Sat 17 Jan 2026, 14:15
Earlsdon suffered a frustrating 29–38 away defeat to Leamington RFC on Saturday in a match that very much felt like one that slipped away rather than one that was taken from them.
Earlsdon were in control for much of the first half, playing with good tempo and physicality to build a deserved 19–10 lead at the break. Territory and possession were largely in their favour, and the side looked confident with ball in hand, asking consistent questions of the Leamington defence.
However, head coach Jon Fitt highlighted the loss of Will Hayward to injury as the pivotal moment in the contest. His absence disrupted Earlsdon’s structure, and Leamington were quick to sense an opportunity. The visitors played directly to their strengths after half-time, increasing the pace and exploiting space out wide. Earlsdon’s defensive standards dropped, and some soft missed tackles allowed Leamington to run riot and swing the momentum decisively in their favour.
Despite the scoreline, there were positives in the closing stages. Earlsdon finished the game strongly, showing fight and fitness as they attempted to claw their way back into contention. However, the damage had already been done.
Reflecting on the result, Fitt was clear in his assessment: “This was another game that we lost, rather than the other team beat us. We cannot allow teams to get away from us like that.” He stressed that if Earlsdon are to be successful at this level, their basics across the field have to be consistently high, and that talk must be backed up by actions when pressure moments arrive.
It was a sobering lesson for Earlsdon — one that underlines the fine margins at this level and the importance of discipline, defensive accuracy, and maintaining standards for the full 80 minutes.
