Revenge proved to be golden for Spalding Seconds in their final match of the NLD Merit League Two East season.
They went into the match as leaders, just ahead of visitors Horncastle, but having lost the reverse fixture 50-19. However, the Elephants rose to the task and romped to a 48-10 victory to clinch the league title.
Both teams’ defensive lines were highly organised, cutting down space and challenging at every breakdown.
At the scrums both packs were fairly equal but Spalding’s front row of Charlie Goodwin, Tom Dunbar and Connor Broome provided a good solid platform, while Will Pite and Alex Whelan secured good clean ball at the lineout.
Spalding broke the stalemate midway through the first half when fly half Henry Duce sliced through the Horncastle backs for a try, converted by Bailey Hudson.
The next quarter proved to be decisive as Spalding’s fluid play turned the game firmly their way with four tries.
Lock Yogi Schrauwers burst through several tackles and outpaced the defence for a converted try, before opening up the defence to score between the posts for another seven points.
Aaron Brundle’s pace, strength and good running saw him score two more to open a 31-0 lead.
Despite a flurry of changes at the interval, Spalding maintained their edge and the game was lit up by a superb converted try from hooker Dunbar.
Ash Ankar then evaded a clutch of tackles before unloading for Richard Start to sprint for the try line and put Spalding 41 points to the good.
Horncastle kept battling and were rewarded with two well-worked tries before the hosts claimed their eighth try of the afternoon through Ben Bettinson.
Spalding squad: Broome, Anker, Parker, Dunbar, Crane, Whelan, Pite, Medlock, Ferguson, Duce, Hudson, Allen, Brundle, Bettinson, Holland, Monaghan, Bart, Hall, Start, Goodwin, Daft, Canham, Davis, Schrauwers, Batterbee, King.
* Spalding u14s lifted the NLD Vase with a stunning 38-5 victory over West Bridgford at Sleaford.
Try scorers were Finn Oliver 2, Justin Cormican 2, Daniel Christie and Issac Bowman with four conversion from Eddie Roffe.
