DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV saw victory, and ultimately their 100 per cent record, snatched from them as they went down 24-18 to Leamington at the Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground.

Julian Bailey's side fought valiantly to claw their way back from 17-6 behind to lead by two points with two minutes left last Saturday before succumbing to a late try.

And the director of rugby was still upbeat despite defeat.

"If there ever was a game of two halves this was it," Bailey said. "We gave them too much respect and decided not to play our normal game. It was a really good performance in the second half. It's disappointing but they can take a lot from it."

Bailey also praised the work and speed of Jamie Faulkener, who ran in tow more tries.

"I am very pleased with his form this season," he added. "He is looking very sharp and taking his chances."

The visitors put Droitwich under immediate pressure, resulting in an early unconverted try before Spa hit back with a well struck 40-metre penalty by fly half Matt Blackmore.

More Leamington pressure created another score before the break.

In the second half Droitwich found things difficult with the large and very well organised Leamington pack winning the majority of balls.

Despite this Spa tackled well and pulled back the deficit with another Blackmore penalty, although a sweeping move by the visitors was rewarded with a converted try.

With 15 minutes remaining and trailing 17-6 Droitwich seemed to be dead and buried, but they showed great character by upping the tempo and producing their best rugby of the match.

Phil Horton charged at the defence with support from Nick Godfrey and Jon Andrews. The ball was spun wide to Faulkener who beat two men to score in the corner. Blackmore added the difficult conversion.

The hosts pressed again and managed to force Leamington back into their 22-metre area. A quick ball saw Andrews feed Mike Gunston on the blind side who in turn released Faulkener to again squeeze in at the corner and give his side the lead with only two minutes to go.

Leamington launched one last assault, and when Droitwich failed to clear their lines full back Dan Law burst up the middle to score and snatch the game from Droitwich.

DROITWICH SPA

Cottrell, Faulkener, Childs, Sheen (sub Mountjoy 70 mins), Bolten, Blackmore, Gunston, Garfield, Irwin, Spencer (sub Goddard 65 mins), Way, Craig, Horton (sub Smith 70 mins), Godfrey, Andrews.