OLD LEAMINGTONIANS recorded their biggest victory of the season after thumping Pershore 82-0 in the Midland 3 West (South) division, reports Denis Fisher.
In a game of open rugby played by both sides at Bericote Road, the final score suggests that it was all one way traffic.
But Pershore competed well throughout however they were unable to find a way through a determined OLs defence, while their own defence was breached on 14 occasions with scrum half Brad James notching no fewer than five tries and scoring six conversions.
The game kicked off with OLs taking the offensive and the first 15 minutes saw four tries scored to secure a bonus point.
Brad James claimed one of the tries with the others scored by Simon Hemming, Reece Jones, and Joe Tallimino – his first senior try.
These were followed in the first half by two further tries from James and with two of the tries converted the host held a 34-point lead at half-time.
The second half followed the same pattern with every attack by Pershore being met with resolute OLs blockade and the Pershore defence being breached almost at will by the dominant OLs.
The first second half try was touched down following good forward pressure by flanker Tom Heslop and this was quickly followed by a flowing move that saw right winger Ryan Dee outpace the retreating defence to touch down between the posts.
More forward pressure saw flanker Sam Brittan score his debut try for OLs which was converted by James.
Fly half Tom Eales was next on the scorecard with an unconverted try and for the next ten minutes it became the James show with two searing runs from the half way line to touch down for two more of his five try haul, converting one.
Pershore were still totally committed to the game but it was clear that they were tiring and from another flowing move centre Simon Hemming claimed his second try with a defence breaking run, converted by James.
The game was nearing full time when from another sweeping three-quarter move left wing Jason Hobman touched down wide out to allow James to convert and take his personal tally of points to 37 in the game.
Up next for OLs is a trip to Rugby Lions (2.15pm).
