Saturday 18th September 2010Midlands 1 West

Old Laurentian RFC v Old Halesonians RFC

Programme£2

Match Ball sponsored byRay Roberts

on production of your club discount card

Welcome to Fenley Field Welcome to friends old and new to Fenley Field for the second home game of what promises to be an intriguing and competitive season. We are delighted to welcome Old Halesonians here today. In recent times we have met Hales just once, in December 2007 when we played them at Fenley Field in

an EDF Senior Vase tie, On that occasion they secured a comfortable 27-6 victory and went right through to the Midlands final, where they went down to Sutton Coldfield, their first (and only) reverse that season. Our grateful thanks go to Ray Roberts for generously sponsoring today’s match ball; and we are also pleased to welcome today’s referee Matthew Coultas, who is on an exchange visit to Warwickshire from Notts, Lincs & Derbys Society. It’s good to be back in Midlands One, the level in the league structure to which we feel we belong. Until last season’s brilliant run of thirteen consecutive league victories which earned us promotion, we had suffered three frustrating seasons in Midlands Two, twice missing out on the top two spots by the narrowest of margins. We will come nowhere near an unbeaten run of such length in present league company – in fact, it’s difficult to see any club doing it in this division. For certain, though, you will see some attractive and compelling rugby played at Fenley Field and all the grounds we visit over the course of this season. There are times in the game at the top level when the fundamentals get lost in a fog of complication. Some of that has infiltrated our level but the patterns we see week in week out will be simpler and more classic, with individual skills still to the fore, blending into the team game. There has been a lot going on around the clubhouse and grounds during the close season. Despite standing down as Chairman, Reiner Ferguson has been as busy as ever in continuing to take responsibility for house and ground maintenance and my particular thanks are due to him and the numerous club members who have worked hard over the summer months to ensure that our facilities are in good order. Enjoy the game and your day with us.

Bill Bill Wallis Chairman, OLRFC

When only the best will do

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Today’s Visitors Old Halesonians RFC

Old Halesonians Rugby Club was formed in 1930 using the playing fields of the Halesowen Grammar School (now Earls High School). In 1946 The Old Halesonians Association started a memorial fund for old scholars killed in the War and

soon raised £685-14-8d. By 1954 this sum had increased to £1000, but finding playing fields was proving to be difficult. Later that year the club bought 12 acres of sloping land near the Halesowen Bypass for £920. In 1961, A&J Mucklow builders agreed to exchange the club’s land for 13.5 acres at Wassell Grove. They laid 2 rugby pitches, a cricket square and a hockey pitch and gave the Association £10,000 to build a pavilion which was officially opened on 21st April 1965. Vast improvements have occurred since then. A member’s lounge was first added in 1969 and redesigned in 1983 and considerable extensions to the building were also made. The real effort has gone into the land, which was just a bog initially, but, after 20 years of hard work (and over £50,000) proper drainage pipes have been laid. In 1986/87 the club bought some more land which is now the first XV pitch. Today the club has 6 rugby pitches (one floodlit), a floodlit training area, 8 changing rooms, a gymnasium, a 118 seat stand on the first XV pitch and a bar/members lounge selling the best beer in the Midlands - or so they are told! We look forward to our visit on December 18th, when we can sample the facilities (and the beer!) The club have been on a steep upward incline in recent seasons. When we played them in the EDF Senior Vase in December 2007, they were playing at a level below us – Midlands 3 West (N). Promoted with a 100% record at the end of that season, they repeated the feat the following season to be promoted to Midlands One and so leapfrog us. Last season, their first at this level, they finished a respectable 9th. This season they have posted their intentions early and arrive on the back of two straight wins, over Nuneaton Old Eds and, last week, against Whitchurch, in a 39-30 thriller! Their victims last week can be expected to be one of this season’s front runners, emphasising the size of the task we face today.

