v Stratford by Ray Todd

Programme ÂŁ2

Saturday 9th October 2010 Midlands 1 West

Old Laurentian RFC v Stratford RFC

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Welcome to Fenley Field Welcome to friends old and new to Fenley Field for the fourth home game of what is going to be an intriguing and competitive season. We are delighted to welcome Stratford Upon Avon RFC here today. We last met Stratford in the old Midlands 3 (now 2) back in the 2006/07 season, at the end of which they were promoted to this level. It’s good to be meeting them again. Also here today are Coventry Welsh RFC, for a Warwickshire 2nd XV Cup tie – we are pleased to be welcoming them as well. We are also pleased to welcome today’s match referees - Marcus Greenway for the 1st XV match; and Niamh Hennessy, who will be taking charge of the 2nd XV cup game. It’s good to be back in Midlands One, the level in the league structure to which we feel we belong. With three games won of the five played so far, we have made a reasonable start. It could have been four from five as we had every chance of beating Whitchurch here two weeks ago but failed to take the opportunities presented and went down to that penalty in the dying seconds of the game. That was followed up by another excellent performance at Worcester last week. We travelled with high expectations of taking the win points, but the margin of victory surprised even us! So we can face the rest of the season with confidence knowing that we are capable of holding our own with most of the teams in the league and, no doubt, will upset a few along the way! We are not going to repeat last season’s winning run of thirteen matches 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. 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

When only the best will do

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Today’s Visitors

Stratford-upon-Avon RFC Since 1877, when the club was founded, the history of StratfordUpon-Avon Rugby Football Club has been inseparable from the history of the town. Indeed, Stratford was one of the earliest rugby clubs to be established in England. In 1887, Archie Flower (from the famous Flowers Brewery) moved across from Cambridge and subsequently became Captain, after which the Club enjoyed several seasons of great success. For example in the 1889-90 season, as well as drawing two games against Coventry, Stratford beat Leicester three times (without Leicester scoring a single point). The first time the Club was recorded as using the current ground was in the season 1903-4. The ground was named ‘Pearcecroft’ after William Pearce, President of the "Early Closers Football Club", who played on the site. The Club fields four senior sides, an Under-19 Colts side and a Veterans team. Stratford was one of the first clubs in the Midlands not only to boast the installation of floodlights, but also to start mini and junior rugby sections in the 1969-70 season. As a result of Stratford’s strong youth policy, several young players have gone on to play as junior internationals, and several have moved on to First Division clubs. Recently the club was able to celebrate Nathan Webber, a former mini and junior colt player at Stratford, winning his first England A international cap against Queensland. Even now, the mini and junior sections support teams from under 7’s to under 16’s, with over 250 registered players. There was a period some seven or eight years ago when Stratford must have wondered what they had to do to beat us. In one season. 2001/02, we triumphed twice in the league, in the Intermediate Cup and then beat them in the final of the County Cup. On one occasion, they appeared to have clinched victory when that rugby rarity, an Iain Wallis drop goal, snatched the spoils in the dying seconds of a match at Pearcecroft. But Stratford had the last laugh in 2006/07 when we only had to beat Earlsdon to claim a promotion play-off spot. We lost - and Stratford put up a large score against Pershore to pip us at the post and go on to win promotion via the play off! It then took us four years, and several near misses, to do the same!

