Stewart and Lloyds 30 Spalding 30.
An incredible comeback saw Spalding chalk up their third draw in six Counties One Midlands East (South) League matches.
It all looked over when the hosts led by 14 points but the Elephants were not to be beaten and stormed back in the last three minutes to share the spoils.
A superb chip over Spalding’s defence had seen the home outside centre run on to score a converted try to seemingly put the game beyond reach.
However, from the restart, Henry Duce’s kick was high and deep and the catch was fumbled and spilled forward, giving Spalding possession at the scrum. The forwards took control with strong carries by captain Luke Turner and Lachlan Summers as the Corby team desperately defended their try line. They conceded three penalties in short time and from the last quick thinking by Jack Patrick saw him take a tap penalty and dive over the try line. A simple conversion by Ryan Firth meant an extraordinary comeback was possible with just three minutes remaining.
All the home side had to do was keep Spalding pinned down in their 22 to secure victory but Elephants’ lock George Douglas took a high catch under pressure to gain some yards and then set up a ruck. Centres Firth and Patrick used their pace to gain more territory and then the forwards took over with Fergus McKerracher and Sam Cowell making ground with pick and goes. Jordan Templer drove forward but the home defence held and pushed him wide. However, that allowed winger Sam Christie, on for Ben Shields, to twist his way to the try line to score out wide.
Firth stepped forward and kept up his perfect kick record to calmly slot the ball between the posts to level the scores on the stroke of full-time.
The first half had been a tight contest with both teams battling for control. Spalding edged the first quarter and led from a penalty. The home team replied with two tries and were 10-6 to the good at half-time after another Spalding penalty.
Shortly after the restart Conall Mason off the bench in the backs gifted the hosts with a stray back pass for a try.
Penalty kicks were exchanged before Duce cut a good angle to score by the posts ahead of the late drama.
Spalding: Cowell, Templer, Turner, Douglas, McKerracher, Worth, W Shields, Summers, Wraith, Duce, B Shields, Firth, Patrick, Sharman. Subs: Canham, Mason, Christie.
