LEAMINGTON tasted a third successive defeat away at home to newly promoted Southam in the Midland 2 West (South) as the search for an elusive second win to kick-start their campaign continues.
It was an opening half-hour to forget for Leamington as the home side struggled to mount any semblance of an attack in the first part of the match.
Southam were on the scoresheet as early as the fourth minute, as Tom Grimes, grandson of Leamington stalwart, Tony Grimes, took possession, drew in the home defence before slipping a neat pass to his wing, who raced in for the try.
The visitors went further ahead with another unconverted score on 13 minutes but Leamington cut the deficit to three points with a well take try.
Southam gave away a penalty deep in their half and the quick-thinking Craig Smith took possession, broke through three tackles and dived over to get his side back in to contention. When Jewitt nailed the conversion it looked as though the home side were back in business.
However, the restart brought more problems for the hosts. Craig Smith fielded the drop out ball cleanly and set it up for what would normally be a simple clearance. Disappointingly though for Leamington, as the ball was moved inside, a mis-field gave Southam possession and the easiest of chances to increase their lead.
The hosts were very much still in the match trailing by just ten points at the break but Southam were able to extend their lead with an early second half try in the corner.
Whilst certainly not the restart Leamington wanted, they did set about forming a positive response but the Leamington pack were kept out by some superb defensive work from Southam.
Scott Peters nearly got over the line but he was stopped only by a last ditch, try-saving tackle.
The introduction of Peter Blunt had steadied the ship and Leamington were now mounting quality attacks and playing to somewhere near their capabilities.
Importantly, they forced another score after capitalising on their possession as skipper Craig Smith did just enough to force his way over and Jewitt coolly slotted over the conversion to set up an eight point gap entering the last 15 minutes.
Leamington had their fair share of possession of play and with the forwards had more control but Southam remained resolute in defence and they also still had more to show in attack.
A swift passage of play opened up the Leamington defence and allowed another score in the corner and another late try allowed Southam to steal the win 14-34.
This Saturday Leamington give up league duty for a return of Cup rugby and host Olney (3pm).
