Spa crash to unlikely loss (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Spa crash to unlikely loss

8:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Local

Droitwich 13, Leamington 15

DROITWICH failed to punish ill-disciplined Leamington as they slipped to only their fourth defeat of the season in Midlands Two West (South).

The Warwickshire side had a player sent off before half-time and saw several others sin-binned after the break but Spa could not take advantage.

Spa started poorly with several infringements putting them instantly on the back foot.

Despite Leamington missing the resulting penalty kick, they were shortly given another opportunity to take the lead and this time there was no mistake.

Droitwich were reliant on their defence to keep Leamington at bay until new arrival Jimmy Corbett was given the opportunity to score his first try for the club.

Spa were most dangerous on the counter-attack and it was from one move that Corbett was able to cross midway through the first-half. The conversion was missed.

Droitwich then suffered a setback when utility back Matthew Barnes was sent to hospital with suspected knee ligament damage.

Leamington were reduced to 14 men when their hooker was shown a red card for his actions in a melee.

But the dismissal galvanised the visitors and they flew out of the blocks in the second-half, scoring a try under the posts to take a 10-8 lead.

Ryan Handley raced the length of the pitch to touchdown but he missed the conversion.

Leamington then saw two players yellow carded for cynical tackles.

But Droitwich struggled to find their tempo as Leamington did everything possible to break the game up and prevent them from finding any rhythm.

Poor play meant Spa were unable to add to the score and were punished for there own mistakes as Leamington managed to cross in the corner to pull off an unlikely victory.

Spa face a huge game on Saturday as they go to rivals for third place Kidderminster Carolians on Saturday (3pm ko).