Playing under the flood lights of Webb Ellis Road, in this Friday night Warwickshire Cup tie, Leamington ultimately fell to the pace of the hosts back line, in what turned out to be a very absorbing match.
Leamington had a very bright start to the game with two quick-fire, charging runs from Matt Patching. Then they had to back track in to defence as the hosts pressed and it took the sharp intervention of Gareth Shuttleworth to clear the danger.
On four minutes of play a seemingly disarming kick into the Rugby half was latched on to by the home side right winger, who dummied his pass inside, then set off on a race down the flank to score in the corner. Rugby, buoyed by this score continued to press and increased their lead with a converted score on nine minutes of play.
From the restart, Leamington hooker, Harry Gooch, linked up with his back division and the combination gave Jamie Harrison his first opportunity to run at the home side and so test their defensive capabilities.
Leamington then, once again lost out to the pace of the Rugby attack, conceding a try and shortly after, a penalty goal. So with twenty-two or so minutes on the clock and already twenty points adrift, it looked as though Leamington were going to be in for a disappointing night.
The gloom was, however, soon lifted as the visitors suddenly found their feet and got to grips with the tempo of the game. They began a series of attacks in the home red zone, which ultimately resulted in a push-over score, Matt Patching getting the all important last touch on the ball. Jim Robertson’s return to the side was christened with one of his trademark, effortless conversions. He soon followed this up with a penalty goal and within a flash, Leamington were starting to give the hosts plenty to think about.
Gooch was once again instrumental in getting the Leamington attack moving and as the ball was moved out to Harrison, his pace and trickery resulted in the hosts conceding another penalty, gratefully accepted by the boot of Robertson to bring his side within seven points of the Lions.
Half-Time: 20 – 13
The interval did nothing to diminish the spirit of the Leamington squad as they began with a superb run by Tom Daplyn, who almost unlocked the home side defence single-handedly. Then Jamie Harrison had the crowd up on their toes with a blistering run, beginning in his own half and ultimately just being held up short of the hosts try line.
Whilst Leamington then had to contend with a penalty goal from Rugby, at the restart they had the home supporter’s nerves jangling with one of their best passages of play. Claiming possession from the kick-off and deep in Rugby’s half, the Leamington pack produced a seemingly unstoppable rolling maul. Edging closer to the try line, at pace, they were thwarted by some last ditch intervention from a very worried Rugby defence.
The match had been a very entertaining and open encounter and the home side had no doubt taken the tie very seriously, putting out a very strong squad. This brought them further reward in the form of two additional tries and they ran out worthy winners. Leamington, too, had made a major contribution to the night’s entertainment, with some very enterprising play at times.
Full Time: 35 - 13
Next week Leamington return to league duty with a trip to Nuneaton Old Edwardians, kick-off 2.15pm.