Local rivals and promotion favourites Stratford-upon-Avon provided Leamington with a considerably sterner examination at Moorefields, and while the final 10–45 scoreline belonged comfortably to the visitors, there was plenty in Leamington’s performance to provide encouragement as the new campaign continues.

The opening 20 minutes were an evenly matched affair, with both sides showing glimpses of attacking promise without managing to trouble the scoreboard.

It was Stratford who eventually began to turn the screw. Sustained pressure pinned Leamington inside their own 22, but the home defence proved stubborn. It took seven increasingly belligerent phases from the visitors before the resistance was finally broken for the opening try.

Stratford were soon back in Leamington territory and again the Spa defence initially stood firm. This time, however, the visitors turned to their forwards and a powerful driving maul proved decisive. Leamington’s attempts to halt its progress also saw Rich Mullis dispatched to the sin bin and Stratford had doubled their advantage to 0–10.

In possession Leamington were finding themselves under pressure from a Stratford defence that was both fast and physical, but when the home side managed to generate quicker ball there were signs of what they could offer.

Powerful carries from Jack Ellis and Luke Groves made dents through the middle, while McKowen and Freddie Spencer in the centres increasingly challenged the wider channels. For a spell Leamington began to apply some pressure of their own inside the Stratford 22, only for a well-taken mark from a chip ahead to finally release the visitors from their defensive duties.

Having had a taste of Leamington on the front foot, Stratford appeared understandably keen to return proceedings to the other end of the field.

A strong tackle on the wing, however, gave Leamington lineout possession and from there the home side surged forward once more. Ethan Roberts encouraged Louis Harvey to stretch his legs for the first time before a clever kick ahead from Chris John caused chaos in the Stratford 22.

Gareth Shuttleworth came agonisingly close to taking advantage before Leamington recycled possession. Parsons spread the play and Harvey, having recovered his own chip ahead, was finally hauled down just inches short of the line.

It was Leamington’s best spell of the half, but Stratford’s defence survived and the visitors went into the interval with their 10-point advantage intact at 0–10.

If the first half had demonstrated Leamington’s ability to compete with one of the league’s fancied sides, the opening exchanges of the second showed precisely why Stratford carry that billing.

The visitors emerged at considerable pace. Breaks in the wider channels twice opened up the Leamington defence and two converted tries in quick succession suddenly stretched the score to 0–24.

Leamington, to their credit, responded rather than retreating into their shell.

A quickly taken tap from Ben Parsons found the ever-willing Spencer, who carried strongly before producing the offload to McKowen. The centre finished well in the corner to give Leamington a deserved first score and reduce the deficit to 5–24.

Unfortunately, Stratford’s response was immediate.

A moment of individual brilliance saw one of the visitors break through the middle from halfway and race clear for another score. That was followed by a rather more muscular effort as Stratford again demonstrated that their threat was not confined to the backline.

At 5–38, Leamington could easily have settled for damage limitation. Instead they continued looking for opportunities to play.

Josh Tokely provided the opening, slipping a clever ball back inside to Harvey, whose running had threatened the visitors throughout the afternoon. Harvey needed no second invitation and crossed for Leamington’s second try.

At 10–38 the result was beyond the home side, but there remained plenty of endeavour on both sides before Stratford found one final score to complete a 10–45 victory.

The margin perhaps disguises just how competitive Leamington had been for significant periods, particularly during a first half in which the visitors were restricted to only two scores.

Ultimately Stratford possessed greater power, pace and ruthlessness when their opportunities arrived, and on this evidence their pre-season billing as promotion contenders appears well founded.

For Leamington, though, this represented another useful step forward. Against stronger opposition they produced an improved showing, defended with determination and, importantly, continued trying to play when the scoreboard had moved against them.

There remains plenty to work on, but there was also enough at Moorefields to suggest that this developing Leamington side has plenty more to offer.