Next 1st XV Home Match

Whitchurch Saturday 25th September, ko 3.00pm

Midlands One West

Who’s Who at OLs President Duncan Snook

Chairman Bill Wallis 01788 333043

Secretary Alan Willis 01788 813481

Treasurer Keith Baxter 01788 521950

Chairman, Playing Committee Colin Wiles 01788 811782

Fixture Secretary Mick Roberts 01788 574247

Commercial Manager Bill Wallis 01788 333043

House & Grounds and Gym Reiner Ferguson 01788 541295

Ladies Committee Chair Leah Hope 07810 341667

Membership Treasurer & 200 Club

James Melvin 07739 383225

Web Manager & Press Officer Ray Todd 01788 804220

Club Coaches Mark Palmer, Denzil Evans Chris Wade Neal Leeming Adam Mitchell

Griffin Club Pete Staines 01788 817401

Club Shop Leigh Fisher 01788 535472

Club Steward Chris Tew 07886 581613

Club Physio James Neal 07928 253414

Fenley Field, Lime Tree Avenue, Bilton, Rugby, CV22 7QT

01788 810855

The League Points Scoring System Introduced this season at level 6 and below in the league structure is the points system which has been in use for some time in the national leagues. This is:

• Points awarded for a win: 4 • Points awarded for a draw: 2 • For scoring 4 tries or more in a match: 1 bonus point • For losing by a margin of 7 points or less: 1 bonus

point With 5 points now available for a 4 try win, the gap between the leading clubs and the also-rans can grow pretty quickly

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1st XV Match Report Midlands 1 West - Saturday 11th September Nuneaton Old Edwardians 31 - Old Laurentians 10 With a number of key players missing through injury or non-availability, OLs travelled with an unfamiliar looking line-up to Old Eds Weddington Road ground, a venue at which they have rarely been successful in recent seasons. But for forty minutes it looked as if they would reverse that trend as they dominated territory and possession to put their opponents on the back foot and build a 10-0 lead. Then, in added time at the end of the first half, Old Eds exploited a defensive lapse to score a try for a half time score of 10-5. It was a different picture in the second forty when OLs were largely the architects of their own downfall, poor judgement and basic errors contributing directly to three of the home side’s four tries after the break. In an impressive first half display, with fly half Denzil Evans dictating where and how the game was played and their pack operating well as a unit, OLs turned their pressure into points after 28 minutes when lock Dan Volkman was driven over for a try that Evans converted for a 7-0 lead. After a near miss minutes earlier, Evans slotted a fine penalty on 33 minutes to increase the lead, then saw his next attempt bounce back off the crossbar. Playing in the unfamiliar position of full back, Richard Parker pulled off a fine tackle to thwart a rare Old Eds attack and save a try. But deep into first half injury time, Old Eds Brown exploited some indifferent OLs defence on the blind side to run in for a try in the corner to reduce the deficit at the break. The home side, inspired by that score, lifted their game in the second period to take the game to OLs. After coming on as a more than useful replacement, Old Eds’ Hyslop was quickest to react when OLs failed to control possession near their own line, the ball squirting out for the centre to pounce for a try. Converted by Peacock, this gave the home side the lead for the first time at 12-10 with 13 minutes of the half gone. Hooker Ollie Cowley, one of OLs’ most effective forwards, was forced off by a shoulder injury after twenty minutes, the evergreen Gary Hammond taking his place, But their defensive effort held under increasing pressure from the home side until the thirty minute mark, when replacement wing Ben Roberts was harshly judged to have deliberately knocked on as he went for a tempting interception opportunity. From the quickly taken penalty, Old Eds forceful centre Peacock took advantage of defensive disarray to power over from 30 metres out to score, the try lifting his side’s lead to 17-10.

1st XV match report v Nuneaton Old Eds (continued) In the final minutes of the game, OLs generously presented their hosts with two further tries when coughing up possession through poorly executed plays deep in their own half, Peacock again and Scott going over for Old Eds. Peacock converted both to give the final score a decidedly lop-sided look, but one the visitors could hardly complain about given their second half frailties.

In what was ultimately a disappointing display, lock Ben O’Riordan stood out yet again for his lineout work, having to bear the brunt of the burden in the absence of Paul Willis and making one superb catch on Old Eds throw to deny them as they built pressure on OLs line in the first half. Ollie Cowley was everywhere in the loose, Glenn Todd kept going forward as ever and Dan Volkman used his strength well to claim OLs try.

Doing duty as a wing forward on this occasion, Danny Murch’s thrust at centre three-quarter was missed, one typically incisive run deep in the second half just being held as the line beckoned. A bonus was the first team debut in the centre of Ben Shepherd, who offered glimpses of his power going forward; but circumstances were not good for what was a first time partnership with Matt Miller against a very strong Old Eds centre pairing.

