Dronfield RFC 21 Spalding RFC 27 (agg 33-66)
Jubilant Spalding RFC clinched the NLD Summer Trophy after a super 27-21 win at Dronfield on Saturday.
Having won the first leg of the final 39-12 the previous week, Town’s stellar showing gave them an aggregate victory of 66-33 and ensured that they ended a pandemic-hit season with a trophy.
Spalding were full of confidence and started the game well, pressing rivals Dronfield back with some great kicking.
The hosts held firm, but soon gave away two penalties which were both converted by Connall Mason and gave the Elephants a 6-0 advantage.
Buoyed by their start Spalding attacked down the wing, but possession turned over and a couple of missed tackles lead to Dronfield scoring almost immediately and taking a 7-6 lead.
Emboldened, Dronfield started to establish dominance as they came back into the game, but Town were defensively excellent with Sam Cooke and Ash Anker in particular putting in some great hits.
At the other end, Rob Lucas was rolling back the years and pulling the strings at scrum-half, providing fly-half Willis Ingleby with good ball.
After a penalty to Spalding, Ingleby kicked to the corner and a good take at the lineout by Tom Birdseye saw captain Luke Turner barrel his way over for Town’s first try with Mason converting to put his side 13-7 up.
Dronfield then hit back after a prolonged period in Spalding’s 22 and played a couple of passes through the back line, before cutting back inside to score under the posts for an easy conversion that edged them back into the lead once again.
After half-time Town swept forward and centre Taylor Crowson, side-stepped two players and showed his pace to burn past the home side’s last man for another easily converted try to retake the lead 20-14.
With a home crowd urging them on, Dronfield hit back with another converted score to make it 21-20.
But, with a healthy aggregate advantage and the clock ticking down to full time, the Elephants remained in command.
Indeed, with just seconds remaining Ingleby punted a lovely kick in behind the Dronfield defensive line and left wing
Gav Sharman out-ran the defence to pick the ball up and coast to the try line for Mason to convert, sealing a victory on the day and overall glory.
It was a fine way to end the season for Town, who celebrated a top team showing in style.
Spalding RFC squad: Luke Turner, Sam Cooke, Harry Cole, Connor Lilburn, Ed Williams, Tom Birdseye, Will Shields, Ash Anker, Rob Lucas, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Taylor Crowson, Wilson Crowson, Callum Lewis, Conall Mason, Fabian, Miguel Silva, Dougie Hilton.
