Berkswell & Balsall 7 Leamington 29

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On a ground that has not been friendly to Leamington in recent years, Spa produced a flawless second half performance to outwit, outplay and out score the hosts and claim a remarkable victory, against numerous obstacles.

Leamington had to cope with a pre-match injury to Centre and playmaker, Freddie Spencer and then lost influential Fly-Half, Brad James, early on in the game, all of which damaged the teams momentum. The hosts were quick to try to capitalise on these setbacks and despite playing uphill in the first period, they put together a series of attacks, which Leamington did well to hold off. Defiant defending was the order of the day in these opening exchanges and Leamington were up to the task, which involved some sterling work in the scrum and a try saving tackle, with the scoreline begging.

It was midway through the half before Leamington could get some form of attack in place, however, when they did start to click, the effect was instant. A run from Gareth Shuttleworth got good field placement and the Leamington Pack were able to set up a series of "pick and drives", ultimately winning a penalty near the hosts try line. Scrum-Half, Sam Russell, was alert to the situation, taking a quick tap before freeing Hooker, Ben Edwards, who was able to force his way through for a try. Full Back, Conor Chamberlain, added the conversion.

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Although the hosts reacted immediately with a converted try of their own, as the half drew to a close, Leamington finally engineered a series of positive attacks to try to use the undoubted slope advantage. During this period, Jake Dallyn and Nathan Batchelor linked to create a sublime opening for their Backline to use, only to see the final pass go astray.

Rugby ball photo by Miguel Marimon on PexelsRugby ball photo by Miguel Marimon on Pexels
Rugby ball photo by Miguel Marimon on Pexels

Half Time: 7 - 7

Uncannily, Leamington turned around at half time, facing a situation that they had encountered many times at this venue i.e. having to play up a formidable slope and potentially, not have enough points in the Bank from the first period.

The visitors did, however, take full advantage of an early penalty, which the eloquent footed Chamberlain slotted without fuss. Leamington then began to find an energy and flow that had been absent from their first half performance.

From the restart, following Chamberlain's penalty, Nathan Batchelor, who throughout was on a one man mission to halt any Berkswell & Balsall attack, claimed possession and forced his way upfield. The ball was set and then worked over to the nearside flank, in front of the vociferous, home support. Ben Edwards and winger, Louis Harvey, exchanged quick passes before Shuttleworth took over, breaking away at speed. As the Wing Forward was about to be tackled, he sent through a well thought-out kick, which Harvey latched on to, gathered superbly and raced in to score. Chamberlain duly obliged with the conversion.

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The situation that the hosts were now facing was certainly not the one they had envisaged at half time, having the advantage now of the massive slope to the far corner. Winger, Kofi Miller, brought off a superb tackle on the far side flank, to thwart one promising home attack and despite further attempts to break down the Spa defence, they were met with uncompromising defending.

Although a ten point advantage was useful, there was certainly no room for complacency and Leamington were keen to improve on the score, which they did with aplomb. Season newcomer, Jake Dallyn, had already caused mayhem in the home defence with some strong runs, however, following more good work from Batchelor, he found himself some thirty metres out, ball in hand and only a handful of defenders in his way! Undeterred, the formidable Second Row brushed aside all attempts to stop his flow and raced up the slope and scored a sublime try. Chamberlain was once again in place to claim the extras.

The game still had more to offer the away supporters, who were enjoying their squads incredible display. Miller and Sam Russell were quick to move the ball up the far side wing and as support followed, it was livewire, Ben Edwards who stole in at the corner, to claim the all-important, bonus winning, fourth try.

The hosts support were, to say the least, somewhat disappointed at their teams dismal second half performance. They had been completely overrun by a Leamington side that had resolutely set about the task at hand, put aside all potential difficulties and used their undoubted skills and determination to mastermind a very convincing victory. Skipper, Joe Kinghorn and Coaches, Alex Carroll and Phil Evans, deserve full congratulations.

Full Time: 7 - 29

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