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Sundry Stuff Warwickshire Cup Draws The 1st XV have an away draw against Southam, to be played on the 6th or 7th November, but subject to our opponents not being involved in the RFU Senior Vase on those dates. The 2nds play Coventry Welsh on 9th or 10th October. Rugby Roundup We are uploading our match stats in full to the Rugby Roundup website each week and thus far only 5 of the other 13 sides in our league have not done so. It is to be hoped that they will start loading their match details soon as the stats collected on the site become meaningless if there is not 100% support for this very helpful source of information. It provides useful clues to the strengths of opposition teams and if you haven’t had a look at the site it is worth doing so. Go to www.rugbyroundup.com, then select ‘England’ from the ‘Country’ menu top left; go to ‘Competitions’ in the menu along the top and select Midlands. Six Nations Tickets Applications for tickets for the 2011 Six Nations tournament must be with Vic Smith by 25th September so time is running out if you want to be there. Click on the link on the home page of the club website for full information, including Vic’s contact details. The Bernai is finally captured! The long hunt for the elusive creature known as the Bernai finally came to an end last Saturday when he was apprehended in Bangor Co. Down! Following a marriage ceremony he is now in the custody of his new keeper, Mrs Jenny Burnett. The final act of the long running saga was witnessed by a sizeable gathering from OLRFC, as

The Bernai captured (cont’d) might have been concluded by the absence of several leading personalities from the field of play last weekend! Look out for the new, improved Bernai when he returns to action at Fenley Field before long (if he dares to show his face after getting married in the season!) The Club Shop It is intended to make available an increasing number of club match and leisure wear items through the Webb Ellis website. Unfortunately, they have been out of stock of some lines recently but are making serious efforts to remedy the situation. We should see an improved stock situation very soon, including a new style of match shorts. However we still hold stocks of many items at the clubhouse, including ties, match socks and training tops – and various items of leisure wear, some of which are offered at knockdown prices to clear. See Leigh Fisher or Bill Wallis on match days to buy. The Ladies Committee Many thanks to the Ladies Committee for organising our first social event of the season after the Leamington game on 4th September. The OLs Festival was a resounding success and very well attended – although you may not have recognised immediately the collection of gorillas, legionnaires and sundry other well disguised members who enlivened the occasion. 200 Club Winner The winner of the September draw was Bill Bass, so get your begging letters off quickly before the proceeds disappear over the bar. If you are not a member, please see James Melvin, who will happily take your money!

Calendar of Events, 2010/11

25th Sept. VP’s Luncheon, 12.30pm 5th Nov. Bonfire Night 12th Dec. Ladies Committee – Christmas themed party 24th Dec. Kids’ Christmas party 1st January Inter Club game and party 22nd January VPs Away Day to Stratford 19th Feb. Captains Day 12th March Sponsors Day 9th April Ladies day May (tbc) Club Dinner

Earlier Match Action Midlands 1 West – Saturday 4th September Old Laurentians 26 – Leamington 5 Laurentians marked their return to Midlands One with an emphatic win over Leamington at Fenley Field on Saturday. Driven on by new skipper Glenn Todd, OLs took the game to their visitors and forced regular penalty awards, Evans kicking three to hoist his side to a 9-0 lead after fifteen minutes. Leamington responded with an attacking spell but could find no way through a determined midfield defence, where centres Matt Miller and Danny Murch were outstanding, and the pressure forced an over optimistic pass by the visitors that was snapped up by Simon Bayliss who ran 60 metres to touch down. Evans added the goal points to the try to lift the lead to 16-0 after 24 minutes play. This was the last act of the game for OL’s record breaking wing as an earlier leg injury was aggravated by the try scoring run. This signalled the arrival on the pitch of new signing Spencer Brown, but he in turn was forced to leave the action at half time with a hamstring injury and Steve Pike joined the fray as his replacement. But OLs continued to dominate territory and Evans added another penalty on the half hour to give OLs a comfortable 19-0 lead at the break. With the pack hunting well in the loose and producing a regular supply of quick ball at the breakdowns, OLs were enjoying a full share of territory and possession Six minutes into the second half, Evans halted an attempted Leamington counter attack with a crunching tackle, Miller was first on the scene to turn possession over and Evans dinked a finely judged kick into space behind the visitors ‘defence for Murch to gather and race over for a try under the posts. Evans converted with his sixth successful kick from six attempts and a 26-0 lead. As the game entered the final quarter, Leamington gained some consolation when Tyler touched down in the corner after a cute grubber kick down the blind side by scrum half Northover, but the game was now well out of reach for the visitors. OLs demonstrated their strength in depth at scrum half when Richard Parker came on to replace Ricky Reed after a typically combative display by the latter. OLs maintained the pressure and a fine, arcing break by Evans was carried on by Parker and Murch, the visitors’ defence just holding the thrust, followed by strong drives for the line by Carl Adams and Glenn Todd which were also held up close in.

