Leamington are off the pace

Leamington were unable to cope with the pace and incision of their hosts as they slipped to their 24th Midlands One West defeat of the season.

Leamington began in brisk style and kept their hosts firmly penned in the home half for the opening 15 minutes. However, with the visitors in the driving seat, they conceded the game’s first try when the Old Halesonians right-wing picked up a loose ball just outside his 22 and showed blistering pace to race downfield and score under the posts.

A second converted try quickly followed before Leamington responded with Simon Tyler held up just short of the line after a strong run.

Halesonians were keen to get the ball out to wings and two more tries followed before Leamington got on the board just short of half-time, Ben Ashmore crashing over after a Patrick Northover pass.

Halesonians were first to show in the second half and some slick play wrong-footed Spa’s defence, with the converted try putting the hosts 33-7 ahead.

Spa’s forwards were equal to the heavier home pack throughout, the visitors were finding it difficult to live with the incisive Halesonians play, which stretched their lead to 33 points thanks to another converted score.

Spa were still trying to show some flair and in one of the best moves of the afternoon, Northover and Ben Ashmore combined to send Alex Carroll off on a surge upfield. As defenders closed in, he slipped a pass to the supporting Magill, who raced in to score under the posts. Tyler added maximum points.

Halesonians had a couple of scores left in their repertoire, but in one last act of defiance, the Spa pack, defending a scrum in their 22, produced a massive effort to win the ball against the head.