Next 1st XV Home Match

Walsall Saturday 23rd October, ko 3.00pm Midlands One West

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who at OLs President

Duncan Snook

Chairman

Bill Wallis

Secretary

Alan Willis

Treasurer

Keith Baxter

Chairman, Playing Committee

Colin Wiles

Fixture Secretary

Mick Roberts

Commercial Manager House & Grounds and Gym

01788 333043 01788 813481 01788 521950 01788 811782 01788 574247

Bill Wallis 01788 333043

Reiner Ferguson 01788 541295

Ladies Committee Chair

Leah Hope

Membership Treasurer & 200 Club

James Melvin

Web Manager & Press Officer

Ray Todd

Club Coaches

Mark Palmer, Denzil Evans Chris Wade Neal Leeming Adam Mitchell

Griffin Club

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Pete Staines 01788 817401

Club Shop

Leigh Fisher

Club Steward

Chris Tew

Club Physio

James Neal

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1st XV Match Report Midlands 1 West – Saturday 2nd October Worcester Wanderers 13 - Old Laurentians 41 Despite the heavy rain which fell the previous day, the pitch was in excellent condition as both teams lined up, fully expecting a tough game following last season’s two outstanding encounters. OL’s took the game to Worcester from the start, controlling the forward play and keeping Worcester in their own half, which created two early openings which were both missed. But after ten minutes Worcester converted a penalty to take a 3-0 lead. The pattern of play continued with OLs dominating but unable to get on the scoreboard, and yet again conceding a penalty in a rare Worcester move which they failed to convert. Denzil Evans just missed a penalty from a tight angle on 26 minutes as OLs went in search of their first score, and to rub salt into his wounds, he was sin binned shortly afterwards for accidental offside. Worcester took advantage of a 14 man OLs by scoring in the corner, but missing the conversion, to take an 8-0 lead. However, even with a player short OLs bounced back and after some good forward play the ball was released to Inch who went over in the corner, the wing missing the conversion of his own try, to reduce the deficit to 5-8. OL’s took confidence from the score, and with a full complement of 15, Evans threw a long pass out to Troy Owen who scored his first try for the 1st team, Evans converting for a 12-8 half time lead. OLs started the second half with real conviction, driven on by no.8 Adams who was having a storming game, and the pressure told when a diagonal kick from Evans saw Inch chase down the kick, despite the attentions of the Worcester full back, to score his second try, Evans converting from out wide for 19-8. There was no let up, as another great drive from the OL’s forwards took them into the Worcester 22, and from the resultant scrum, OL’s captain Todd pressurised the home fly half into a mistake to score a try. Evans converted to hoist his side’s lead to 26-8. Worcester didn’t give up and after fifteen minutes of the half some good forward play led to a try which pulled the score back to 26-13. /Continued overleaf

1st XV match report v Worcester Wanderers (continued) The pressure continued, a Worcester player was sent off and, with a man already in the sin bin, they were reduced to thirteen men. Andy Coleman intercepted a pass to score under the posts and, Evans added the goal points to lift the score to 36-12. OLs made three second half substitutions, with Dom Hammond and Luke Harris making their 1st team debuts, Hammond capping his debut by scoring OLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sixth try of the match for 41-13. OLs should have scored a seventh try, but a Scott Wiles pass to substitute Roberts was adjudged to be forward. As well as a very convincing forward display, OLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back three put in a good performance, Troy Owen gaining in confidence with every touch of the ball, Inch taking his two tries well and some solid tackling from Scott Wiles behind them.

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RUGBY BYTES by Mike Lewis VP LUNCH DATES No sooner had I walked into the clubhouse for the VPs Lunch when I was accosted by Dave Eales. I had been pre-warned by our Hon Chairman that it might happen. My mistake was to write in the last programme that our first VPs Luncheon took place in 1975, when everyone knew that it was 1973. I should have known as I joined the club that season and I was captain in 1975, when the third VP’s Luncheon took place. I apologised profusely to Dave and then blamed him for not noting the event in the 1973 and 1974 fixture cards! No matter what date we started we are still indebted to Dave, and Joe, for starting the event. VP LUNCH 2010 Great event – food wonderful, company great and a short speech. Plus the pleasure in seeing Bill Vasper after many years. Well done to everyone involved for a great time. WHAT’S IN A NAME I am indebted to Alan Willis for pointing me at an article in the Daily Telegraph about the Commonwealth Games. As you are aware, unless you don’t read newspapers and have turned your TV off, things have not being going too well in Delhi, especially in the competitor’s village. Imagine my delight when they wheeled out the spokesperson to explain the problems – one Sheila DIKSHIT, an unfortunate name at any time but most unfortunate with the mess in the village. This led me to looking at other unfortunate/unusual names: A friend of mine had a union rep. called Tony. Not unusual but he was listed in the phonebook as A Pratt. Saw an article written by a, bitter(?), woman saying that her ex-husband was called A Berk, in every sense! Why would someone called Mr and Mrs Head christen their son Richard (!) and then insist on calling him Dick? IF THE SHOE FITS (OR DOESN’T) Apparently Ted Wallis played in the early season game against Wellesbourne, with (amongst others) Dan Volkman. Ted had decided to try and get a few more games out of some old Puma boots, which were held together with tape and a prayer. It seems that Dan also wears Puma boots and each took the other's pair away after the game. Ted didn't play again until two weeks ago, v Leicester Lions, got his boots out and put them on only to discover that they resembled barges on his feet (shows how often he gets his boots out to check and clean them!). It then dawned on him what might have happened and he looked Dan out. Dan had long since disposed of Ted's old boots as unfit for anything and bought some new ones. Fortunately Ted was able to scrounge around and borrow a pair to wear that Saturday. As a confirmed non-kicker (a Wallis trait!), he apparently put in a spiralling, 60 metre kick in the borrowed boots that bounced into touch a few metres from the opponents' try line and led to Gusher's first try - the finest kick he has ever done, he reckons! Doesn’t tie in with the nickname he acquired a couple of years ago – Bonehead -, or does it?

