A breezy autumnal afternoon in Berkswell and or Balsall (it turns out the ground is actually in Kenilworth) provided the setting for Leamington’s latest attempt to secure their first league victory of the campaign, and with the hosts traditionally offering little in the way of hospitality on the field, the Spa side knew that nothing would come easily.
Leamington, however, began with considerable purpose.
Twice inside the opening five minutes, promising attacks came to grief with the final pass going astray. Firstly, Sam Russell and Gareth Shuttleworth combined to make significant ground, before Jamie Loffman and Luke Groves repeated the exercise, only for the finishing touches to elude their colleagues.
The home side’s powerful scrum initially provided some relief, earning a couple of penalties to escape their own 22, but Leamington’s well-organised defence and some uncompromising tackling ensured that Berkswell remained largely confined to their own half.
After twelve minutes, the visitors’ superiority finally told, and in some style.
An aimless kick down the middle of the park was gathered by Brad James, who moved the ball to Freddie Spencer. Celebrating his 50th cap for Leamington, Spencer set off on a typically belligerent charge. Having covered twenty metres, Spencer produced a delightful chicken-wing offload to Rich McKowen before continuing his run to collect the return pass ten metres from the line and complete a splendid opening score.
Josh Tokley added the conversion and Leamington led 0–7.
Five minutes later, however, the visitors were reminded that ambition must occasionally be tempered with discretion.
Attempting to run their way out of their own 22, Leamington fluffed their lines and invited Berkswell to apply pressure. The home forwards needed little encouragement and, making full use of their considerable bulk, eventually rumbled over from a driving maul. The conversion went astray and Leamington’s advantage had been reduced to 5–7.
If the setback had unsettled the visitors, they were certainly not inclined to show it.
Straight from the restart, Leamington were back on the offensive, forcing errors from the home side. A misfiring Berkswell lineout around halfway was gratefully accepted by Gareth Shuttleworth, who immediately set off upfield.
With his first intended recipient covered on the outside, Shuttleworth had the presence of mind to commit another defender before slipping a perfectly judged pass inside to Ben Parsons, who was left with the comparatively straightforward task of strolling beneath the posts.
Tokley’s trusty right boot made no mistake and the advantage was restored to 5–14.
Just after the half-hour, Leamington struck again.
A powerful carry from Ollie Boyes forced the home defence into an infringement at the breakdown as they struggled to halt the visitors’ momentum. Rather than settle for a speculative attempt at goal in the blustery conditions, Leamington kicked for the corner.
The resulting lineout was secured, and strong carries from Harness and Loffman drew defenders into the tighter exchanges. With space beginning to appear elsewhere, Spencer and McKowen combined neatly to release Harry Healy through the narrowest of gaps for Leamington’s third try.
Tokley duly added the extras and, at 5–21, the visitors were beginning to enjoy themselves.
There was still time for one more flourish before the interval.
The Berkswell restart fell victim to the wind and, from the resulting scrum on halfway, Groves powered forward before Parsons delivered a lightning-quick pass from the base to Spencer.
The centre carried deep into the home 22, where the relentless Leamington pressure again forced Berkswell into conceding a penalty.
Having suffered at the hands of the home scrum early in proceedings, Leamington’s pack had evidently decided that the balance of power had shifted sufficiently to issue a challenge of their own.
They elected to scrum.
The ensuing sixteen-man pushing contest provided clean possession and Parsons once again found his trusty outside-half. Spencer, perhaps feeling that he had already done sufficient damage by running through people, elected on this occasion to run around them instead, dancing through the defensive line virtually untouched.
Tokley, meanwhile, was enjoying an afternoon with the boot that might have earned him a place amongst his Anfield heroes. His fourth successful conversion from four attempts completed an excellent opening forty minutes.
Half-time: Berkswell & Balsall 5 – Leamington 28.
Whatever was said in the home team huddle during the interval certainly had the desired effect.
Berkswell emerged with renewed vigour and a determination to bring their substantial forward resources to bear. Their attacking play was not always the most fluent, and Leamington’s organised defence initially appeared capable of containing the threat.
Unfortunately, the visitors were increasingly becoming the architects of their own difficulties.
A succession of penalties presented Berkswell with repeated invitations to set up camp in the Leamington 22, and the home side were only too happy to accept.
Twice they made their territorial advantage count, employing their powerful forwards to force their way across from close range. Both tries were converted and suddenly the comfortable-looking interval advantage had been reduced to a rather less reassuring 19–28.
With the momentum having swung firmly towards the hosts, Leamington needed to regain a measure of control.
Ben Parsons provided the spark with a sharp turnover, and some ill-advised backchat from the opposition persuaded the referee to award Leamington a penalty in a highly inviting position, fifteen yards out and directly in front of the posts.
On this occasion, there was to be no adventurous tap, no ambitious kick to the corner and certainly no invitation to another sixteen-man wrestling match.
Instead, common sense prevailed and Tokley was offered the opportunity to add three more points. Having enjoyed an immaculate afternoon from the tee, he was hardly likely to refuse.
The kick sailed over and Leamington had extended their advantage to 19–31.
Berkswell, though, were far from finished.
With the game moving into its closing stages, the home forwards once again worked their way into dangerous territory and another determined short-range effort saw them force their way over the Leamington line.
The conversion was unsuccessful and, at 24–31, what had appeared a comfortable afternoon’s work for the visitors had suddenly become a rather more anxious affair.
Leamington allayed fears of an unlikely draw by seeing the remainder of the game out in the opponents’ 22 and, when the final whistle eventually sounded, it was Leamington who could celebrate a hard-earned 31–24 victory and, importantly, their first five league points of the season.
It had been a contest of two contrasting halves. Leamington’s attacking rugby before the interval had been a joy to watch, with four excellent tries, some outstanding handling and Tokley’s immaculate contribution from the kicking tee providing a commanding lead.
The second period, however, offered a timely reminder that league victories are seldom handed out on a plate, particularly against opponents whose substantial forward resources are capable of making life distinctly uncomfortable.
For now, Leamington can take some satisfaction from an away victory at a notoriously difficult venue, a bonus point in the bag and a first league win that will hopefully provide the springboard for the weeks ahead.
Final score: Berkswell & Balsall 24 – Leamington 31.