After the humiliating defeat against Worcester II two weeks ago, Old Leamingtonians Ladies were eager to prove they are still a title contender in Midlands 2 this year. A thunder-speech from coach Tim Burden during training on Wednesday served as an extra reminder that the team has the quality to go places but that they can be vulnerable when the concentration is not 100%.

Captained by the experienced Claire Penna, OLs lined up against league leaders Newcastle-under-Lyme.

From the start it was clear that this match was going to be a tough, physical game. Newcastle was clearly more aggressive in the rucks, clearing Old Leams out of the way and more than matching them in the scrums.

But Old Leams managed to hold Newcastle off and after 20 minutes, it was the home team that opened the score with a well worked try from new outside centre, Jo Grewcock. Beating the Newcastle defence on the outside, she ran along the touch line to touch down for her first try for Old Leamingtonians.

Although now in the lead, Old Leamingtonians realised that they needed to be more aggressive and really attack the rucks and mauls, matching the Newcastle defence. And where in the past Old Leams were unable to do this, this time, with events of the past 2 weeks in the back of their minds, they stepped up to the challenge.

OLs line-outs worked well and the Newcastle ones were disrupted time and again.

The forwards stepped up and started rucking Newcastle out of the way, producing clean ball for scrum half Penna. The backs penetrated the Newcastle defence, spinning the ball wide.

Most of the first half was played on the Newcastle side of the field.

At half time, Old Leams made 4 substitutions, ensuring the fresh legs would provide the energy required to sustain the level of the game.

Newcastle was put under pressure straight away but a second try remained elusive until 10 minutes into the second half.

Coming out of a ruck, the ball passed along the field via a series of short pops and off-loads until inside-centre Charlotte Hewer suddenly found herself with 10 metres of open space between her and the Newcastle posts. She powered forward and despite a tackle inches before the line, she scored the try Old Leams needed to give themselves a bit more space. The low sun prevented the conversion from being scored.

Newcastle then put Old Leams under a lot of pressure for the next 15 minutes. Twice Old Leams held them up over the line with some strong defending from especially flanker Pip Colenutt and hooker Caz Lambert.

Finally Newcastle scored when they broke through the Old Leamingtonians defence from the back of a scum. The conversion brought the score to 10-7 for Old Leams.

The last 10 minutes of the game belonged to the home team. Once they were held up in the far left corner of the pitch but the unrelenting pressure finally resulted in a try when another new recruit, full-back Karen Coleman scored her first try for Old Leamingtonians when she burst through the middle of the Newcastle defence.

The victory was a true team performance and credit must go to the entire team that managed to lift the game and attitude when it was most needed.

Player of the match was Pip Colenutt.

New players are welcome to join. Please visit www.olrfc.co.uk for more information.