlain (2) Roger Mullis, Mark Warrilow and Ben Parsons clinched the points

There are no games scheduled this week, it being Easter. The next games will be on 15 April with the firsts at Stamford and the seconds playing more locally against Old Leamingtonians. The club will be open from about 3.00 this Saturday to watch the European games on TV and the bar will open at 4.00, till 7.00

We have been given the opportunity to provide marshalls for the Two Castles run on Sunday 11 June (0800 – 1100) with each marshal earning £50 for the club. If you are willing to help please email Lucy Ramsbottom at lucy@ramsbottom-events.co.uk

The 200 Club draw was made on Saturday and the lucky winners were. If you want to get in the club please contact Kit Forrest on 07748 658086 or kit.forrest1951@gmail.com

£300 Nick Olds, £200 John Hodgetts, £100 Derren Nisbet, £50 Charlie Gardner

johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com