Another impressive performance....

Tom Secher and Lewis Kelsey created the gap for Preece to charge in under the posts

6th March 2010 – Leamington v Dudley Kingswinford

Leamington put on another impressive performance against one of the league’s top four sides and narrowly missed out on the points. If the squad can keep intact and free from further injury problems, then some opposing team soon will bear the brunt of the cutting edge power of Spa’s attack.
Earlier in the season Spa had suffered a heavy defeat at Dudley and the opposition certainly have a powerful side; a robust pack of forwards and a clever set of backs, which were keen to run with the ball. In the first few moments of the game, Spa’s Adam Preece had to pull off a tackle to halt the first of many Dudley attacks.
During the first half, Spa conceded a horrendous penalty count against, with one alert spectator putting the number at fourteen. It was therefore inevitable that the visitors should take the lead from one of these misdemeanours. However, on twenty minutes Spa hit back in spectacular fashion. The ever impressive wing, Simon Dudley, carved out the opening with a darting run down the flank. Peter Blunt carried the move on and was able to spread the ball out to Spa’s backline. Clever interplay in midfield between Tom Secher and Lewis Kelsey created the gap for Preece to charge in under the posts. Jim Robertson nailed the conversion.
The Dudley team certainly have quality in the side; however all of their enterprise was being met by a solid response from Spa. The “Moorefields” men’s defence was impeccable and when the visitors broke clear, Kelsey, Danny Ruyssevelt or Blunt would be snapping at the heels to break the move down. This highly effective back-row combination was becoming a thorn in the Dudley side.
In the set pieces, Spa’s solid scrum held firm, a testament to the tireless effort put in by the front five, led superbly by Nick Maxwell.
Spa’s back line was being given plenty of opportunity to express themselves, thus giving the visitors an uneasy afternoon at times. Centre, Alex Carroll, is always looking to unlock defences through his style of combining pace with quick handling and ingenuity. His co-partner, Gordon Jackson, prefers the more direct route and his charging runs through the centre were a constant cause of concern to the visitors.
Spa found themselves behind following a converted try. However, by half time they were level through a Jim Robertson penalty.
Half time: 10 – 10
Five minutes into the second half, Leamington fell behind to another converted try. Then further damage was incurred through a penalty goal.
Despite this set back, Spa got on with the job in hand and continued to chip away at the visitors. Although, they still had plenty of defending of their own to do, as Dudley are not fourth in the league for no reason.
The big “Moorefields” crowd were being given excellent entertainment as first Blunt and Kelsey combined from the scrum to hit back. Then Carroll set off on a race down the wing to make for more worrying times for the visitors.
Jim Robertson reduced the arrears with a penalty. Then Spa hit Dudley with another well worked try from a set piece. Spa engineered the ball deep into Dudley’s half and won a line-out. Alan Roberts ripped the ball out of the air and slipped it to Peter Blunt, who thundered over. Jim Robertson was just off target with the conversion. At 18 – 20, Spa were turning the screw and were unlucky not to take the lead as Robertson was just short with a long range penalty attempt.
It was no surprise which team was more grateful to hear the final whistle, as Dudley were hanging on by a thread at the end.
Full time: 18 – 20
Next week, Leamington travel to Whitchurch for their latest league encounter, kick-off 3.00pm.