VP’s Luncheon Next Saturday, 25th September, at 12.30 pm, before the

league match against Whitchurch

See Alan Willis for tickets, at £20.00 each

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Our Vice Presidents

President Duncan Snook

Life Vice-Presidents Grantley Jenkins, Mike Lewis, Geoff Morris, Mike Pawsey, Ray Roberts, Terry Wootton

Vice Presidents Nigel Appleby Jason Barnett Keith Baxter Simon Bayliss Stuart Birch Malcolm Blair Dave Boe Anthony Borton Arnie Bottomley George Boulden Simon Bracken Matt Brinklow Anthony Burborough Jerry Cahill Adrian Canale-Parola Malcolm Cashmore Dean Cobley Stuart Coburn Brian Cockerill Roger Cole Barry Colledge Kevin Cossar Tom Costello RichardCurtiss Jim Darcy Toby Davidson Paul Dempster Michael Denny Graham Devine Adam Dougherty Maurice Dougherty Andy Dougherty Stu Dowsett Pat Dunn Dave Eales Steve Faulkner Tim Fawcett Reiner Ferguson Ann Field Mick Field Keith Finch Alan Foster Peter Fox Mark Gallagher Lionel Gardner Stuart Gleghorn David Hannah Keith Harries Stuart Harris Simon Heeley David Hicks Pete Higgs Chris Hine Richard Hirons Rich Hughes Peter Jenkins Arwel Jones Ash Jones Gareth Jones John Jones Peter Jones Roy Jones Geoff Kendall Sean Kerrigan David Lane Simon Lawler Simon Leech David Lennard Jim Lewis Richard Lightowler John Linnell Mike Linnell Kevin Mahon Dominic Marsella David McAteer Terry Merriman Jim Middleton John Murphy Ian Myers Graham New William Nolan Andre Nutter Wayne Oliver Ian Parker Clive Pawsey Mark Pawsey Phil Pawsey Nick Phipps Darren Price Spencer Pritchard Brian Rigg Ian Roberts Mick Roberts Bill Robinson Rod Ross Pat Scannell Will Seager Peter Shillingford Graham Shorthose Paul Simpson Dave Smith Rob Smith Vic Smith Snr Vic Smith Jnr Andy Spriggs Pete Staines John Stimpson Bob Sunerton Geoff Thomas David Thomson Keith Tilley Ray Todd Suzette Tonks Peter Trewren John Tull George Underwood Martin Valentine Chris Wade Mike Wade Mike Walker Murray Walker Bill Wallis Geoffrey Walton Mick Warwick Geoffrey Walton Dave Watson Chris White Scott Whyment Colin Wiles Alan Willis Mark Wilson

Saturday 11th September, 2010

Old Laurentian RFCSponsored by Player Tr

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Cleaver Scientific 15 Scott Wiles

Nick Phipps 14 Spencer Brown

Jim Darcy 13 Matt Miller

Simon Bracken 12 Danny Murch

Excel Heating 11 Iain Wallis

Cottons Accountants 10 Denzil Evans

Roger Cole 9 Richard Parker

The Merchant’s Inn 1 Garrie Reeve

Martin Valentine 2 Ollie Cowley

Dave Eales 3 Chris Le Poidevin

Tom Costello 4 Paul Willis

Arwel Jones 5 Ben O’Riordan

Stuart Gleghorn 6 Glenn Todd (capt)

Electrical Testers 7 James Orbinson

Ray Roberts 8 Carl Adams

16 Wayne Oliver

17 Andy Coleman

18 Dan Volkman

Today’s Ball Sponsor:

Midlands One West

Old Halesonians RFC

Car

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Kic

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Chris Hooper 15 Luke Smith 14 Andrew Robinson 13 Carl Robinson 12 Sebastian Rose 11

Tom Harris 10

Chris Wagstaffe (Capt.) 9 Steven Head 1 Jimmy Kirby 2 Tom Dempsey 3 Neil Weston 4 Andy Ford 5 Aaron Adshead 6 Andrew Chambers 7 Dan Grant 8 Jim Gore 16 Richard Taylor 17 Luke Gaynham 18

In charge of today’s game is Matthew Coultas, who is on an exchange visit from the Notts, Lincs and Derbys Society. We extend a warm welcome to him, along with our thanks for taking charge of the game.

