Leamington hit 2011 running

Leamington hit 2011 running with a competent display against Berkswell & Balsall at Moorefields, in the Warwickshire Cup. Weather enforced disruptions meant that Spa had not played since the 11th December, when they had put in their best display of the season, away at Worcester Wanderers. Despite this time lapse, Spa were still able to build on this result as they hit Berkswell & Balsall with five tries.
The visitors opened the scoring with an early Penalty goal and shortly after, Full Back, John Raby, had to pull off a try saving tackle on the far wing to prevent further inroads. As Leamington caught breath, Lock Simon Harry hit back with a strong run and when Berkswell & Balsall conceded a penalty, Simon Tyler calmly slotted home to allow Spa to draw level.
It is no coincidence that Leamington’s recent change of form has come at the same time that Matt Cooper has returned from injury and whilst still trying to attain full match fitness, the young Wing Forward was soon making his mark with some determined running. He was instrumental in Spa’s first Try, when he won the ball and set Simon Magill off on a charge up field. As the defence closed in on the winger, he slipped a pass to Fly Half, Simon Dudley, who, still with work to do, raced in to finish off a fine move. Tyler added the conversion.
Spa continued this momentum with a pick up and run from the scrum, by No 8 Mark Roden and some excellent field kicks from “Patch” Northover.
The visitors, who work with a robust pack of forwards, then hit back and kept Spa penned into their own 22 metre area for a fifteen minute period. Despite some strong scrummaging by B & B, Leamington’s defence held firm. Then, as further pressure mounted on Spa, they came up with a tremendous scrum to win the ball and allow Magill to find touch with a fine clearance kick. The visitors continued to press although Spa nearly caught them napping on the counter, as Northover sent in a clever chip kick, which fell inches too far for Raby to latch onto. As play continued in the Spa 22 metre area, the home side were adjudged to give away one penalty too many and the visitors were awarded a “Penalty Try”.
Just before the break, Spa regained the lead with a “Patch” Northover penalty goal.
Half Time: 13 – 10
The visitors had put in a positive first half performance, however it was evident that it was too much for their fitness levels to maintain and Spa took full advantage. The home back division is full of enterprise, especially when Northover, Dudley and Alex Carroll are in tandem and this trio began to orchestrate the demolition of B & B in the second half.
From an early scrum, Cooper, Dudley and Raby combined to set Mark Baldwin up for a try in the far corner that had seen much of the first half action.
Then, from the kick-off, Spa’s Alex Carroll took control and raced up field, cutting swathes into the visitors defence. He was then able to set Magill off on another rampage, which saw several defenders bounce off the strong running winger. This was just what the home crowd wanted to see and the poor defenders were hopelessly outclassed as Magill thundered over the line for one of the best scores seen at Moorefields for some time.
Spa continued to build up steam and Mark Roden picked up at the base of the scrum and set Gordon Jackson off on one of his trademark direct charges. As the big Centre made good ground, Carroll took over and sent Raby in for Spa’s fourth Try of the afternoon. Northover added maximum points.
If Magill was running off his festive lunch, one can only imagine the size of the portion, as he continued to run riot with the visitor’s poor defenders. He was to score the final Try of the day as he finished off another fine run to touch down.
The Spa back line had outclassed their opposite numbers; however they will all be the first to congratulate the effort put into the game by their Pack, which had won the ball at crucial times to set up this victory. Eastham, Gordon and Phillips in the Front Row knew they had to be on their game to out muscle the B & B Pack and they were given excellent support by the gifted Simon Harry and Ben Ashmore, returning from long term injury, in the Second Row.
Full Time: 35 - 10
Next week, Spa return to league duty with a trip to Sutton Coldfield, kick-off 2.15pm.