RUGBY UNION: OLD Leamingtonians continued their turbulent start to their Midland 3 West campaign with an away defeat to Woodrush, writes Den Fisher.
A performance riddled with errors and poor defensive play allowed the home side to run in seven tries, most of which were gifted by basic handling errors.
Bright sunshine greeted players onto the field as Brad James helped OLs take the lead with a penalty in the opening minutes.
The remainder of the half proved a different story, though, as OLs wasted possession and gifted Woodrush territory and scoring chances that saw four tries registered before half time, three of which were converted.
Winter Liam Wellings responded for OLs by bagging a pair of tries for himself in the dying minutes of the first half.
Neither were converted though, as OLs trailed 26-13 at half time.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first with OLs never reaching the standard of play they had demonstrated during their successful start to the season.
Further defensive errors led to Woodrush scoring the next try and this too was converted.
OLs were never outplayed, but time and time again good possession was wasted and poor defensive structure gifted Woodrush two more almost unopposed converted tries.
It wasn’t until the last five minutes that OLs got back on the score sheet when sloppy defence by Woodrush saw Ciaran O’Connor intercept and run in to score under the posts for a consolation try that he converted.
Woodrush won 47-20.
OLs are next in action on Saturday at home against Old Wheatleyans, kick off is at 3pm.
