Northover keeps calm to send Spa through

Leamington made full use of home advantage in their Warwickshire Cup quarter-final to edge out a strong Newbold side.

Newbold had the initial benefit of a strong wind gusting down the pitch and used it to good effect to pen Spa in their own quarter for much of the first period.

The visitors missed two penalty-goal attempts before opening the scoring with a try on the half-hour. Spa full-back Nathan Earland put in a superb tackle to avert a clear scoring opportunity. However, the defence were unable to clear the ball and Newbold managed to sneak over.

Six minutes before the interval, Newbold increased their lead to 12 points with a converted score.

With the elements in their favour, Leamington got back into the game with an early second-half try.

Alex Carroll put in a huge clearing kick which was followed up by the tireless Patrick Northover, who harried the Newbold into losing possession. Spa then spread the ball along the back line for John Raby to cut inside and race over.

Newbold quickly re-established their 12-point cushion, pouncing on a Spa breakdown to score in the far corner.

Spa got themselves back into the game with a Northover penalty goal and then, from the resultant restart, Kelsey claimed the ball and set Tom Daplyn off on a mesmerising run upfield. Carroll was on hand to take the young centre’s pass and he quickly fed Earland, who charged over. Northover added the extras to bring Spa to within two points of the visitors.

Newbold continued to press and Preece put in a try-saving tackle to keep Spa’s hopes alive.

As the game entered the final quarter, Spa won a penalty and, despite the mounting pressure, Northover produced a majestic strike to send the ball sailing through the centre of the posts.

Spa still had to survive a couple penalty-goal attempts before the final whistle signalled their place in the last four.