Calendar of Events, 2010/11 5th Nov. 12th Dec. 24th Dec. 1st January 22nd January 19th Feb. 12th March 9th April May (tbc)

Bonfire Night Ladies Committee – ‘Christmas Indulgence’ Kids’ Christmas party Inter Club game and party VPs Away Day to Stratford Captains Day Sponsors Day Ladies day Club Dinner

Earlier Match Action Saturday 25 September – Midlands One West Old Laurentians 6 – Whitchurch 8 Laurentians entertained third placed Whitchurch in this Midlands League One game and came within seconds of pulling off a well deserved victory, only to be thwarted by a last gasp penalty that gave the win points to the visitors. Twice in the game OLs failed to control the re-start kick after their scores, twice they were punished by Whitchurch scores; and they failed to capitalise on a long period of territorial domination in the second half when they could have put the game beyond the reach of their visitors. OLs made the better start and their pack made its intention clear in the opening minutes, driving their opposite numbers fully 40 metres upfield. An early penalty award was wasted when OL’s lineout ball was stolen by Whitchurch just a few metres from their line. But after more pressure another penalty was turned into points by Denzil Evans for a 3-0 lead. From the re-start, OLs failed to gather and control the ball, Whitchurch claimed it and didn’t relinquish possession until they had driven number 8 Lloyd over for a try wide out and a 5-3 lead after thirteen minutes. The remainder of the first half ebbed and flowed with neither side able to establish a grip on the game, both defences holding firm. OLs came closest to breaking the deadlock when Chris le Poidevin nudged the ball forward as he drove over the line; and Troy Owen was just beaten to the touch down following up a well-judged diagonal kick by Evans. Whitchurch took their 5-3 lead into the second half, which early on continued in the same vein as the first. But in the last quarter, OLs stepped up their effort and camped in the visitors half for long periods. Glenn Todd and Carl Adams were in the thick of everything, driving the team on; and Iain Wallis was testing the Whitchurch defence in midfield, regularly making ground and presenting a target for his back row. But the expected score would not come. Evans saw four penalty kicks drift wide against a tricky wind and a drop goal attempt shave the post on the wrong side. And more than once the wrong option was taken, or a vital pass put down, as OLs tried in vain to find a way through a well organised defence. As the eightieth minute was reached, OLs pack forced another indiscretion and won yet another penalty. This time Evans’ kick was successful and at 6-5 OLs appeared to have clinched the game. Then the Whitchurch re-start kick was not claimed and bounced through towards OLs line where it was knocked on. Following the scrum, OLs were guilty of using hands in a ruck and presented a straightforward penalty attempt to Whitchurch’s stand off Nicholas, which he converted with relish. The referee blew for full time before the ball hit the deck and OLs were left to rue a failure to clinch what should have been four win points, a losing bonus point providing little consolation. th

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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, Pete Higgs Nigel Appleby Stuart Birch Arnie Bottomley Anthony Burborough Dean Cobley Barry Colledge Jim Darcy Graham Devine Stu Dowsett Tim Fawcett Keith Finch Lionel Gardner Stuart Harris Richard Hirons Ash Jones Roy Jones Simon Lawler Richard Lightowler Dominic Marsella John Murphy Andre Nutter Mark Pawsey Spencer Pritchard Bill Robinson Peter Shillingford Rob Smith Pete Staines Geoff Thomas Suzette Tonks Martin Valentine Murray Walker Geoffrey Walton Colin Wiles

