A LONG run of ten matches without a win in the Midlands 2 West (South) division finally came to an end for Old Leamingtonians after the beat Old Yardleians 24-10 at The Crofts on Saturday.
The game kicked off in sunshine and almost perfect conditions for rugby but it was the home side who suffered the first set back when Old Yards converted a penalty to go three points ahead.
The response from the OL’s was to take the game to the visitors and it was not long before the pressure was rewarded with a try by fly half Bradley James wide out on the left although the attempted conversion was narrowly missed.
OL’s continued to pressure the Old Yards defence and again following good forward pressure the visitors pack was forced back over the goal line for prop Craig Ellis to score the first of his two tries.
This time the conversion was good and stretched OL’s lead and when the same player scored another try just before half time, again converted the home side reached the interval with a 19-3 lead.
The second half saw Old Yard’s come more into the game and forward pressure was rewarded with a push over converted try.
The hosts were now on the back foot having to defend and a couple of lapses in what is usually solid defence, presented the visitors two more unconverted tries to put them into the lead with ten minutes of the game remaining. The picture was emerging of yet another losing bonus point from a another narrow defeat but OL’s took the game back to Old Yards and flanker Ollie Berman took an overlap pass to score between the posts.
The conversion was pulled wide and left OL’s a few minutes to play out the game which they did to record only their second league victory of the season.
This Saturday OL’s travel to Coventry to face Pinley.
