RUGBY PICTURES: Victory for Old Laurentians over Evesham

Pictures by Mike Baker

Midlands 2 West (South): Old Laurentians 34 Evesham 7

OLs registered what was ultimately a comfortable bonus point victory, but not before they had subdued a spirited and competitive Evesham team to dominate the second half, writes Bill Wallis.

It was 20 minutes before OLs scored, Dan Price putting over a penalty awarded after a storming run by Dom Hammond was halted by a high tackle .

OLs were on top in most phases of play but unable to break down a stubborn Evesham defence until half time approached. Matt O’Connor made a searing 40m break and Troy Owen was able to charge over for the game’s first try, converted by Price for a 10-0 lead at half time.

Early in the second half, Ben Roach punched through midfield, Cain Jones and Jordan Bunn carried it on and Harry Spears finished decisively under the posts, a 17-0 lead with Price’s conversion.

Evesham hit back with a try after their left wing intercepted a pass.But OLs now took charge and after an initial surge by Owen, Greg Loydall delivered a scoring pass to full back Price to scythe through. Price repeated the trick five minutes later, again entering the line from full back to score wide out.

In the final play of the game, Loydall delivered the final pass Andy Orbinson, the number 8 surging over and Price converting.

The win came at some cost as Greg Loydall suffered a severe shoulder dislocation in a late tackle as he set up the last score, an injury which has brought his season to a premature end. It was just his third game back in OL’s colours after returning from a spell playing national league rugby at Leicester Lions and the club will seriously miss a highly talented player.

But stepping up again were the four 18-year olds on show in this game, Dan Price, Harry Spears, Matt O’Connor and Cameron Buxton each demonstrating their talent. Price’s two tries contributed to a personal tally of 19 points, and Spears added another touch down to make five for the season so far and bring him alongside Price and Dom Hammond as OL’s leading try scorers, O’Connor and Buxton close behind with four and three touchdowns respectively.

OLs travel to old rivals Leamington on Saturday, looking for the win points to move further up the table from their current fifth place.