Blunt introduction inspires Spa

After the previous week’s positive display, Spa went to Old Laurentians in confident mood and gained a deserved victory despite not scoring the match-winning try until five minutes from time.

Spa showed some fine attacking flair to open the scoring within minutes of the kick-off.

The visitors’ forwards rumbled up field and, as the ball was made available, Leigh Cleary and Alex Carroll exchanged quick passes to allow Adam Preece the space to collect the ball at speed and crash over for an unconverted try.

However, the hosts drew level in the 22nd minute with an unconverted try and continued to force Leamington on to the back foot.

The visiting front five proved up to the task with some excellent tackling and scrummaging and Spa eventually broke the stranglehold with another well-worked score.

Preece made ground up the far wing with a superbly judged chip and chase before Simon Dudley combined with Mark Warrilow to release Steve Hersey on the charge. The big forward fended off a couple of defenders and bulldozed his way over, with Simon Tyler adding the conversion.

As the half drew to a close, Spa conceded a penalty near their line and the home side took full advantage with a converted score to make it 12-12 at the break.

The home side had enjoyed the territorial advantage in the first half, but this was to change after the interval as Spa moved up a gear, with the introduction of Peter Blunt givng their play another dimension.

They had to wait until five minutes from time for the crucial score, though.

Spa surged into OLs’ 22, with their forwards fashioning another massive effort to drive over and allow Blunt to touch down. Patrick Northover added the extras.