Vice Presidents Jason Barnett Keith Baxter Malcolm Blair Dave Boe George Boulden Simon Bracken Jerry Cahill Adrian CanaleParola Stuart Coburn Brian Cockerill Kevin Cossar Tom Costello Toby Davidson Paul Dempster Adam Dougherty Maurice Dougherty Pat Dunn Dave Eales Reiner Ferguson Ann Field Alan Foster Peter Fox Stuart Gleghorn David Hannah Simon Heeley David Hicks Rich Hughes Peter Jenkins Gareth Jones John Jones Geoff Kendall Sean Kerrigan Simon Leech David Lennard John Linnell Mike Linnell David McAteer Terry Merriman Ian Myers Graham New Wayne Oliver Ian Parker Phil Pawsey Nick Phipps Brian Rigg Ian Roberts Rod Ross Pat Scannell Graham Shorthose Paul Simpson Vic Smith Snr Vic Smith Jnr John Stimpson Phil Stimpson David Thomson Keith Tilley Peter Trewren John Tull Chris Wade Mike Wade Bill Wallis Geoffrey Walton Dave Watson Chris White Alan Willis Mark Wilson

Simon Bayliss Anthony Borton Matt Brinklow Malcolm Cashmore Roger Cole RichardCurtiss Michael Denny Andy Dougherty Steve Faulkner Mick Field Mark Gallagher Keith Harries Chris Hine Arwel Jones Peter Jones David Lane Jim Lewis Kevin Mahon Jim Middleton William Nolan Clive Pawsey Darren Price Mick Roberts Will Seager Dave Smith Andy Spriggs Bob Sunerton Ray Todd George Underwood Mike Walker Mick Warwick Scott Whyment

Player

Cleaver Scientific 15 Scott Wiles Nick Phipps Jim Darcy

14 Grant Inch 13 Danny Murch

Simon Bracken

12 Iain Wallis

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11 Troy Owen

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10 Denzil Evans 9

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The Merchantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inn

Ollie Cowley

Martin Valentine

Mark Todd

Dave Eales

Chris Le Poidevin

Tom Costello

Dan Volkman

Arwel Jones

Paul Willis

Stuart Gleghorn

Glenn Todd (capt)

Electrical Testers

Andy Coleman

Ray Roberts

Carl Adams

Roger Cole

16 Dave Longrigg 17 Dom Hammond 18 Luke Harris

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Saturday 9th October, 2010

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Midlands One West

Stratford RFC (team not supplied prior to press deadline) Player

The Official 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 1 2 3 4 5 6

In charge of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games are Marcus Greenway for the 1st XV match; and Niamh Hennessy, who will be taking charge of the 2nd XV cup game. We extend a warm welcome to them, along with our thanks for taking charge of the games. As always we expect you to treat officials and their decisions as you would expect to be treated yourself.

7 16

For OLs Physio: James Neal

Touch Judge: Gary Thompson

League Tables Midlands 1 West Team

Pts

Dudley Kingswinford

162

Sutton Coldfield

201

118

Old Halesonians

156 114

Whitchurch

Old Laurentians

116

Lichfield

155 175

-17

Bournville

118

Walsall

163 149

Camp Hill

104 128

-24

Worcester Wanderers

112 118

-6

Nuneaton Old Eds

128

-40

Stratford Upon Avon

132 164

-32

Banbury

170

-94

Leamington

221 -162

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s League Fixtures Dudley Kingswinford

