Match Report
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East Midlands hosted Warwickshire at Northampton Old Scouts for the opening match of the Bill Beaumont Cup in Division 2.
Both teams started with a pace more akin to a game of Rugby 7s than the 15 a side match. As if to wear each other out in the early stages both sides played at a blistering rate under an unusually warm sun. Any expectation of settling into a sensible pace didn't seem to cross the mind of either team as they continued their high speed antics to the end.
East Midlands started the score line rolling with a try on the right wing by Ben Wilkinson as Nic Potgieter and Lee Lightowler tried their best to stop him.
Ben Wilkinson (EMRU) crosses the line for an opening try
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Next across the line for East Midlands was Finlay Parker with a high-speed burst on the left wing, popping the ball down between the posts with metres of space to spare.
Finlay Parker (EMRU) touches down a try between the posts with metres of clear space around him
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Max Titchner looked as though he was next up for a score until Joe Jackson steered him into the post protector leading to the ball being ruled held up.
Sadly the steering is off and Max Titchner (EMRU) hits the post rather than the line, so close!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The second half saw East Midlands dominate the scoring again with the opening score for them being a fast break down the left wing by Liam Hancock finishing in a dramatic dive over the line landing just inside the flag.
Liam Hancock (EMRU) on his way to the line and a spectacular try against Warwickshire.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Shortly afterwards Finlay Parker scored his second try of the match from an offload just short of the line by teammate Joey Patrick.
Finlay Parkersteams across the Warwickshire line after a last minute offload to try.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Next across the line for East Midlands was Alex Finney in a powerful drive from a maul just short of the line on the right wing.
Alex Finney (EMRU) cross the line to score for East Midlands.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The final addition to a total of six tries for East Midlands was scored by Conor Finch with a snap dash over the line on the right wing as Jamie Mapletoft tried to stop him.
Conor Finch (EMRU) scores for East Midlands after a snap dash for the line.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
East Midlands score line rested with a handsome total of 6 tries, 4 conversions and a penalty.
East Midlands didn't have things all their own way though with Warwickshire making them work hard for every point and taking advantage of every mistake that they could. Warwickshire managed to score 3 tries (Moses Liwaliwa, Nic Potgieter and Jamie Mapletoft) with Mapletoft's effort being a particularly cheeky interception close to the East Midlands Line. A penalty of their own saw them complete their score line.
Martyn Sly (AR2), Leonie Pryor (AR1) & Lloyd Davies (Referee) - Officials for the Bill Beaumont Cup Opening Match for EMRU vs Warwickshire.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
East Midlands end their opening game on a high with a Bonus point and leading the Division 2 table.
Full Time
East Midlands: 41
Warwickshire: 24
