Two out of two

Leamington continued their new venture in Midlands 1 West with the trip to Stoke-on-Trent, at a ground where previous encounters had seen the home side take the spoils. Despite Stoke’s poor result last week, Spa are mature enough to know that mitigating circumstances are apt to play a part and as such there preparation was its usual high calibre. Having the benefit of a squad of good quality players, the team management can now adopt a “rotation policy” that will surely benefit the team during this long and testing season.

Conditions suited Spa’s elegant style of play and from the outset they showed their desire to play “rugby”. The somewhat “lumbering” front row of Stoke were not so keen on the warm autumn sunshine and spent much of their time spread-eagled on ground, requiring constant attention, to what the Referee described as “serious injuries”. It is good to report that these injuries were met with the same number of “miraculous recoveries”! These “stop start” passages of play were to plague Spa throughout the afternoon.

Tom Secher was first to show the home side spectators the sort of adventurous rugby that is now common place at Leamington, with a fine break at pace. Versatile, Marcus Pask, then took clean ball at a line-out to feed Pete Blunt who, with No 8, Scott Conduit, went on to probe the home defence.

On fifteen minutes, Blunt’s co-partner in the back row, Danny Ruyssevelt claimed the ball and set his back line up for a run. A “switch” move between Tom Williams and Adam Preece caught the home side napping and as the ball was sent to wing, Simon Dudley, Spa made good ground into the Stoke 22 metre area. Now with the Spa forwards in close support, Stoke were forced to concede a penalty, which Secher cooly slotted.

Leamington soaked up some pressure from the Stoke attack, and then increased their lead with another Secher penalty.
Stoke got on to the score sheet with a penalty of their own then pressed Spa with a strong passage of play. This was halted, first by a try saving tackle by Tom Williams and then through a huge clearance kick by Secher.

Whilst not dominating the game, Spa looked in control and it was therefore surprising to see them give up the lead as they failed to halt a decisive run by the home fly half, which saw him touch down under the posts.

Half Time: 10 – 6

If the home support thought they were in for a winning afternoon, they were soon to be disappointed as Spa started the second half in determined mood. One player in particular was to become their “nemesis”.
Apparently, diamonds are the “hardest naturally-occurring substance”, presumably that’s as well as Pete Blunt. Leamington’s own “diamond” had put in some monumental tackles in the first half and was first out of the blocks to catch Stoke with a penetrative run that saw then stop unjustly. Secher obliged with the resulting penalty.

Then Spa cooled the home support with a piece of “pure magic”. A solid scrum and resulting maul saw the Leamington forwards provide good quality ball to Secher, deep in his 22 metre area. He needed no encouragement as he set off on a typical mazy run, at breathtaking speed. It took him the full length of the pitch and nearing the try line and with the home defence in hot foot; he slipped the ball to Preece to skip over. Secher then added the conversion.

With Spa now in good spirit, Blunt took the ball from the kick-off and linked intelligently with Tom Williams and Pask to add more pressure on the home side. Stoke who have plenty of “bulk” in both their pack and back line then had to contend with the power of Leamington’s centre, Gordon Jackson, who matched them with some robust runs.

In the latter stages of the game, Blunt and Williams shone with some determined tackling and fine running. It was no surprise that it was Williams who was to create Spa’s last try with a seemingly effortless gallop down the wing. He slipped the ball to the tenacious “Patch” Northover, for the young scrum half to race over. In the dying moments of the game, Secher finished off the day’s scoring with a penalty goal.

Full Time: 10 – 24

Whilst it may not have been the “champagne style rugby” display of last week, this was nevertheless an important win, thus putting maximum points on the board. All at “Moorefields” are aware that this new league includes some formidable opponents and come the end of the season these results could prove crucial.

Next week Leamington entertain near neighbours, Stratford-upon-Avon for what should be an interesting encounter, following there impressive weekend win over Dudley Kingswinford. Kick-off 3.00pm.

Report by John Warner.