RUGBY: Future is rosy as young Old Laurentians enjoy Midland and Warwickshire call-ups

Midlands 2 West (South)

Barkers Butts 43 Old Laurentians 5

As recently as November, OLs played some of their best rugby this season with a comprehensive win over Barkers at Fenley Field but the return match saw quite a turn round as the Coventry club were convincing winners on their own ground, writes Bill Wallis.

Granted that OLs were missing a number of front-line players who featured in the earlier encounter, but they were comprehensively and disappointingly outplayed in front of a large travelling band of their Vice-Presidents.

Feeding off quick, plentiful possession Barkers’ speedy back line were dominant in open play and they had three tries and 17 points on the board with barely 20 minutes played.

For the next 30 minutes OLs enjoyed their best spell, Jordan Bunn getting his side on the score board late in the first half with a 60-metre run after an interception to leave the half time score at 17-5.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half yielded some enterprising play by OLs who appeared to be fighting their way back into contention but failing to find the finishing touch.

But the final quarter was a carbon copy of the first as Barkers re-asserted their authority to register four more tries, as OLs defence was too easily shredded, and run out comfortable winners.

One Old Laurentian who enhanced his already glowing reputation was full back Harry Spears, always safe under high balls and never shirking tackles as the frequently exposed last line of defence.

OLs slipped to 7th in the league in a crowded mid table area and have a home game this Saturday against Earlsdon, ko 2.15pm.

This wasn’t a good outcome but the rest of the news over the weekend was outstanding for the club. It started with Dan Price playing for the Midlands Under 18 team in what was effectively a trial for the England team at that age group.

The Under 15 team will have eight players in the Warwickshire team this weekend whilst another 13 from the squad will feature in the Rugby & District team – and the Under 15s have already reached the final of the County Cup. Not to be left out the club’s Under 16 team have 3 representatives in the Warwickshire squad and the Under 17s will provide two players for the county team.

And the girls’ teams are sharing the glory. The Under 15 team had no less than 12 players in the County team at the weekend and the Under 18s were represented by 2 players turning out for the county.

All this represents a significant payback for all the time and effort put in by a large and willing band of coaches and administrators.