RUGBY UNION: ANOTHER high scoring victory saw Old Leamingtonians run in 12 tries as they thumped Bedworth 22-86 in their own back yard to move up to second in the Midlands West 3 (South), reports Denis Fisher.
Bedworth had the wind in their favour in the opening period on Saturday but it was the visitors who went in front with three minutes on the clock when a series of mauls led to Craig Ellis scoring an unconverted try wide on the right.
This was to be the first of only two tries to be scored by the OLs forwards during a game that saw their three quarters completely dominate their Bedworth counterparts.
However on 12 minutes some sloppy defence allowed Bedworth to get onto the score sheet with an unconverted try.
This set back saw OLs move up a gear and the game swung in the visitors’ favour and the tries soon followed in quick succession from centre Henry Reynolds who touched down twice and Liam Wellings scored before half-time.
Bradley James converted all three tries and added two penalties but OLs’ attacking game plan did present Bedworth with opportunities of their own and from one such attack the home side were able to force the ball over for an unconverted try.
Almost on half time Bedworth created their best move of the game after OLs again lost possession deep in their own 22 metre area presenting Bedworth with an overlap to give their winger a try in the corner, which was converted for 17-32 at the break.
The second half kicked off with OLs now enjoying the wind advantage and it was only five minutes into the half when centre Tom Eales fly-kicked the ball down field and he received the ball from an ensuing five metre scrum and crossed the line for OLs’ fifth try which was converted by James.
The game was now being dominated by OLs and further tries from Henry Reynolds, Liam Wellings, Jake Byrne (2), Dave Canning, Adam Stannard and hooker Reece Jones, six of which were converted, followed in steady procession.
Bedworth did manage one more unconverted try following loose play from the OLs defence to allow their forwards to drive the OLs back over the goal line to give Bedworth a bonus point from the match.
OLs must now prepare for a difficult match against league leaders and unbeaten Droitwich on November 19.
