Rugby Union
Debutants star for Sils

Silhillians 22 Leamington 14

Midlands Two West (South)

TRIES from two debutants helped Silhillians to victory on Saturday as they kept themselves in touch at the top of the table.

Sils, who entertain Berkswell and Balsall in the Warwickshire Cup this Saturday, sit fifth following their eighth win of the campaign, eight points behind second placed Newbold with nine games of the season remaining.

The hosts included three debut making Colts in their starting XV and despite making a shaky start, Sils defended well to keep Leamington at bay.

A missed penalty by the visitors seemed to bring Sils to life and after putting together some attacking moves of their own they won a penalty which Steve Hawkins converted.

Sils’ forwards began to dominate, providing quick ball for Ollie Blundell to release the backs. Strong running from Harrison Law then provided a platform for the forwards to produce quick ball and after Si Doherty made a fine line break and good ground, he released Ollie Beech for the first try of the game, Hawkins converted.

The lead was soon extended when the forwards drove 40m from a line-out and although they were stopped just short of the line, debutant Blundell was on hand to dive over. Hawkins’ conversion made it 17-0.

Leamington came out strongly in the second half and after being frustrated initially by Sils’ defence, scored a well worked try wide on the right which was superbly converted.

Sils tried to up the tempo again with some strong running from Jack Kalewski but it was Leamington who found another gear to go over on the right for a converted try and cut the gap to three.

Heading into a nervy final ten minutes Sils introduced Will Crane and Tim Trace and that seemed to settle the home side as they dominated the closing stages.

Victory was sealed with the final play of the game when another debutant, Jack Kalewski crossed the whitewash to complete a fine performance from Sils.