Spartans dispatched in convincing win (From Ledbury Reporter)

Spartans dispatched in convincing win

1:39pm Friday 18th April 2008

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LEDBURY 1sts 46, SPARTANS 1sts 10.

LEDBURY go into tomorrow's league-deciding clash buoyed by a crushing seven-try defeat of Spartans.

The Ross Road outfit closed their home league campaign by dispatching of reigning champions Spartans through tries from Leo Lockwood, Jock Welch and Luke White.

An early flurry of attacking play saw in-form Ledbury lead by only 13 points to three at the break last Saturday, but they had begun to dominate in crucial areas of the game.

Spartans' powerful pack of forwards had caused some early problems for the Ledbury scrum and the strong wind made it difficult to gain good line-out possession, but with the boost of an early try by James Handley, Ledbury created a number of chances to extend their lead.

Centre Leo Lockwood crashed over after 34 minutes and this was followed by an exchange of penalties, with Luke White slotting over one for Ledbury.

Anticipating Spartans' tactics, Ledbury took every opportunity to run the ball and with fly-half Bruce Ruthven controlling the game tactically, their adventurous play was rewarded by three tries in 10 minutes.

The first was scored by James Handley after 46 minutes.

This was followed by a forward drive leading to in-form hooker Jock Welch's eighth try of the season and then another for young scrum-half Peter Wood.

Two conversions by White followed to put his side out of sight with the score at 32-3.

Spartans were restricted to one converted try in this mauling, after being constantly unable to breakthrough Ledbury's outstanding midfield defence of Ruthven, Lockwood and Jack Wilesmith.

A third try for Handley followed, then a second for Lockwood when he anticipated a long midfield pass from Spartans and ran some 60 metres after intercepting.

Both tries were converted by White to leave Ledbury as convincing winners going into their vital last game.

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