Spa end the year with a flourish

Leamington rounded off their 2011 league campaign with a comprehensive Midlands Two West (South) victory over rock-bottom Cheltenham North to move firmly into the promotion picture.

Although up against a big Cheltenham side, Spa’s forwards, led in exemplary fashion by skipper Nick Maxwell, completely overwhelmed the home pack.

Alex Carroll was the first Spa player to exploit the slope advantage with a couple of probing kicks down the far touch.

After a Chris Dixon break led to a scrum close to the Cheltenham line, Maxwell, Terry Curran and George Eastham crushed the life out of the home front row, allowing number eight Darren Fowler to steer the ball over the line. Unable to contain his composure, the Cheltenham blindside wing forward stuck in an unwelcome boot and gave the referee little option other than to award a penalty try. Patrick Northover clipped over the conversion.

From the restart, Northover and then Danny Ruysevelt put in a couple of timely tackles to stem a positive response from the home side.

The momentum swung again in Spa’s favour and centres Tom Daplyn and Simon Dudley began to test the home side with some quality runs.

With the home side attacking up the slope, they were finding it difficult to penetrate into Spa territory and when they did, they were met with a defiant defence.

Curran and Eastham were content to match muscle with muscle when the home forwards came knocking and locks Simon Harry and Craig Smith put in some big hits at crucial times to keep the Cheltenham pack quiet.

More Spa pressure ensued and Maxwell took three balls against the head, but Leamington failed to capitalise on their advantage and had to be content with a seven-point lead at the interval.

Cheltenham had the best possible start to the second half with a clever break down the nearside flank and a score in the corner. The home fly-half then sent over a glorious conversion from the touchline to allow his side to draw level.

Spa responded in a calm manner. Carroll put in a fine touch kick to put pressure on the home side and from the resultant line-out, Cheltenham cleared their line, but with no great distance. This allowed Leamington to win the ball and drive forcefully towards the tryline. There was to be no mistake this time as Curran forced his way over to put Spa ahead again.

From the restart, Spa claimed the ball and sent it along the backline to Dudley, who chipped in a testing kick up the far wing. Richard Staff won the race to the ball and fed the supporting Daplyn, who cantered over to score an unconverted try and open up a ten-point cushion.

As the game entered its final stages, Spa added a final bonus-point score.

Awarded a penalty, Spa opted against taking the simple three points and kicked for a lineout. They then secured possession to set up a rolling maul, with Carroll gratefully accepting the ball and charging over to crown a fine individual performance.