Sunday morning came around all to quick for the U12's after a positive start at the Harbury Festival the previous week, the weather was going to play a huge factor on the days game, handling would be difficult with the rain, the running would be hard with the wind and to make matters worse the team was decimated with non availability for the game, 5 players were off playing football, family events, parties, and the odd holiday to the States.

The coach, Lee, looked out the window when he awoke, saw the grim picture of bad weather and thought the team might suffer even further with non availability.

The players started to arrive at the club, the weather had not deterred a depleted team from turning out, there was a smell in the air that the coach could not quite make out.... (no it wasn't Xavier's feet changing his trainers for boots when they arrived via his mum because he forgot them.)

After a quick warm up and pre match brief the lads took to the field, Stratford looked a very capable team and were raring to go, Leamington had the kick off, a long kick into the Stratford 22 by Basher Foster saw Stratford start to make an assault for the Leamington gaol line, after a few tackles and excellent counter rucking Leamington got the turnover, the attacking line was there,(yes it was Andy) the passes were being made to hand despite the torrent of water from the heavens (yes they were Andy), the ball ended out on the wing in the hands of the Ginger Ninja Sinnott who made a lighting run down the right wing, stepping several Stratford players, evading tackles, phoning his mum to reserve his grub after the game, you get the picture... the first try was scored!

Stratford decided to kick from the restart probably hoping to gain ground and put the Leamington defence under some serious pressure, this was the wrong decision, the ball was gratefully received by Basher Foster and as usual he made a strong run up the middle of the park with ample support from his team mates, wait for it Andy....... he actually used that support! A deft pass out to his right, the ball once again making it down the the impressive attacking line to guess who?.....you got it..the Ginger Ninja, another superb team attack put the ever so quick Drew in for his second score.

This was pretty much repeated again like an episode of Dads Army on Gold, the Stratford team were heard to shout, 'Not him again' and 'Tackle him, don't let him through'.

Drew didn't score all the tries in the first half, he is not a greedy lad, he let the play come in field to delight of Basher Foster and Bosher Allerton with some good secure rucking and recycling from the rest of the team helped secure a further 3 tries in the half, the half time score being 30-10. The Stratford tries came from some good pressure on the Leamington goal line and after holding one attempt to score the defence was finally defeated at the second time of asking.

The second half was under way, Stratford must have had a serious talk from their coach, they came out strong and put the Leamington defence under serious pressure and converted that pressure into 2 quick scores, Stratford where on the fight back.

Leamington captain Quickfoot Quelch noticed the morale had dropped in his team mates, heads were bowed, Quickfoot was having none of this, he shouted to his team mates to pull themselves together and stop thinking about playing Xbox or PS3 later in the afternoon! The captains words were what the lads needed, the team seemed rejuvenated and after more excellent forward play Leamington secured another 2 tries to make the score 40-20 with 5mins to go.

The Leamington U12's were wet, cold and thinking of the nice post match food on offer after the game at Ross Recess in the clubhouse, (the ref was looking forward to a nice cold beverage to warm him up!) this lapse in concentration saw Stratford get another sneaky try in the corner, after yet another talk from captain Quickfoot the lads scored the final try of the game. Final score 45-25!

It was a very impressive performance by ALL the players, every man put 100% into the game and came out with a deserving win in very difficult conditions.

Oh and that smell in the air the coach couldn't make out...... VICTORY!!!!!