For their opening game of the season against OLs , Leamington fielded a good mix of youth and experience with four Colts graduates making their senior debuts (Logan Deely, Cameron Dewey, Ollie Boyes and Kofi Miller) and a few familiar faces returning. Leamington played an impressive first-half with some great running rugby, led by captain Danny Russyvelt and newcomer Jack Hughes in the back row. OL’s were unable to contain us as we moved the ball with width and pace. After a number of chances, we finally got on the scoresheet with a wonder finish from Oliie Boyes, scoring in the corner despite being tackled by three OLs players. Great handling by the centre partnership of Jim Robertson and Logan Deely then put Kofi Miller away to score. Good work by the second row pairing of Ali Weedon and Steve Chandler at the breakdown ensured we had quick ball and the final act of the first half saw Josh Jones feeding Toby Bruce, who took the ball up to the line and fed Chris Morris, who cut a great line to go in under the sticks for a half-time score of 19-0.

In the second half we were more on defensive duties, despite continuing to make some great breaks as the game become more fractured. Mark Symmonds and Cameron Dewey put in some great tackles, stopping the opposition momentum and the Olsons kicking provided some great counter attack opportunities for Adam McGuigan, who came on at fullback for Dave Cotton who had proved a safe pair of hands in the first half. Eventually OL’s turned to their driving maul game and scored from close range off a lineout. Leamington found themselves camped on their own goal line in the later stages but the defence held out until just before the end he end when we were reduced to 14 men following a “professional indiscretion” from Mark Baldwin attempting to stop the hosts' second try. Their conversion brought the game to an end with a 19-14 win for Leamington The day was also a brotherly affair with Jacob & Daniel Sanneh putting in an immense shift in the front row and Ant & Nathan Batchelor finishing the game with a flourish in the back-row.