Banbury

Leamington

Bournville

Lichfield

Camp Hill

Nuneaton Old Eds

Walsall

Old Halesonians

Sutton Coldfield

Old Laurentians

Stratford Upon Avon

Worcester Wanderers

Whitchurch

The Midlands One Scene Dudley Kingswinford came away from the clash of the heavyweights with a win over Bournville last weekend to maintain their 100% record and league leadership. Bournville looked to be coming into some sort of form with a large win over Lichfield the previous week but they still trail OLs in the table with an inferior points difference and fewer bonus points. Sutton Coldfield stay in second spot after a convincing looking victory over Nuneaton Old Eds last Saturday; and keeping third place are Old Halesonians, whose only reverse so far this season has been at Fenley Field. Close behind them are Whitchurch, after disposing of Camp Hill, and our win at Worcester last week pushes us up to fifth, four points behind the Shropshire club. Despite winning only once so far, our opponents today, Stratford, have garnered 5 bonus points to date as they are consistent scorers – 132 in five games– but are prone to concede rather more! Leamington remain winless – and pointless – after a heavy defeat at Walsall last week; and Banbury are also finding the going tough with just one bonus point to their name after five straight losses. League Results – 2nd October

Banbury

52 Lichfield

Bournville

17 Dudley Kingswinford

Stratford-upon-Avon

32 Old Halesonians

Sutton Coldfield

13 Nuneaton Old Edwardians

Walsall

21 Leamington

Whitchurch

3 Camp Hill

Worcester Wanderers

41 Old Laurentians

League results – 25th September

Camp Hill 31

17 Banbury

Dudley Kingswinford 50

Leamington 11

63 Sutton Coldfield

Lichfield 14

56 Bournville

Nuneaton Old Edwardians 30

25 Stratford-upon-Avon

Old Halesonians 38

27 Worcester Wanderers

Old Laurentians 6

Walsall

Whitchurch

Top.Points Scorers, Season 20010/11 All teams Player

Tries

Convs

Pens

Drops

Tot Pts

Denzil Evans

Ben Roberts

Grant Inch

John Bean

Gary Hammond

Danny Orr

Troy Owen

Steve Pike

Danny Murch

Dom Hammond

Howard Harris

Jamie Brightwell

Simon Bayliss

Dan Volkman

Iain Wallis

James Orbinson

Glenn Todd

Andy Coleman

Raj Patel

Ben Shepherd

Dean Graham

Alex Smith

Mark Owen

Tom Middleton

Kev White

Recent Photo Action 1sts, 2nds & 3rds for a change!

Have they really got Big Wal this time?

Gusher’s under there somewhere for a try!

Jeff Fowler looks useful

Big boys, these Whitchurch lads!

Ben Roberts scores again

Really don’t want to be a 10 with “The Prince” coming at me!

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

The Local Scene Rugby Lions went down by 68-20 at Hull Ionians last Saturday but despite their apparently dire player situation find themselves fifth from bottom, with four clubs beneath them still without a win, including Nuneaton – although none of that four have played Manchester yet, who are rock bottom. The evidence of the league table suggests that there is a very clear divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ at this level with two ‘mini leagues’ developing. Survival for Lions will depend on the results they get in matches against the other strugglers as they can probably write off the games against the top clubs now! Hinckley have yet to win and are second from bottom of the parallel league, National 2 South. At the bottom are Newbury Blues, without a win in five and 353 points conceded. The semi-professional game is obviously not working well at this level with wide gaps developing between the leading (wealthiest?) clubs and the rest. In National 3 Midlands, Kenilworth are still without a win but now off the bottom – beneath them are Hereford, obviously suffering from a shortage of reinforcements from the Army! Broadstreet are in second place behind Longton, who have the only 100% record in the league. In Midlands 3 East (South) the pace setters are Long Buckby and Rugby St Andrews, who are first and second respectively, both with 100% records after three games. Last week, Buckby racked up an 81-7 win against bottom club Queens and Saints recorded a handsome 46-3 win against Deepings. Lutterworth’s one bonus point keeps them out of the bottom two in Midlands 2 East and they are yet to win after three games. Newbold have made a solid start to the season in Midlands 3, having won two and drawn one of their first three games, travelling to Southam and coming away with an 18-3 win last Saturday. The top three in this league are Upton-on-Severn, Shipston on Stour and Newbold on Avon – there’s clearly something in the water in those three places! Rugby Welsh’s travails continue with a 46-3 home defeat against Keresley last week and they are bottom of Midlands 4 West (South), having scored just 18 points and conceded 129 in their three games so far. Newly promoted Dunlop have continued where they left off last season and have a 100% record in our old league, Mids 2 West (S), beating Kidderminster 54-7 last week and now with a clear lead at the top of the table. Cheltenham North were held to a 13-13 draw at Old Coventrians and Spartans are in second spot having disposed of Droitwich by 34-11.

