Leamington save their best form for the cup

Leamington hit 2011 running with a competent display against Berkswell & Balsall in the Warwickshire Cup.

Weather-enforced disruptions meant Spa had not played since December 11 when they had put in their best display of the season at Worcester Wanderers. But despite the time lapse, the home side were able to maintain their momentum, hitting Bs with five tries.

The visitors opened the scoring with an early penalty goal and shortly after full-back John Raby had to pull off a try-saving tackle on the far wing to prevent further inroads.

As Leamington caught breath, lock Simon Harry hit back with a strong run and when Berkswell conceded a penalty, Simon Tyler slotted home to allow Spa to draw level.

Matt Cooper’s return from injury has coincided with Leamington’s upturn in form and the young wing- forward was soon making his mark with some determined running. He was instrumental in Spa’s first try, winning the ball and setting Simon Magill off on a charge up field. As the defence closed in on the winger, he slipped a pass to fly-half Simon Dudley who, with work to do, raced in to finish off a fine move. Tyler added the conversion.

The visitors’ robust pack then hit back, keeping Spa penned in their own 22-metre area for a 15-minute spell. Despite some strong scrummaging by Bs, Leamington’s defence held firm.

The home side then nearly caught their opponents napping on the counter as Northover sent in a clever chip kick which fell inches too far for Raby to latch on to.

Play quickly returned to the Spa 22 and the home side were adjudged to have infringed once too many, with the visitors awarded a penalty try to level the scores.

Shortly before the break, a Patrick Northover penalty restored Leamington’s lead.

The visitors had expanded a lot of energy in the first half and Spa took full advantage of a tiring side after the break.

The home back division is full of enterprise, especially when Northover, Dudley and Alex Carroll are in tandem and this trio orchestrated the demolition.

From an early scrum, Cooper, Dudley and Raby combined to set Mark Baldwin up for a try in the far corner.

Then, from the kick-off, Carroll raced up field, cutting swathes into the visitors’ defence. He was then able to set Magill off on another rampage, which saw several defenders bounce off the strong-running winger. This was just what the home crowd wanted to see and the poor defenders were hopelessly outclassed as Magill thundered over the line for one of the best scores seen at Moorefields for some time.

Spa continued to build up steam and Mark Roden picked up at the base of the scrum and set Gordon Jackson off on one of his trademark direct charges. As the big centre made good ground, Carroll took over and sent Raby in for Spa’s fourth try of the afternoon. Northover added the extras.

Magill scored the final try of the game, touching down after another fine run.