Spalding RFC Under-16s had a superb 57-12 win over Derby on Sunday in round three of the NLD Cup group matches.
Spalding racked up a 38-7 lead at half-time and ran in three further tries in the second half.
A team spokesman said: “A convincing scoreline and some excellent combination and support play should give some confidence after what has so far been a difficult season.
“The bonus point win keeps us in the mix for a semi-final place but we are dependant on other results going our way.”
The scoring got under way after the Spalding pack showed their power in a scrum and with the quick ball provided, Oliver Johnson weaved his way over the line and converted.
Derby were then able to maintain a period of pressure inside the Spalding 22 and strong defence was called for. Tom Birdseye, as ever, led the way, ably assisted by Luke Jones, Corey Lewis and Fraser Leiper while Johnson and JJ Faulkner secured the midfield.
After a stoppage and switch of pitches due to an injury to Harry Wilkinson-Roberts (who went off in an ambulance but is expected to make a full recovery), Castle burst through to score between the posts for Johnson to convert.
Castle soon scored again, but this time the conversion failed.
And from the restart, Hendy scored the bonus point try in the corner.
Spalding were now firing on all cylinders with a dominant pack of forwards and the three-quarters showing forceful running and good support work.
Hendy went over again and the conversion was successful via the post.
Spalding’s Will Fletcher was creating havoc with some powerful running and the rest of the pack were joining in. Both Leiper and Elliot Kulliseid were prominent in the next attack and with play once again inside the Derby 22 the forwards resorted to some close range pick-and-go taking play right up to the line for Lewis to finish it off and Johnson to convert.
Derby were able to secure a deserved converted try before half-time, and another early in the second half.
Spalding were in danger of relaxing and letting their dominance slip but a quick pep talk helped to turn them on again. Whilst the second half did not produce the high scoring of the first, there was some excellent combination play and good positional kicking from Johnson.
With his forwards winning ball at will, Castle was again set up to score between the posts for his hat-trick, again converted by Johnson.
Then a loose clearing kick was gathered by Birdseye to storm in at the corner for another unconverted try.
And when Derby were penalised for offside at a scrum, another combination move resulted in Faulkner forcing his way over for a try under the posts for Johnson to convert.
