12th October 2013 – Old Coventrians v Leamington

What a difference a week can make! After last Saturdays poor display, Leamington, sponsored by O’Brien Contractors, bounced back with a professional performance against a disciplined OC’s side, who tested the Spa outfit from the outset. However, it was Spa’s determined defence that eventually proved the difference between the two sides, as they managed to keep the home side from scoring, whilst under concerted periods of pressure throughout the match.

Both teams currently sit mid-table in the league and both needed a win to boost confidence. Leamington started brightly, with a clever kick out from Alex Carroll and then a break up the nearside wing from Tom Daplyn. They improved on this with a forceful run from Craig Smith and then from a charge by Marcus Pask. When OC’s broke out, Daplyn was on hand to put in a solid, saving, tackle.

Leamington’s promising start had bought no points and OC’s began to hit back with some clever attack play of their own. They pressed the Spa defence with some robust play and the visitors soon found themselves under pressure for a prolonged period. Despite putting Spa to the test, OC’s failed to break down the visitors defence and on the half hour, they fell to a breakaway try. Daplyn claimed the ball deep in Spa territory and with Danny Ruyssevelt in support, darted up field. Craig Smith raced to further bolster this attack and took the final pass, burst through a couple of tackles and powered in under the posts. Tom Secher added the conversion.

OC’s hit back with a penalty goal, however, in the dying seconds of the half, Spa responded with a penalty of their own, courtesy of Secher, to go in marginally ahead.

Half Time: 3 – 10

Leamington had the best possible start to the second period, scoring a blistering try. Tom Greevy, having a fine game, received the ball at outside centre, in his 22 metre area, and prepared for a sprint up field. Danny Kane was on his outside and took a quick pass and broke clear. His turn of speed caught the home side flatfooted and they failed to lay a hand on the determined Spa runner, as he raced in under the posts. Secher added the extras.

OC’s were stunned by this score but once again put Spa under pressure, however, once again the solid defence kept them out.

When Spa did break the stranglehold, they managed to claim two further penalty goals from Secher’s boot to increase the pressure on the home side. Winger, John Raby then hit the home side with a jinking run before Spa scored their final try. With space tight, Alex Carroll sent over the deftest of chips, which Secher latched on to and outstripped the defender to score under the posts. He wasted no time in adding the conversion.

In the dying minutes OC’s hit Spa with a well worked, converted try, in the corner.

Spa had produced an all round, solid performance to claim the win. Their front five had been a real force in the set play, giving the energetic Back-Row of Smith, Ruyssevelt and Kane the time to set about repelling OC’s strong runners around the park. The Back line had used the ball with intelligence and made full use of their possession to hit the home side on the break and set up the victory.

Full Time: 10 – 30

Spa return to league duty in two weeks time and entertain neighbours, Old Leamingtonians, kick-off 3.00pm.