If Spalding were to start moving up the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) league from their current mid table position the trip over to Peterborough Lions lying one from bottom of the league would be a must win game.
In the absence of captain Luke Turner, Tomas Parker had been promoted up from the Seconds to start in the front row with Willis Ingleby captain.
The opening 15 minutes on a dull day, reflected the weather, being rather scrappy with no team settling into a rhythm.
Indeed, both teams were rather ineffective in open play with the scrums contest being fairly even and whilst George Douglas and Will Shields in the line-outs were retaining possession, Lions were also retaining their possession.
The afternoon was sparked into life by the Spalding backs as the ball was whipped out from the breakdown by scrum half Jim Wraith, centres Ryan Firth and Jack Patrick created space out wide and a pass to winger Gav Sharman gave him room to outpace the Lions defence for the opening try.
Within two minutes Lions had pulled back three points with a penalty kick, and although Spalding encamped themselves on the home try line with Lachlan Summers and Sam Cowell driving for the line, there was no further score in the first half.
Conall Mason replaced Jack Patrick during the break.
The opening ten minutes of the second half brought reward for the home team.
First a simple penalty kick in front of the posts edged them in front.
Spalding responded from the restart using pick and goes in the forwards with Fergus McKerracher standing out, but as the ball was passed along the backs, the Lions’ outside centre made an interception, running the length of the pitch to score.
With a simple conversion, Lions had suddenly built an eight-point lead.
Coaches Ali Sharp and Phil Trotman made instant changes using the strength on the bench, with Zodas Raimondas replaced in the scrum by Jordan Templer and Jack Asplen replacing Ryan Firth.
Spalding now went hunting.
Ben Shields, on the right wing, had a couple of decent runs but it was the forwards who brought Spalding back into the game with hooker Tom Rollinson finding Douglas towards the back of a lineout.
Possession secured and a series of drives brought its reward when Lachlan Summers squeezed over.
Momentum was now with Spalding, a penalty kick by Mason just sailed wide but Spalding were creating opportunities out wide and it was winger Sharman who stole in for his second try of the afternoon.
Spalding now had a two-point advantage with eight minutes remaining on the clock.
Then drama, with time up Spalding conceded a penalty 40 yards out wide on the left and Lions confidently elected for their excellent fly half to kick for goal to secure for Lions a home win.
The kick went wide and short.
Mason caught the ball and kicked it out for the full time whistle to be blown.
A deserved but unconvincing win for Spalding, who will need to sharpen up for next week’s home game against third place Towcestrians.
Team: Sam Cowell, Tom Rollinson, Tomas Parker, Zokas Raimondas, George Douglas, Will Shields, Fergus McKerracher, Lachlan Summers, Jim Wraith, Willis Ingleby, Ben Shields, Ryan Firth, Jack Patrick, Gav Sharman and Harry Brett. Subs: Jack Asplen, Jordan Templer, and Conall Mason.
Pictures by Adrian Smith.
