LEAGUE leaders Old Laurentians were made to work hard for their 31-0 win at home to Old Leamingtonians on Saturday in the Midlands 2 West (S) division.
A spirited Old Leamingtonians side fought hard for the whole 80 minutes in a contest from which OLs emerged as comfortable winners to remain top of the league.
Flanker James Orbinson announced his return to action after a two-month injury absence with a powerful run which drew a penalty and Dan O’Brien converted to put the hosts in front and they never looked back.
With the strong wind behind them OLs worked hard to subdue their gutsy opponents but had to wait until 25 minutes for their first try when James Orbinson again ran strongly to put Ben Shepherd over and O’Brien added the extras for 10-0.
The visitors held out until the half-hour mark but a poor lineout gave possession to Old Laurentians and the ball was eventually released to Grant Inch who scored on the left with O’Brien once again successful with the conversion.
And as half-time approached a prolonged assault on the visitors’ line saw Bean and Orbinson combine to put Ben Scott away. O’Brien’s conversion was a formality to give the hosts a comfortable 24-0 lead at the break.
Early in the second half Old Leams had a good spell in attack with the forwards acquitting themselves well with rolling mauls and numerous phases of play close to the opposition line but again they were left frustrated that all their efforts came with no reward.
And ten minutes into the second half OLs scored a gem of a try to put the result beyond any doubt.
A quick ball from a lineout and two passes saw the ball reach Troy Owen in the centre and he picked a perfect line to scythe through Leamington’s defence before delivering a sweetly timed pass to Inch who went over wide on the left for his second try of the match and O’Brien’s finely judged kick put OLS 31-0 ahead.
The home side created few further chances of their own as the game ran down and Old Leamingtonians made life very difficult around the fringes of the forward action and regularly slowed down the play.
This Saturday OLs travels to Old Yardleians where they will be looking to secure another bonus point win to maintain their league leadership and unbeaten record.
