Spa finally clinch first victory

Leamington were finally rewarded for a string of impressive recent performances when they gained their first Midland One West win of the season.

The home side started the game at pace and used the ball wisely to put early pressure on Banbury.

A direct run from centre Ross Bayston punched a hole in the visitors’ defence and with Leamington swarming forward in supoprt, Alex Carroll was able to free Nathan Earland for a sprint to the line. Patrick Northover added the conversion.

Following the score, Banbury’s forwards began to impose themselves on the game and subjected the home side to a spell of pressure.

However, Spa caught them napping with a superb counter. Alex Carroll broke out of his own 22 before sending a kick to the far touchline which Earland collected to score his second try of the half.

The home side were once again forced to demonstrate their defensive resilience as Banbury sought a way back into the game.

But it was to be Spa who had the last word of the half, Adam Preece touching down to give Leamington a 17-0 interval lead.

The Banbury forwards were in no mood to give in gracefully, and set about putting Spa under intense pressure after the break.

They did eventually crack the resolute Spa defence, narrowing the deficit to ten with a converted score.

The visitors followed this up with more determined play and Spa had to do some more stout defending to keep them at bay.

Northover stopped one promising move with an ankle tap and Simon Dudley came up with the goods to halt another attack as Leamington held on for a morale-boosting success.