As always we expect you to treat him, and his decisions, as you would expect to be treated yourself.

For OLs Physio: James Neal

Touch Judge: Gary Thompson

Ray Roberts

League Tables Midlands 1 West

Team P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts Sutton Coldfield 2 2 0 0 80 33 47 2 10 Dudley Kingswinford 2 2 0 0 69 33 36 1 9 Old Halesonians 2 2 0 0 64 35 29 1 9 Walsall 2 1 0 1 63 50 13 2 6 Worcester Wanderers 2 1 0 1 45 30 15 1 5 Nuneaton Old Eds 2 1 0 1 36 35 1 1 5 Whitchurch 2 1 0 1 44 45 -1 1 5 Lichfield 2 1 0 1 61 70 -9 1 5 Camp Hill 2 1 0 1 48 74 -26 1 5 Old Laurentians 2 1 0 1 36 36 0 0 4 Bournville 2 1 0 1 26 34 -6 0 4 Stratford Upon Avon 2 0 0 2 56 87 -31 2 2 Banbury 2 0 0 2 35 55 -20 1 1 Leamington 2 0 0 2 12 60 -46 0 0

Today’s League Fixtures

Bournville v Camp Hill

Old Laurentians v Old Halesonians

Stratford Upon Avon v Leamington

Sutton Coldfield v Dudley Kingswinford

Walsall v Lichfield

Whitchurch v Banbury

Worcester Wanderers v Nuneaton Old Eds

The Midlands One Scene Sutton Coldfield is the only side with a perfect record to date, picking up try bonus points in both of their wins so far to lead the table with 10 points. Only two other sides remain unbeaten, Dudley Kingswinford and our opponents today, Old Halesonians. Then come eight sides with a ‘W1, L1’ record, OLs and Bournville lagging that group with no bonus points so far. Next week’s opponents Whitchurch are also in that group. The value of bonus points is amply demonstrated by Stratford, who are winless but have picked up two bonus points. Banbury are also without a win, but obviously pushed Bournville very hard when going down by just 20-22 last Saturday. The Birmingham side started the season as one of the favourites for promotion but don’t appear to have found the right gear yet. Worcester Wanderers picked up their first points, including a try bonus, at the expense of Leamington last week. The Spa men prop up the table and the season is already beginning to appear rather bleak for them. Camp Hill won a high scoring duel with Walsall, the latter also scoring well in their opener at Banbury. Lichfield’s is clearly a competitive side and, although losing at home to Sutton Coldfield, did record 20 points against them. On early season form it seems likely that Sutton are going to continue to set the pace as the campaign unwinds.

League Results – 11th September Banbury 20 v 22 Bournville

Camp Hill 35 v 30 Walsall

Dudley Kingswinford 46 v 22 Stratford Upon Avon

Leamington 7 v 34 Worcester Wanderers

Lichfield 20 v 36 Sutton Coldfield

Nuneaton Old Edwardians 31 v 10 Old Laurentians Old Halesonians 39 v 30 Whitchurch

