8th February 2014 – Leamington v Spartans

Leamington continued their excellent run in the league, with a polished performance against Spartans, once top of the table and the last Club to inflict a defeat on the hosts.

A strong, blustery wind, did nothing to add to the quality of rugby on show, however it was insufficient in strength to prevent the Spa forwards from putting in another five star display, which comprehensively snubbed out the Spartans attack. The Leamington Front Row, with Nick Maxwell, superbly supported once again by the quiet assassin, Danny Phillips and the ebullient Scott Peters, produced another solid display in the set piece, which formed the basis of this hard-earned victory. This platform has become the important catalyst in the squad, which has enabled Spa to discreetly climb the table and start breathing down the necks of the league leaders.

Spa started the match on the front foot and quickly put pressure on the Spartans defence with a good scrum and “pick and run” from No8 Peter Blunt. His partnership with scrum-half, “Patch” Northover, was to become a constant thorn in the side for Spartans, all afternoon. This early pressure was rewarded with a penalty, which Northover spurned, in the unhelpful crosswind.

Spartans did respond, at pace, and were unlucky not to score from an interception. The Spa defence, however, quickly recovered from the error and defended the situation. Spartans then missed a penalty attempt of their own but caught Spa cold from the resulting 22 metre drop out. The visitors claimed possession and sent the ball down the back line, creating the space to score in the nearside corner.

Leamington’s response was immediate and quickly reduced the deficit, as Tom Daplyn opened up the visitors defence with a break that resulted in a penalty, effortlessly despatched by Northover. Spa took the lead some four minutes later with a fine passage of play. Winning a lineout near Spartans 22 metre line, Craig Smith plucked the ball out of the air and allowed Maxwell the chance to run at the defence, resulting in a penalty. Northover pounced on the situation and fed the ball to Danny Ruyssevelt who raced in for the try.

In the first quarter of the game, much of the play had been in midfield but now Spa were starting to boss proceedings. The possession that the Forwards were providing was being used wisely by their backline, with Chris Murphy, deputising at Fly-Half, always trying to get the ball flowing along his line. Northover was constantly harrying his opposite number at the base of the scrum and Smith continually stamped his authority in the lineout. In one forward surge, Danny Phillips crashed through the line of defence and was unlucky to be held up, just short of the line. This dominance brought further reward, again through some exquisite football. Spa won the ball at a scrum, near the Spartans line. Blunt used it to feed the ball to Northover whose looping pass was picked up by winger, Ryan Byrne, allowing him room to race in near the far corner. In the most testing conditions, Northover drove over the conversion attempt to gain the extras.

Leamington continued to manage the game in a professional manner, defending in depth when required and using the ball to attack when the opportunity arose. In the final minutes of the half, they increased their lead with another cleverly engineered score. Scott Peters forced his way through the Spartans defence, winning a penalty in the process. Northover, Byrne and Blunt combined to quickly move the ball out wide to Simon Mallard, who had arrived from the opposite wing. He completed this sharp attack by rounding the defence and getting the all important touch down. Northover once again sent over a quite brilliant conversion, from wide out and in gale force winds.

Half Time: 22 – 5

Spa were well worth the lead they had amassed and as the climatic conditions worsened, the quality of their display did not diminish. Where they can be particularly pleased is with their effort in defence. Spartans had pace in their right wing and used this ploy to test out Spa on a number of occasions, particularly in the second period. However, Spa kept their nerve and put up a stonewall defence. When Spa attacked, it was usually the result of a surge from the Forwards. All of the Pack were working well, the Front Row solid, Smith and Tom Greevy took care of the lineout and worked tirelessly in the loose to secure good ball. Blunt, Ruyssevelt and Dan Kane made the afternoon as uncomfortable as possible for Spartans, by snubbing out any sign of life in the visitors attack and by constantly probing at their defence.

Leamington increased their lead with another well worked, but this time, individual score. Play was around the near side wing, deep in Spartans territory. As the visitors lost possession, Craig Smith hacked the ball through and followed up, outstripping the defenders and claiming the try. Northover, in unstoppable form, slotted over the conversion.
Although Spartans did manage a reply, late in the game, the final score gave Spa the all important bonus point and saw them slip into third place in this very competitive league.

Full Time: 29 – 12

Next week, Spa continue on league duty with a trip to Banbury, kick-off 2.15.