Old Yardleians RFC: Club News
In the press again - Rugby Round-up for Saturday 13th September
Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:00
A copy of an article printed in the Birmingham Mail and Solihull local papers.
Following last week's excellent win over Edwardians in the North Midlands Shield, The Ones began life in Midlands 2 West (South) on Saturday and made it two wins from two for new skipper Sean Rai with a comfortable 27-14 victory over Leamington at Tilehouse Lane, and with the game coinciding with the club's first Vice President's Day of the season it was watched by a large vocal crowd.
Despite Leamington starting brightly it was the home side who opened the scoring after being awarded a penalty by North Midlands Society referee John Kelly, this was converted by fullback Carl Bucknall for a 3-0 lead. But Leamington continued to test the league new boys and were eventually rewarded when Yards conceded a penalty close to their goal line and Leamington prop Scott Peters' quick tap saw him crash over before the home side could organise their lines. Fly half Sam Nunn converted to give the visitors a 7-3 lead. Yards continued to absorb pressure and the deficit was reduced just before half time with a second successful penalty from Bucknall with the sides turning round at 6-7
In the second half the large Yards pack began to get to grip with their opponents exerting more & more pressure in both the set pieces with Leamington being camped in their own twenty two for long periods, and this pressure began to tell as Leamington began to infringe time & again testing the referee's patience, before a first and then a second yellow card were shown reducing the visitors to thirteen men. Yards soon took full advantage of their numerical superiority with two tries by winger Andy Pearce and replacement back Jim Hendrick, both converted by fullback Bucknall to lead 20-7. With Leamington now forced to chase the game, the game began to open up and Yards scored a third try through second row Micky Brennan, with fullback Bucknall having the perfect day with his fifth successful kick of the day. Leamington did have the final score of the game with a try from flanker Dan Kane converted by Nunn. Final score 27-14.
The new kit sponsored by A-Star
Next week Yards travel to Malvern in their second league outing of the season.
The Club's second string side faced a tricky away fixture against Aldridge 1sts and won a tight encounter 29-27 with tries from skipper Jamie Walton, scrum half Matt Harrison, and a brace from former Cyprus international winger Dino Markou, Walton adding three conversions and a penalty.
The Club's elderly gentleman the Vandals also faced a difficult road trip against a young & committed Yardley & District 2nds; but ultimately experience won the day with a 43-7 win. Tries coming from Sam Gouldbourn, Jason Goodwin, and Nick Palmer, with two tries a piece for wingers Phil Watson & Joe Gouldbourn, Dave Rollins kicked the four conversions.
The Vandals get a mention in the RFU's Touchline magazine Sept. 2014
