Droitwich Spa 12, Leamington 32

YOUTHFUL Droitwich Spa found an impressive Leamington side too hot to handle at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial ground.

In near perfect conditions, the visitors from Warwickshire started on the front foot and dominated the first 20 minutes of play.

Deep in the home side’s 22 metre area, Leamington set up a drive to the try line and Daniel Ruyssevelt touched down in the corner.

Droitwich needed a lastditch intervention to deny Ruyssevelt another score but he bagged Leamington’s second when he raced down the wing moments later.

It was well into the second period of the half before Droitwich could mount any attacks and it was for once Leamington who had to soak up some pressure.

This attacking spell continued and the momentum was with the home side, and their perseverance finally paid off as forwards Alex Parker and James Thomas combined well to supply the backs, with clever play by Ben Cottrell and Gregor McLeod forcing an overlap, which they took full advantage of for Rob Poke to flop over under the posts.

Sean Walker added the conversion.

Leamington now had a strong wind in their favour and used it throughout the final period of the half.

Against the wind, it was going to be down to Droitwich to have to try to turn the tables and, as the half progressed, it was clear the hosts had an uphill task ahead of them.

Spa came up against some resolute Leamington tackling when they forced their way into the visitors half and found it hard to penetrate the visiting defence.

Leamington increased their lead with a well worked try from Jamie Harrison.

Jon Holland added another try as the away side took a 22-7 lead into the break.

Substitute Mark Warrilow then crashed over for another score but the hosts found the energy to hit back at Leamington.

They bagged a try through Gregor Mcleod. This was Droitwich’s last score of the afternoon and they succumbed to a final try by Leamington, when Harrison touched down to seal a Leamington bonus point.

Droitwich go to Malvern in the Midlands Division Two West (South) on Saturday (3pm ko).