Ten Years On The first of a series of flashbacks to seasons past, starting this week with 2000/01 League Action OLs were competing in Midlands 2 West ten years ago which, to remind you, is the same level as we are playing at this year, just the number has been changed! Of our opponents in the league this season, only Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield featured in the 2000/01 fixture list. We did the double over Lichfield and won one, lost one against Sutton. Malvern won the league and we finished in a respectable 6th place, losing our way a little after an excellent start to the season. On 14th October 2000 we won our fourth from four games when beating Derby 28-10 on the day of the VPs Lunch, but lost our 100% record when going down to Malvern at home on 28th October. Foot and mouth disease caused the postponement of our match at Luctonians in March 2001 and scuppered the VPs Away Day! The Personalities The late Brian Beckett was Chairman, Pete Higgs managed the cash as Treasurer and the Secretary was (yes, you guessed it!) Alan Willis. On the playing side, Daz Price st skippered the 1 XV, Steve Pike held the reins of the 2nds (doesn’t he wear well!) and Alan Johnson and Andy Thorne ran the 3rd and Development XVs respectively. Dave Middleton was described as an ‘oldie’ then, in one match report. Must be about to draw his pension now! The Players Of the players that took the field for the match against Derby in October 2000, only Iain Wallis and Dan Volkman have survived st to feature in today’s 1 XV line-up. The back row that day was Dom Marsella, Stu Birch and Ian Bowie – a formidable trio! Such a pity that injury cut short Bowie’s playing career, but the other two soldier on! Gary Smith was also a regular in the back row that season. The half backs were Ricky Reed and Mark Palmer and two others from that team who still feature strongly at the club were Gary Hammond and Ed Wallis.

The Players (cont’d) Other notable personalities from the regular 1st XV line up were Dave Wraith, Ade Cleaver and Merv McConville. Simon Storey and Mark Tuffin were Gusher’s regular props, with Karl ‘Chip Shop’ Chaplow arriving later in the season. Lawrence Sherriffs was Dan’s second row partner against Derby and went on to form a fine partnership with a certain Paul Willis, who made his home league debut against Bromsgrove in November 2000. In the seconds, Kev Vince and Lee Arbuthnot were racking up hundreds of points in a team that had won the Warwickshire 2nds Cup the previous season. The Knockout Cups One of the season’s most memorable achievements was a great run in the National Intermediate Cup that took us into the fifth round and an away tie against the leaders of the North One league, Blaydon. An epic game in the North East ended in a 39-20 loss after a stunning second half display, having been 36-7 down at half time and facing an ignominious defeat. Blaydon went on to contest the final at Twickenham and won promotion to the National leagues. The seconds reached the semi-final of the Warwickshire 2nds Cup where they lost to Kenilworth. Along the way they recorded a 101-0 victory over Coventry Tech. The 1sts also reached the same stage of the Warwickshire Cup, going down to eventual winners Broadstreet in the semi. To get there they had chalked up a great win over Newbold at Parkfield Road, the home side then playing their league rugby in Midlands One. The Points Scorers Kev Vince and Mark Palmer led the points scorers race, both nearing 300 by season’s end. Kev Vince and Lee Arbuthnot led Iain Wallis in the try scoring stakes, Arbuthnot claiming the Midland Bank Trophy for top try scorer.

