With “Moorefields” basking in the early Spring sunshine, Leamington put in one of their very best performances of late to give the league leaders plenty to think about in another great piece of entertainment from Midlands 2 West (South). On this showing, the side from Rugby will realise that automatic promotion is not a done deal yet.

Leamington began the game full of energy and when Gareth Shuttleworth broke from his 22 metre area, at pace, to set winger, Ryan Byrne, off on a sprint up the nearside flank, they set down their marker to the visitors. Soon after, “Patch” Northover took a quick penalty and raced at the opposition and found Dan Kane in support, to unsettle the defenders. Nathan Earland was next to pose major problems for the league leaders with a mesmeric run.

When the visitors began to get to the pace of the game and press Leamington, Earland was on hand to launch a massive kick out of defence to clear impending danger.

The hosts continued to have the majority of possession and their high tempo play was making for a very entertaining match. Their set-piece display was equal to anything the visitors could offer and around the park; Craig Smith and Matt Patching took every opportunity to drive the ball forward.

One negative for the home side was the number of penalties they were conceding and as the half time interval approached, the once again fell foul of the Referee’s whistle and the visitors took the opportunity to kick themselves into the lead.

This disappointment was, however, short-lived as the lively Northover broke again, at pace, this time up the nearside wing and found Byrne in support. The Leamington winger has plenty of power and pace at his disposal and used both to force his way over the try line.

Half Time: 5 – 3

With the first period belonging to the hosts, it was perhaps no surprise that at some stage during the afternoon, the visitors would give some indication why they have remained unbeaten in the league to date.

They put together their best passage of play in the opening 20 minutes of the second period and put Leamington under intense pressure. During this early surge their forwards suddenly found some fluency, which had eluded them in the first half, and they managed to unlock the home defence and score a converted try. Then Leamington, uncharacteristically, lost ball in the line-out and gave the visitors a further chance, which they gratefully accepted to hit home another try.

Earland kept his side within touching distance of the visitors with a penalty goal and then Mark Baldwin got the Leamington supporters cheering with one of his trade mark, “ghosting runs”, which almost brought reward.

Leamington were doing their utmost to get back on terms with the opposition and in doing so, left the ”Back door” open and fell to the counter-attack and conceded a final, unconverted score.

Full Time: 8 25

Next week Leamington continue league duty with a trip to Old Leamingtonians, kick-off 3.00pm.