Market Bosworth 46 Spalding 17
Spalding knew they were up for a challenging afternoon at Counties One Midlands East (South) division leaders Market Bosworth but they acquitted themselves well, especially in the first half.
The opening minutes of the game set the tone with Bosworth having a scrum 20 metres out and they immediately pushed Spalding back ten metres,.
The whole of the visitors’ defence was on the back foot and the home team were over the try line on the left wing.
With a good conversion Bosworth were up by seven points after two minutes.
One of Spalding’s surprising strengths of the season has been a solid scrum but the size, power and athleticism of the Bosworth forwards would be a telling factor throughout the afternoon.
Spalding’s shape in defence was good but Bosworth also had confidence to run the ball in open play.
Centres Taylor Crowson and Conall Mason, along with Spalding’s back row of Will Shields, Reece Callaby and young Jack Grundy were all going to have an outstanding afternoon with their determination in the tackle.
However Bosworth’s number three in the front row towered over everybody, weighing in well over 20 stone. He forced his way over the try line for the home side’s second score.
The line out was a strength for Spalding with George Douglas securing good ball along with Shields and it was Grundy at the back of the set piece who broke free to score near the posts for Mason to convert.
It was proving a mighty challenge to stop Bosworth in front of a good home crowd and further tries were chalked up in the 17th and 19th minutes to give the hosts a 15-point lead.
Spalding edged themselves back into the game.
A penalty against Bosworth who were off feet the at breakdown brought three points for Spalding.
Next up, a further penalty given away at the breakdown by Bosworth, saw a kick to the touchline for a line out.
Spalding forwards, captain Luke Turner and Macaulay Crane, were prominent with possession and thanks to a series of pick and goes, they were ten metres off the try line.
Fly half Willis Ingleby dinked the ball over Bosworth’s defensive line into the in goal area and Mason executed a brilliant touch down.
His conversion ensured Spalding had 17 points on the scoreboard.
However, either side of half time killed of fany chance Spalding had of springing a surprise.
A Bosworth scrum, five metres out from the try line, saw their forwards dominate and push Spalding’s pack backwards before scoring.
Then, in the opening minutes of the second half, a fluid move along the backs saw Bosworth’s right wing score making it a 17-point lead.
Spalding continued to battle hard but they were on the back foot for most of the second half with full back Ryan Firth making good clearance kicks under pressure.
A penalty kick to Spalding just fell short of the crossbar and determined defending saw the visitors then hold up the ball over their try line for a drop out kick.
However Bosworth were relentless in attack with their backs enjoying their possession and a further two tries were conceded.
Spalding’s tackle count was huge against a well drilled and powerful team.
Team: Tom Parker, Sam Cowell, Luke Turner, George Douglas, Macaulay Crane, Reece Callaby, Will Shields, Jack Grundy, Adam Sutclife, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Conall Mason Taylor Crowson, Ben Shields, Ryan Firth. Subs: Ryan Medlock, Callum Ferguson, George Brown.
