2nd November 2013 – Spartans v Leamington

Leamington, sponsored by O’Brien Contractors, came up against the league’s second placed side and put in a performance of supreme effort, from start to finish, in very trying climatic conditions. They certainly had territorial advantage in the first period and effectively dealt with Spartans robust pack of forwards throughout. However, their failure to turn possession into points allowed the hosts to get into the game and catch Spa on the break and ultimately eke out a win. Spa also lost influential Tom Daplyn who pulled up in the pre-match warm-up.

Although playing into a very strong wind, Spa were soon on the attack and benefited from a couple of testing kicks from Tom Jewitt and Alex Carroll. Carroll and Danny Ruyssevelt then linked up down flank to put some pressure on Spartans, before the latter was forced into touch.

Spa were performing strongly in the line-out, with Craig Smith and Ruyssevelt taking good clean ball to feed “Patch” Northover. This enterprising passage of play continued, Mark Baldwin nipped in to steal the ball off the opposition and break clear then Northover claimed the ball from a scrum and linked up with Ruyssevelt to heap pressure on Spartans. With Spa in full control good work from Jewitt and Marcus Pask then set the hosts nerves jangling and with the support of Northover, turned the heat up further.

On the half hour, Spartans worked their way into Spa territory for the first time and took full advantage of a penalty award to kick themselves into the lead. Then, as Leamington felt prolonged threat for the first time of the afternoon, the hosts increased their lead with a converted score.

Half Time: 10 – 0

Leamington opened up the second period with a clever break from Smith who linked up with Ruyssevelt. Then Jewitt hit a ball out of his 22 metre area and almost reached Spartans try line, thus emphasising the strength of the wind.

Spa continued to put in plenty of effort all around the park and despite being confronted by a solid pack, Danny Phillips, Nick Maxwell and Pask were rock solid in the scrum. Also, over the last three league matches, Spa have benefited from a very creative back row, with Smith, Ruyssevelt and Danny Kane all in top form. From the No8 position, Smith continued to work the ball to Northover and this combination put Spartans under pressure all afternoon.

Disappointing for Spa, injuries started to impact heavily on their game plan. With Daplyn already a casualty, Maxwell was impaired with an ankle injury and Chris Dickinson, carried a shoulder injury for all of the second period. Ruyssevelt then had to leave the park with a head injury and in the latter stages, Spa were forced down to 14 men when Danny Kane was concussed.

Spartans were playing with a lot more determination in this period and hit Spa with two relatively quick fire scores to take a 20 nil lead. Mark Baldwin then had to put in a try saving tackle to repel another break from the hosts.

The game had certainly swung out of Leamington’s reach; however they continued to threaten the Spartans try line up to the final whistle, with some tremendous driving mauls.

Full Time: 20 – 0

Next week, Spa continue league duty at “Moorefields” as they entertain Banbury, kick-off 2.15pm.