Leamington’s adventure nets them White Trophy

Leamington’s rich vein of form continued into 2012 with a superb victory over Old Laurentians, which enabled them to leapfrog their visitors into third place in Midlands Two West.

The game was also the inaugural match between these two clubs for the Brian White Trophy.

Leamington stalwart White, who died in May last year, had close family links with Old Laurentians and the game was a fitting tribute to his enduring love of the game.

Laurentians had scored wins over in-form Berkswell & Balsall and leaders Barkers Butts in December.

However, their first-half display spoke of a New Year hangover as they were unable to stop a Spa side full of adventure.

Leamington opened the scoring in the eighth minute following a concerted period of pressure.

Richard Staff forced the visitors to to concede a scrum in their own 22 and Patrick Northover secured the ball from his back-row and crossed after a neat dummy.

With Spa doing all the pressing, they increased their lead with a penalty goal from Northover.

Spa continued to dominate proceedings and from a scrum in midfield, number eight Darren Fowler made a dash for the try line and just failed to get the ball away as the defence closed in. However, all was not lost as Laurentians were forced to give away a penalty, which Northover despatched.

On one of Laurentians’ rare forays into Spa’s half, they tried to move the ball along their back line. However Carroll was alert to the situation and intercepted before setting off unmolested to the try line.

Northover added the extras to leave Spa with a healthy 18-point half-time advantage.

After the interval, Old Laurentians produced a display befitting their league position, penning Spa in their own half.

Spa succumbed to a penalty goal and soon after Laurentians’ pack forced their way over for a converted score.

Laurentians’ pacy backline, which had had not been seen in the first period, announced itself with a try in the corner and minutes later, the visitors took the lead with an unconverted try on Spa’s opposite flank.

With the initiative having swung firmly in favour of the visitors, Leamington skipper Nick Maxwell cajoled his pack into producing a massive scrum near the visitors’ line. The front eight walked the ball closer to the line and, with Laurentians having one eye on Northover waiting to pounce, they lost their nerve and hastily kicked at the ball, conceding a simple penalty try.

Northover slotted over the conversion and Spa showed their resolve to run down the clock for the final five minutes.