League results – 4th September

Old Halesonians 25 v 5 Nuneaton Old Eds

Old Laurentians 26 v 5 Leamington

Stratford Upon Avon 34 v 41 Lichfield

Sutton Coldfield 44 v 13 Camp Hill

Walsall 33 v 15 Banbury

Whitchurch 14 v 6 Bournville

Worcester Wanderers 11 v 23 Dudley Kingswinford

Top.Points Scorers, Season 2009/10 - 20 points or more

Player Tries Convs Pens Drops Tot Pts Denzil Evans 3 52 25 2 200 Simon Bayliss 36 1 0 0 182 Ben Wiles 6 18 17 0 117 Iain Wallis 13 0 0 0 65 Ben Roberts 7 13 1 0 64 Jamie Brightwell 9 6 1 0 60 Kev White 4 18 1 0 59 Richard Parker 11 0 0 0 55 Andrew Orbinson 11 0 0 0 55 Ricky Reed 10 0 0 0 50 Danny Orr 5 12 0 0 49 Mike Coburn 7 2 1 0 42 Matt Miller 7 0 2 0 41 Dave Longrigg 8 0 0 0 40 Lawrence Webb 8 0 0 0 40 Dean Graham 8 0 0 0 40 Steve Pike 5 2 3 0 38 Dom Hammond 2 10 0 0 30 Harley Steele 6 0 0 0 30 Daz Price 2 5 2 0 26 Glenn Todd 5 0 0 0 25 Chris Le Poidevin 5 0 0 0 25 Lee Arbuthnott 5 0 0 0 25 Danny Murch 4 1 0 0 22 Troy Owen 4 0 0 0 20 Jon Deenik 4 0 0 0 20 Phil Walters 4 0 0 0 20 Dave Middleton 4 0 0 0 20

Recent Photo Action

v Nuneaton Old Eds

Ben O’Riordan leaps highest

Ben Shepherd takes the ball on

Danny & Glenn go for the b ll after James agets his man

Dan Volkman drives for his try

Ollie Cowley feeds Wayne Oliver

Ben drives on with Dan and ich Hayes Rin close support

Photos by Ray Todd You can see all of the OLs photos by visiting www.raytodd.jalbum.net

The Local Scene After the mass player defections of the close season, Rugby Lions managed to cobble together a side with a handful of remaining players supplemented by loan players and a couple of new signings for the opening fixture. But they suffered a 6-57 home defeat to Westoe, with worse to come in their second game when they leaked 14 tries in a 90-0 thumping by Loughborough Students. Sadly, it is unlikely to get better for them as it is difficult to imagine a queue of players forming, anxious to join them.

Newbold started well in Midlands 3, winning 25-15 at Redditch and picking up a try bonus. Rugby St Andrews, now operating at the same level as Newbold but in the eastern division of Midlands 3, opened their campaign with a 24-21 win over Oadby Wyggestonians. In the same league, Long Buckby and Daventry kicked off with away wins, Buckby at Northampton Casuals, Daventry at Queens.

Rugby Welsh went down to a heavy 0-32 defeat to Edwardians – the last time the Birmingham side visited Rugby they were on the wrong end of a large score by OLs! In the South Warwickshire derby, Southam won through over Harbury by a margin of 20-13, this in Newbold’s league.

After just hanging on to their Midlands 2 East (South) place at the end of last season, Lutterworth started this one at Northampton Old Scouts, going down by 36-22.

In National 3 Midlands, Kenilworth slumped at home to a heavy 19-50 defeat by Malvern. With ex Newbold and Lions man Joss Andrews at no. 10 they also lost their opener at Scunthorpe, going down 36-39 after leading for most of the match. Broadstreet, relegated to National 3 after just one season in 2, have won both games so far, but only narrowly. The form side in National 3 are our old foes Bromsgrove, with 109 points scored in their first two games and ex Lions wing Adrian Hales scoring tries for fun!

Newly promoted to National 2 South are Hinckley, but they are finding the going tough with both matches lost, shipping 53 points against Southend last Saturday. They face a formidable season, with their nearest away games at St Albans or Shelford, and trips to such as Canterbury, Worthing, Taunton, Lydney and Jersey to come!

In our old league, newly promoted (and all conquering!) Dunlop had probably their closest game for at least two years when beating Droitwich 31-29 in Coventry. Spartans are the early pacesetters with an opening 63-12 thumping of Bedworth. Of other former opponents, Old Coventrians and Silhillians both started with wins, over Earlsdon and Berkswell & Balsall respectively. Oh how we will miss our annual trip to B & B!

Photo Action Leamington & Fancy Dress

1st match as captain and gets

his man yet again

Denzil jinks again

Miller & Murch – the impregnable barrier

Messrs Orr, Todd (M), Willis (pretty!) Roberts &

Cowley

The centurion and the Taxi

Mr Universe, Parks and Ben

Gorilla

Grinchy had actually turned

green (Wadey likes it!)

Wayne and the Evans boy – Traffic lights and taxi

Pictures by Ray Todd You can see all of the OLs photos by visiting : http://raytodd.jalbum.net/

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2nd XV Report Warwickshire League 1 – Saturday 11th September Newbold-on-Avon 2nd XV 10 - Old Laurentian 2nd XV 25 Saturday saw the second team start the Warwickshire 1 league season with the short trip along the newly opened relief road for a derby fixture against local rivals Newbold.

