Leamington fail to handle the pace of Newbold

Leamington brought the curtain down on their Midlands Two West (South) campaign with a defeat at Newbold, who still had an outside chance of a place in the end-of-term promotion play-offs.

Although Spa started the game at high tempo, they went behind to a converted score after losing possession in their 22 and falling foul of Newbold’s pace on the wing.

Centre John Holland then turned up the pressure on the hosts with a lightning 60-metre break. Adam Preece was in support but was unable to shake off the attentions of the regrouped defenders.

Spa reduced the deficit with a penalty goal from Patrick Northover. Then, as Newbold tried to break out of defence, Alex Carroll intercepted a loose pass and raced in between the posts for a superb score which Northover converted.

Against a Newbold side with everything to play for, Spa were looking very strong, with the pack dealing with Newbold’s robust forwards in the scrum and Craig Smith and Paul Troman taking clean lineout ball to provide ample possession.

However, the hosts had plenty of pace in their back division and scored three tries in quick succession to ruin Spa’s earlier good work and establish a 26-10 half-time lead.

Spa were lucky not to concede further points in the opening moments of the second period as Newbold broke out of defence and raced down the nearside flank. However, Smith was alert to the danger and produced a superb try-saving tackle.

After this turbulent start, Spa responded with promising runs from Johnny Robertson, Simon Mallard and Troman.

They were unable to gain any reward for their endeavour, however, and Newbold made them pay with a further try to put the result out of doubt.

Spa were unlucky to see Preece’s pass adjudged forward with the line at their mercy, but they made no mistake minutes later with an identcial move releasing Carroll for a try in the corner.