Leamington get their reward after the break

Leamington returned to league action with a hard-fought win over a well-drilled Upton side whose display belied their position in the lower reaches of Midlands Two West (South).

The hosts started at a high tempo with returning skipper Nick Maxwell leading his forwards in a sustained onslaught on the Upton 22.

Several good chances were spurned before Spa finally got on the scoresheet.

Nathan Earland began a scything run deep in his own half which took him deep into Upton territory before slipping out a crisp pass to Alex Carroll who forced his way over the line.

Spurred on by the score, Spa went back on the attack, with the direct running of their back-row creating openings. However, despite some quality handling and invention, Spa were finding it difficult to add more points.

In the 25th minute, a flat pass from Spa was intercepted by Upton in their own 22 and the visitors raced upfield to score under the posts.

It was the first incursion Upton had made into the opposition half, but the subsequent conversion gave them a two-point lead.

Patrick Northover brought some relief with a well-judged penalty goal to restore Spa’s lead and, with Simon Harry and Craig Smith dominating the line-outs, Northover was able to slot over another for an 11-7 half-time lead.

The scoreline did little to reflect Spa’s territorial dominance, but the hosts went some way to rectifying that with the first points of the second stanza.

The relentless pressure which Upton had been subjected to started to yield penalties and from one of these, Northover caught the Upton defence cold with quick ball to Carroll, who raced through before releasing Tarquin Snell to touch down. Northover added the extras.

With Spa now in the van, they increased their lead through some enterprising play.

Adam Preece made an incisive break up the left flank and was held up just short of the try-line. Spa maintained possession and powered their way across the pitch, where Carroll fizzed out a slick pass to Tom Daplyn who crashed over.

In the dying seconds, a rare Spa lapse allowed Upton to go over for a second converted score.