Classy Spa bounce back in fine style

07 October 2009

Leamington 43 Walsall 10
HIGH-flying Leamington moved back joint top of the Midlands One West table after showing their class and flair in front of a big crowd at Moorefields on Saturday.
The fit, well trained, professionally coached and managed squad have certainly made an excellent start to the campaign and the strength in depth, which has been absent in previous years, could prove decisive as the season progresses.
Walsall caught everyone’s attention early on, as they hit Spa with a barrage of attacks but “Patch” Northover and Jim Robertson produced some fine clearance kicks out of defence.
Spa opened the scoring after 17 minutes when deft handling between Pete Blunt, Matt Cooper and prop Terry Curran was followed by an exquisite piece of individual skill from fly-half Tom Secher who spotted a gap in the Walsall defence and glided through it at pace, to score a try which Robertson converted.
The lead was increased with a well worked move started by the pack. Alan Roberts and prop Marcus Pask worked the ball to Curran and he released Robertson who linked intelligently with Matt Cooper who raced over.
Robertson added the conversion and Spa went further ahead as Alex Carroll set up Secher who crashed over at pace in the corner for his second try.
Just before the interval Spa lost two men to the sin-bin and Walsall took advantage score a converted try which reduced the deficit to 19-7
The visitors added a penalty early in the second half but the Moorefield men responded with another sparkling try from Ben Pirie who sold an outrageous dummy to the Walsall defenders and set off on a sprint that took him over the line.
Robertson’s boot added the extras and the back row forward claimed his second try shortly after, following some creative play from Carroll and Cooper.
A stray pass was intercepted by the alert John Raby who raced the length of the pitch. An unfortunate loss of footing enabled the home defence to close in, but the winger found stylish centre Tom Williams who charged over.
Spa sealed victory with Carroll, Cooper, Secher and Blunt involved in a move which led to Williams going over for his second try which Northover converted.
Spa travel to fellow joint leaders Bournville this Saturday.
Leamington Minis had their first outing this season which saw excellent results against Kenilworth, Daventry and Harbury.
The U8s finished runners-up after being edged out 7-6 by Kenilworth (Cameron Mitchell 3, Ollie Milner 2. Robbie Foster). They previously beat Daventry 4-3 (Cameron Mitchell 2, Ollie Milner, Drew Sinnott) and Harbury 3-2 (Robbie Foster, Xavier Adkins, Drew Sinnott).
The under 9s were joint winners after beating Harbury 2-1 (Emil and Henry), before drawing 1-1 against both Daventry (Cullum) and Kenilworth(Frazer).
The under 10s were also runners-up after beating Harbury 10-5 (Lewis Jackson, Jordan Edwards) and Daventry 10-5 (Charlie Barkway, Joel Sinnott) but they lost 15-5 to Kenilworth (Charlie Barkway).
The under 11s won their age group after three victories over Kenilworth 2-0 (Charlie Stevens, George Morley), Daventry 1-0 (Harvey Innocent) and Harbury 3-0 (Cjharlie Stevens 2, George Morley).
Spa under 15s ran out 27-17 winners against OLs with Charlie Gilkes and Tom Ley scoring tries which were converted by Rich McKowen. Alex Ashington and captain Mark Lennon were very strong in the loose, while Sholto Toner and Sam Ackers were joint players of the match.

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