RUGBY UNION: A MUCH depleted Old Leamingtonians outfit put up a strong performance against Nuneaton Old Edwardians but they eventually lost out as their higher ranked opponents progressed in the Warwickshire Senior Vase competition, reports Denis Fisher.
Injury and a lack of availability hampered OLs at The Crofts on Saturday and despite scoring twice, they fell to a 26-10 defeat against a Nuneaton side who play in the league above.
The first passage of play saw OLs attack the visitors and they were unlucky not to score early on before the game swung into the visitors’ favour with a trio of converted penalties mid-way through the first half.
Despite the setback the home side continued to create good possession and from a committed attack Adam Stannard crossed for a well taken try to make it 9-5 at half-time will all to play for in the second half.
After the break Nuneaton played more of a forward game and put the lighter OLs pack under heavy pressure.
On 50 minutes Nuneaton’s game plan paid off when they crossed the line for the first of their tries.
The game remained equally shared for the next phases of play but it was the visitors that scored next with a converted try to move into a 16-point lead.
The next try was the pick of the match when a flowing move out of defence by OLs saw the ball moved through forwards and backs out wide to Chris Bree who ran around defenders at blistering pace from the half way line to touch down for an unconverted try.
The game continued to be equally competed from this point on but it was the visitors who scored the final try almost on the whistle to run out 26-10 winners and claim a place in the Warwickshire Senior Vase semi-final.
OLs are next in action at home this Saturday when they entertain Old Wheatleyans in the Midlands 3 West (South) League.
