Back to winning ways

Leamington got back into winning ways in fine style, by blowing the Cheltenham North side away in the first half with a very determined display. Spa started the game at pace and with high tempo, in the manner that Coaches, Alan Roberts and Alex Carroll have instilled in the squad.

During the opening twenty minutes, Spa scored four tries and put the game beyond Cheltenham, despite the away side’s spirited display in the second half.

With the game just four minutes old Spa took the lead with a try by Simon Dudley, following a strong run by Centre, Matt Cooper. Then, from the kick off, Marcus Pask fielded the ball superbly and slipped a sharp pass to Fly-Half, Tom Secher. At the pace of play that Secher thrives on, he raced through the defenders and set Cooper up for his first try of the day. “Patch” Northover despatched the conversion. The big “Moorefields” crowd didn’t have to wait too long before they were treated to another score. Once again Secher and Cooper created space for Simon Dudley to open up the Cheltenham defence and get a pass out to John Raby, to crash over.

Surprisingly, in the visitors first foray into Spa’s last quarter they scored a converted try. Then, they hit Spa with a very well executed, long range, Drop-Goal.

Spa quickly put any thought of a Cheltenham come back to bed, as the talents of Secher and Cooper combined once again to set wing, John Raby up for another smart try. Northover quickly despatched the conversion.

Spa were in full flow during this opening half and the creativity of the back line was matched by another very solid display by the pack. Skipper, Nick Maxwell made sure that his troops worked hard in the scrum and line-out, thus denying the opposition any quality ball. Neil McMillan, playing his first game for some weeks, soon got back into the groove with some robust tackling. The Spa Back Row was completed by a blend of youth and experience, which was the highlight of this professional display. Pete Blunt put in another great all round performance with some dynamic attacking play and cool, calm defending, when required. His fellow, Back Row partner, Lewis Kelsey eclipsed a fine game, where he was always in support of the back line and resolute in defence, by claiming Spa’s, Akuma sponsored, “Man-of-the-Match” award.

Spa’s continued pressure brought further reward. First it was another exquisite break by Secher, at speed, that enabled to him feed Cooper, who raced over. Northover added maximum points. Then Northover’s clever kick down the touch line put Cheltenham under pressure. They failed to clear this danger and as Spa’s forwards pressed home the advantage, Blunt took control and crashed over for the last try of the half. Northover nailed the conversion.

Half-Time: 38 – 13

Spa had to contend with a stronger display from Cheltenham in the second half and came under sustained periods of pressure. However the Leamington unit are as accomplished in the art of defence as they are in attack. The home side did concede a converted try, before John Robertson reaffirmed their dominance with another slick try, which Northover converted.

Whilst the visitors did finish with one more try, the day certainly belonged to Spa. Their first half performance had dealt the visitors a fatal blow and this well deserved victory enabled Spa to halt the recent spate of defeats.

Full time: 43 – 25

Next week Spa travel to Dudley Kingswinford, kick-off 2.15 pm.