Old Leamingtonians have wind in their sails

Old Leamingtonians progressed through to the semi-finals of the RFU Senior Vase with an impressive victory over Willenhall.

The game kicked off with Willenhall making a succession of forays into the home side’s 22 courtesy of good ball handling and fast interchanges of play.

It was no surprise when OLs conceded a penalty to go 3-0 down and the game continued in the same manner for the next 15 minutes with OLs on the back foot.

Gradually the hosts got back into the game with their forwards giving the heavier Willenhall pack some problems.

Forward surges by OLs resulted in infringements by the receding Willenhall pack and after one too many, a penalty try was awarded which was converted by fly-half Angus Rose.

Willenhall regained the lead courtesy of a converted try but OLs’ response was swift.

The ball was well won in midfield by the forwards and moved swiftly along the line to centre Simon Hemming who scythed through the line and offloaded to Lynsey Bishop to touch down. Rose converted to make it 14-10 before a long-range penalty from Whitehall closed the deficit to a point at the break.

In the second half, OLs, benefiting from a slight following wind, took charge of the game.

Willenhall simply had no answer to their rampant forwards and strong-running backs, with back- row Liam Jones crossing for two tries, one of which was converted.

The forward pressure exerted on the tiring Willenhall pack was relentless and more drives saw the ball freed up for replacement scrum- half Mark Foley to go over for a fifth try, again converted by Rose.

Willenhall were by now a well- beaten side and it was no surprise when number eight Jason Healey, appearing on the left wing, ran the ball in from 25 metres out to score near the touchline, Rose converting.

With the game nearing its conclusion, it was left to Liam Wellings to score the try of the match, which was acclaimed by both sets of fans.

After receiving the ball inside his own half, the right-winger set off on a storming zig-zag run that saw him brush aside half of the opposition before touching down Chris Ashton-style between the posts.