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2nd XV Match Report Warwickshire League 1 – Saturday 2nd October Stratford-upon-Avon 2nd XV 17 – Old Laurentian 2nd XV 22 Dominant in the scrum, open play and kicking - but not so in the lineout, OLs were in full control of this game after an hour but only managed to hold on for victory when a Stratford player had the ball knocked out of his grasp by Jamie Brightwell in the act of scoring. This would have been rough justice on OLs who had scored three excellent tries to build a 22-3 advantage. Stratford had the best of the opening passage of play but the rest of the half belonged to OLs and after a change of direction from Orr excellent hands saw Gary Hammond touch down, Orr adding the extras. The second try was surely one of the best that OLs have scored for many a year as a series of passes out of the tackle saw proof that the ball is faster than the man as Jamie Brightwell scored in the corner. Many players were involved, - Ted Wallis, Howard Harris, Alex Smith, Gary Hammond, John Bean and Dick Reed to name but a few. At this stage Stratford were offering no threat, there was a contrast between their straight running centre partnership and our more subtle one of John Bean and Ted Wallis which meant that Jamie Brightwell and Raj Patel saw plenty of ball on the wings until the hour - when OLs stopped playing. Organised and committed defence frequently isolated the Stratford attackers, led by the back row of, James Melvin, Alex Smith and Jon Washington. After another Stratford scrum was disrupted by the front row of Wayne Oliver, Gary Hammond and Aaron Metcalfe, a turnover led to a penalty by Orr for a 17-0 lead, before Stratford added a penalty for a half time score of 17-3. Five minutes into the second half, the ball was moved left and then right for Gary Hammond to give Jamie Brightwell a scoring pass that a centre would have been proud of. This was Hammond’s last act of the game as he made way for the returning Mark Todd, Washington made way for Dave Longrigg and Metcalfe for Stingray. After a strong scrum drive by OLs a midfield move gone wrong led to a try under the posts for Stratford, duly converted. A number of Stratford penalties put OLs under pressure and a clearance kick was run back for a good try by their right winger, well converted from wide out. The last 10 minutes saw the OLs have to defend constantly as Stratford searched for the winning score, but stood up well led by defensive lineout claims by Richard Ette and John Edwards and Dick Reed harassing his opposite number in typical fashion to stop the ball from being moved. Eventually, the game came down to the hand of Brightwell, the final whistle went and a relieved OLs had the 4 points. Report by ANON

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2nd & 3rd XV â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fixtures & Results 2nd XV Sept Sept Sept Sept Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr

4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 26 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23

F L L F L

Wellesbourne Newbold II Earlsdon II Leicester Lions III Stratford II TBA Barkers Butts II Nuneaton Old Eds II Leamington II St Andrews II Broadstreet III Spartans II TBA Newbold II Earlsdon II Keresley II

A A H H A

Stratford II Barkers Butts II Leamington II Keresley II Broadstreet III Spartans II Nuneaton Old Eds II Rugby Welsh I TBA TBA F Leicester Lions III F St Andrews II TBA TBA TBA TBA

H A A A H A H H

L F L F L L L L F L L L F L L F F

H A H A A H H A H

A H

35 25 47 37 22

10 10 17 15 17

3rd XV

TBA TBA TBA TBA Shipston III Leamington iii Harbury II Spartans III Kenilworth III Newbold III Nuneaton Old Eds III Sutton Coldfield III St Andrews III Earlsdon III Nuneaton Old Eds III TBA INTER CLUB GAME Kenilworth III Spartans III Harbury II St Andrews III Shipston III Leamington III Newbold III Southam III Dunlop II Earlsdon III Sutton Coldfield III TBA Southam II

H A A H H H H A A H A

A A H H A H A A H A H H

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

1st XV â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fixtures & Results Date Month September September September September October October October October October November November November November December December December December January 2011 January January January February February February February March March March March April April April April April May

Day 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 26 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 5 12 19 26 02 9 16 23 30 7

Opponents

Venue

Leamington H Nuneaton Old Eds A Old Halesonians H Whitchurch H Worcester Wanderers A Stratford H Sutton Coldfield A Walsall H Bournville A TBA Banbury H Camp Hill A Lichfield H Dudley Kingswinford A Nuneaton Old Eds H Old Halesonians A INTER CLUB GAME Whitchurch A Worcester Wanderers H Stratford A Sutton Coldfield H Walsall A TBA Bournville H TBA Banbury A Camp Hill H TBA Lichfield A TBA Dudley Kingswinford H Leamington A League Play-offs League Play-offs League Play-offs

Type L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L

Result + 26 10 33 6 41

5 31 22 8 13

Referees’ Signals Explained

Ball held up in in-goal

Offside at scrum, ruck or maul

Obstruction in general play

Handling ball in ruck or scrum

Unplayable ball in maul

Unplayable ball in ruck or tackle

To help you to understand the decisions made by referees we show a selection of the signals used by the official to illustrate those decisions. Space permitting, we will include a further selection in future programmes of the 46 different signals defined by the IRB – heaven knows how the refs remember them all!