Steady as ever in the scrum

In recent years, this fixture has thrown up some superb entertainment. Back in 2009 Leamington won, to seal promotion to Midlands 1 and more recently they produced a sensational finish, with only 13 men on the park, to get maximum points. Last week Droitwich hit the high notes with a convincing home win against Spartans, while Leamington produced a determined performance to beat Banbury. So the scene was set for another potential thriller in Midlands 2 West (South).

Playing against a bitingly cold wind, Leamington were soon having to defend and Ross Waterhouse was on hand to stop a lively Droitwich move, with a well-timed intervention. Evidence of the strength of the wind was confirmed when Jim Robertson tried to clear his lines with a kick to touch, which was held in the air and failed to reach its intended destination.

With Droitwich using the weather conditions to their full advantage, they were once again thwarted by some clever play, this time from “Patch” Northover, who managed to dive on a loose ball in his 22 metre zone, retake possession and allow it to be cleared. Then, as play was switched to the far wing, Gareth Shuttleworth got in a timely kick to clear the danger and deny Droitwich the advantage.

Up against a big pack, Leamington were as steady as ever in the scrum, showing superb technique to claim their own ball and create as much disruption to the Droitwich “put-in” as possible. Matt Patching, back at Second Row, was also in good form, with some determined tackling.

With some fifteen minutes played, Droitwich finally broke through the Leamington defence as they once again switched play, quickly across the park, created an overlap and raced in for a converted score.

On balance of play, this was just reward for the home team’s efforts and Leamington responded immediately with a positive break down the far wing. Then they won line-out ball on the same flank and using a formidable rolling maul were unlucky not to score. Droitwich were now having to defend deep as Leamington projected their best play of the game so far. To further advance their case, Leamington won the ball against the head at a scrum and once again attacked down the far wing. With the Droitwich defence now creaking, Craig Smith was unlucky not to break through, following another forward surge.

The conditions were still favouring the home side and as the half drew to a close, Leamington failed to get the ball into touch and allowed Droitwich to claim possession. They quickly move the ball wide and found a gap in the usually tight, Leamington defence, to go over for an unconverted score.

Half Time: 12 – 0

At the restart, Leamington immediately kicked themselves into an attacking position and put pressure on the home side. However, throughout the match, the bitterly cold conditions had caused handling problems for both sides and this was to become an issue as good positional play was lost by the final pass going astray.

In one early incursion, Jim Robertson nearly crashed through, then with Leamington attacking at pace and with the overlap available, once again a fluffed pass broke the move up.

As often happens in a match where one side becomes dominant, failure to capitalise on the territorial advantage can be costly. This was the case today as the home side managed to stave off all the pressure exerted on them, only to hit back and score another, unconverted score.

Although time was plentiful, Leamington’s attack was still just off the pace and they failed to make any use of the possession they won, until it was too late. In a late flurry, they attacked deep into the Droitwich 22 metre zone and won a succession of penalty advantages. Making excellent use of the rolling maul again, they forced through, with Scott Peters getting the ball down.

During the match, Leamington had picked up two or three niggling injuries, which did nothing to help their flow and they will be grateful for a free week to allow the squad to get back to full fitness.

Full Time: 17 – 5

Leamington return to league duty on the 31st January, when they entertain Spartans, kick-off 2.15pm.