Debut double from Peters is too late to save Leamington

Leamington handed league debuts to Scott Peters, Jamie Godfrey and Ollie Evans and it was Peters who took centre stage with two tries in the closing quarter to close the deficit to a point.

However, the visitors’ failure to turn first-half pressure into points ultimately cost them.

The home side opened brightly and put Spa under pressure with a series of quick-fire attacks which were extinguished by a well-placed Patrick Northover kick to touch.

Leamington replied with some fine attacking play, orchestrated by their pack, but were unable to get over the line.

A breakdown in play allowed Kidderminster to get the ball upfield and Jamie Godfrey and then Northover, put in try-saving tackles before the home side took advantage of a penalty award to take the lead.

Tom Jewitt drew Spa level with a well-judged penalty and shortly after, Peter Blunt and Alex Carroll created the smallest of gaps to send Daplyn over in the corner.

Jewitt coolly added the extras and Spa were looking good value.

Although the home side boasted a well-drilled pack of their own, the Spa forwards were in dominant form.

Tom Greevy led the way with another flawless display, solid in the set and always ready to take the game to the hosts.

In the final minutes of the half, Spa allowed Kidderminster too much space and succumbed to an unconverted try and then a penalty goal to go in at the break trailing 11-10.

Spa started the second half positively with Marcus Pask putting in a bone-crunching tackle and Craig Smith producing a mesmeric run, but they failed to create any clear-cut openings in the early skirmishes.

Spa then fell further behind to a converted score and the home side opened up clear daylight with another try.

Northover sparked a brief fightback with a quickly taken penalty which allowed Dan Kane the space to run at the home side and get the ball to Jamie Godfrey who scored in the corner.

However, Kidderminster looked to have killed off the revival as they bulldozed over for another converted score.

Peters then took centre stage, finishing off a tremendous surge from the Spa forwards with the touchdown. Jewitt claimed the conversion.

Then, as the game entered the final minutes, Spa hit the home side with a penetrative move up the nearside flank.

Kidderminster managed to fend off the initial danger but were unable to stop the rampaging Peters powering through under the posts.

Although Jewitt’s boot brought Spa to within one point of the hosts, there was no time left for any further play.