In what was always going to be a challenging match for Leamington, they put in a solid performance but at crucial times during the afternoon, failed to cope with the home side’s excellent use of the rolling maul. The result leaves them perilously close to the drop zone, however, as there is no more than a “cigarette paper” between sixth and last place in this exciting league, a couple of wins could quickly rocket them up the table.

On a cold, wintry afternoon and playing against a sometimes strong wind, Leamington began the match in high tempo. Craig Smith was solid in the lineout and Matt Patching was very effective at the base of the scrum, getting good ball to “Patch” Northover and was equally positive, running at the opposition. The home side were finding it difficult to get into the game and had to be alert to cope with a strong run by Mark Baldwin.

Nathan Earland then sent over a long kick to the nearside flank, which opened up the Newbold defence and gave him the opportunity to pressurise the defender, winning his side a penalty. Leamington followed up this early positive play with a slick move in their backline, whipping the ball out to the far wing and nearly creating an opening.

This was certainly turning out to be a good period for the visitors, although on seventeen minutes, Newbold nearly went ahead following a strong drive up the nearside wing. However, their final pass to the wing was intercepted by Ryan Byrne, who raced from his 22 metre area, the full length of the pitch, leaving a trail of defenders, and scored under the posts. Jim Robertson slotted over the conversion and Leamington were certainly looking good value.

The Newbold club currently boast a very robust pack of forwards and Leamington’s score seemed to hit home to them that they had a game on their hands. They found space on the far wing and using the rolling maul to devastating effect, crashed over in the corner to reduce the deficit.

This move and subsequent score sounded alarm bells for Leamington’s travelling support and although a well judged Jim Robertson penalty increased the visitors lead, shortly before half-time, Newbold hit back with another well executed maul, resulting in a score.

Half-Time: 10 – 10
The start of the second period coincided with a distinct change in the weather conditions, as a nasty, bitingly cold, sleet storm arrived. However, it did not dampen the home side as they set about their best passage of play of the whole afternoon.

For the first time in the match, they took the lead with a penalty, following a Leamington misdemeanour. The home side’s pack then quickly won another penalty that was despatched to give Newbold a six point advantage.

Leamington tried to respond and a well directed kick out by Northover gave them both respite from the Newbold attack and at the same time put them in a good position. Then Ryan Byrne put in a good run at the home defence.

However, this proved short-lived for Leamington as they once again fell to the power of the Newbold pack, conceding another, this time converted, score.

The home side were in the ascendancy at this time and when their forwards once again applied the rolling maul to score a forth try, the situation was looking grim for Leamington, especially as there was still some 20 or more minutes of the match remaining. The current play indicating that further scores would follow.

In typical Leamington fashion though, they picked up their own performance and began to reproduce some of the play that they had opened the game with. Despite the poor handling conditions they began to spread the ball wide, keeping it away from the Newbold pack. Byrne and Dan Kane combined to move the ball out of Leamington’s 22 metre area and enable the attack to move swiftly up field. The visitor’s were awarded a penalty that Alex Carroll latched on to, quickly feeding Matthew “Shakey” Archer on his outside. As the Newbold defence closed in, the young Leamington forward sent inside the deftest of passes to Craig Smith, on the burst, who crashed through the home defenders, to score.

Disappointingly, the score had come too late for Leamington to perhaps build on and obtain a valuable bonus point.

Full-Time: 30 – 15

Next week Leamington host Nuneaton Old Ed’s in the league, kick-off 2.15pm.