Rugby Union
Late try sinks Spa

Leamington 16 Shipston-on-Stour 21

A LATE converted try sentenced Leamington to a disappointing Midlands Two West (South) defeat at Moorefields.

The clash was switched as Shipston had been hit by flooding and both sides produced an entertaining game in difficult conditions.

Tom Jewitt kicked Spa into a third minute lead with a well struck penalty, while Gavin Grant and John Holland upped the pressure on the visitors with two surging runs.

Jewitt then turned defender to clear his lines with a long range touch kick but Shipston, courtesy of their mobile pack, got their noses in front with a well worked, converted try.

Spa responded almost immediately as Jewitt slotted over his second penalty to reduce the arrears.

The home side nearly stole the lead with a piece of magic from Alex Carroll who sent out a massive kick to the nearside wing, which dropped between two defenders.

With the ball free, John Raby slid in to claim possession and raced off down the flank but his timely intervention was just in touch and play was brought back for a lineout.

Leamington were having the better of play and their forwards began to turn the screw. Tom Greevy and Craig Smith were once again dominant in the lineout and the scrum, despite the greasy surface, was holding firm.

Shipston were unable to cope with the continuous pressure and conceded several penalties in succession forcing the referee to award a penalty try to which Jewitt added the extras.

Spa, yet again, failed to press home their advantage and it proved costly as Shipston scored another converted try.

Jewitt was in good form and put Spa back in front just before the break by kicking a third penalty of the afternoon.

Spa began the second half in confident mood and their forwards put in several surging drives that Shipston had difficulty in defending.

Unfortunately Spa were unable to transfer pressure into points which let Shipston off the hook.

The visitors took full advantage and produced some clever forward play of their own.

Spa found themselves having to perform some last ditch defending and Jewitt’s boot alleviated the first onslaught.

From the resulting lineout, Greevy claimed clean ball and once again Jewitt cleared the danger.

The visitors did, however, claim a converted try in the closing stages to which Spa had no answer.

Spa, sponsored by INFOR, have no fixture this weekend and return to league action with a trip to Kidderminster on Saturday, December 8.

Leamington’s Craig Smith stops the Shipston full back in his tracks during Saturday’s Midlands Two West (South) clash at Moorefields on Saturday. Photo supplied by Gina Ruyssevelt. (s)

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