RAMPANT Coventry Welsh thrashed Old Leamingtonians 36-5 in the first Midlands Three West (South) fixture of the year.
The one-sided nature of the victory for the hosts was a complete reverse of September’s fixture at Bericote Road, when Old Leams were on the right side of a 45-19 scoreline.
Welsh showed a ruthless streak in Saturday’s fixture, one which was very much missing in the previous meeting between the two, helping them build on the promising win enjoyed against Ledbury prior to the Christmas break.
Anton Haywood, Matt Carrier, Chris Reynolds, Brett Horan and Luke Horan all reached the try line for the hosts – with the latter adding four conversions and kicking a penalty at Burbages Lane.
After just three minutes of play, Coventry took the lead through Haywood’s converted score, although the visitors rallied to take control of the game and eventually narrow the gap through Liam Wellings’ try.
With the scoreline in the balance at 7-5, Welsh spurred themselves on and claimed a second converted try when Carrier crossed the whitewash.
A third converted try of the half followed for the hosts, courtesy of Reynolds, before OLs shot themselves in the foot when Joe Tallamini was shown a red card as a result of a coming together with one of his own teammates.
While the away side managed to get to the break without conceding, the second half was dominated by Coventry with the man advantage.
A long-range penalty from Luke Horan bumped up the score, while two tries later in the half from the Horan brothers – one of which was converted by Luke – helped Welsh run out clear winners.
Coventry leapfrog eighth-placed Old Leamingtonians into seventh as a result of the win, a position they hope to improve when visiting league leaders Rugby St Andrews this weekend.
OLs will attempt to dust themselves down with a positive result against fifth-placed Ledbury (both Saturday, 2.15pm).
