ED GRAY scored twice as Leamington RFC romped to a nine-try win against Broadstreet II in a comprehensive 55-10 victory.
Gray crossed for both of his tries in the second half with Joe Kinghorn, Gareth Shuttleworth, Conor Chamberlain, Rich McKowen, Craig Smith and Will Callan all touching down at Moorefields.
The bonus point win leaves Leamington in fifth place in the Counties 1 Midlands West (South) table after they were edged out 19-17 at Old Coventrians last weekend.
However, Leamington were quick to brush off their opening weekend defeat when Kinghorn scored the opening try inside 10 minutes.
The second row bravely charged down an attempted clearance and crashed over after fine work from Louis Dunbavin, Smith and Toby Bruce to put the visitors on the back foot with McKowen adding the conversion.
Broadstreet’s young side responded with a try of their own and pressured the Leamington defence until McKowen prevented another score with a try-saving tackle as Shuttleworth cleared the ball into touch.
The home side composed themselves before scoring their second try of the afternoon through Shuttleworth after Gray won the ball cleanly at a lineout to set up a drive to the line, following McKowen’s initial kick, who then added the extras.
And Leamington made the most of the pristine playing surface to score their third try as some free-flowing rugby was finished off by Chamberlain following an incisive run from debutant wing Callan after he collected McKowen’s long pass who was on hand to kick the conversion.
The home side were gifted their fourth try of the half when a handling error was picked up by Shuttleworth who fed McKowen for another converted score.
And Leamington continued their onslaught in the second period as captain Smith showcased his electric turn of pace to sprint in for try number five which was duly converted by McKowen.
Further tries from Gray, who dotted down twice, and Callan, the latter converted by McKowen, sealed an impressive first win of the season despite Broadstreet grabbing a late consolation score.
Leamington are next in action away at Bromsgrove II on Saturday, September 17 with kick-off at 3pm at Finstall Road.
