Season-end is relief for Leamington

OLD LAURENTIANS71

Ravaged by injuries and unavailability, Leamington were found wanting against an Old Laurentians side who still find themselves in a relegation dogfight.

The Spa management and coaching staff have been unable to field the same team in consecutive weeks and the lack of continuity has been a major factor in their relegation to Midlands Two West.

But while the setback is disappointing, it should at least give some breathing space to regroup and get back to winning ways.

Leamington had to dig deep from the outset to try to keep OLs from scoring and were lucky to escape going behind as two penalty goal attempts were fluffed.

In the 18th minute, however, with Spa now under intense pressure, OLs picked up from the base of the scrum and forced their way over for a converted score.

This opened the floodgates, allowing them to amass 38 points by half-time.

The large Moorefields crowd had to wait until the second half before they saw some sparkle from the home side.

Lewis Kelsey wrestled the ball free for Patrick Northover to send John Holland racing up the far wing.

Northover was also the link-man who set Alex Sharman up for a charge close to the OLs line, which had to be well defended.

But in between these enterprising moments, the opposition were adding to their points tally.

Spa eventually got on the scoresheet as Alex Carroll jinked over the line. But this was to be Spa’s only entry on the scorecard.