Old Laurentians started brightly, spending the first quarter of the game in the home team’s half. While a kicking tee was being located, easy kicks were turned down as the away team attempted to turn pressure into points. The front row of Sullivan, Hammond and Metcalfe, impressive on debut, were dominant in the scrums, but some resolute defending and small errors meant that the scoreboard stayed locked at nil-nil.

Some typically cagey play followed before fly-half Bean slotted over a penalty for a slender lead, only to see this wiped out almost immediately as an infringement from the OL’s pack allowed Newbold to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

The second half saw the visiting pack start to generate quicker ball for another debutant Luke Harris to feed the backs whose pace started to cause trouble. The pressure started to tell, resulting in another two Bean penalties for a 9-3 lead. This was always a slender lead against a spirited side and Newbold took advantage of some slight disorganisation in OL’s defence to create an overlap that was well finished. With the conversion added, Newbold took the lead for the first time in the match.

This did not last long, however, as Laurentians responded well to the encouragement from the side-lines, scoring another two penalties. Some strong running from Nuttall off the bench saw a try disallowed for a foot in touch, but it did not take long before the tries came. Excellent hands in the back line from Morgan and the evergreen White led to a score from Graham before Harris out-sprinted the tiring defence to touch down from a searching long kick.

The final score of 25-10 was a positive way to start the second team’s search for silverware. There were some good performances, with further players to return following the Bernai’s wedding in Northern Ireland.

Report by James Melvin

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2nd & 3rd XV – Fixtures & Results

2nd XV + - 3rd XV + - Sept 4 F Wellesbourne A 35 10 TBA Sept 11 L Newbold II A 25 10 TBA Sept 18 L Earlsdon II H TBA Sept 25 F Leicester Lions III H TBA Oct 2 L Stratford II A Shipston III H Oct 9 TBA Leamington iii A Oct 16 L Barkers Butts II H Harbury II A Oct 23 F Nuneaton Old Eds II A Spartans III H Oct 30 L Leamington II H Kenilworth III H Nov 6 F St Andrews II A Newbold III H Nov 13 L Broadstreet III A Nuneaton Old Eds III H Nov 20 L Spartans II H Sutton Coldfield III A Nov 27 TBA St Andrews III A Dec 4 L Newbold II H Earlsdon III H Dec 11 L Earlsdon II A Nuneaton Old Eds III A Dec 18 F Keresley II H TBA Dec 26 INTER CLUB GAME Jan 8 L Stratford II H Kenilworth III A Jan 15 L Barkers Butts II A Spartans III A Jan 22 L Leamington II A Harbury II H Jan 29 F Keresley II A St Andrews III H Feb 5 L Broadstreet III H Shipston III A Feb 12 L Spartans II A Leamington III H Feb 19 F Nuneaton Old Eds II H Newbold III A Feb 26 F Rugby Welsh I H Southam III A Mar 5 TBA Dunlop II H Mar 12 TBA Earlsdon III A Mar 19 F Leicester Lions III A Sutton Coldfield III H Mar 26 F St Andrews II H TBA Apr 2 TBA Southam II H Apr 9 TBA Apr 16 TBA Apr 23 TBA

Key: League (Warwicks 1 or 3) = L; Friendly = F; Warwickshire 2nd XV Cup = W, Clonmell Cup = C

1st XV – Fixtures & Results Date Result

Month Day

Opponents

Venue

Type + -

September 4 Leamington H L 26 5 September 11 Nuneaton Old Eds A L 10 31 September 18 Old Halesonians H L September 25 Whitchurch H L October 2 Worcester Wanderers A L October 9 Stratford H L October 16 Sutton Coldfield A L October 23 Walsall H L October 30 Bournville A L November 6 TBA November 13 Banbury H L November 20 Camp Hill A L November 27 Lichfield H L December 4 Dudley Kingswinford A L December 11 Nuneaton Old Eds H L December 18 Old Halesonians A L December 26 INTER CLUB GAME January 2011 8 Whitchurch A L January 15 Worcester Wanderers H L January 22 Stratford A L January 29 Sutton Coldfield H L February 5 Walsall A L February 12 TBA February 19 Bournville H L February 26 TBA March 5 Banbury A L March 12 Camp Hill H L March 19 TBA March 26 Lichfield A L April 02 TBA April 9 Dudley Kingswinford H L April 16 Leamington A L April 23 League Play-offs L April 30 League Play-offs L May 7 League Play-offs L

It’s great to have Teddy’s support, but........

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