Belgrave RFC 18
Spalding RFC 23
It’s been a season to forget for Spalding RFC in Midlands One East – but they ended it on a positive note with their first victory in almost a year on Saturday.
Having lost all 25 of their previous league games this campaign, victory at fellow relegated side Belgrave at least saw Town avoid the embarrassment of having a winless year on their CV.
The game didn’t start too well, though, as a knock on by Spalding resulted in a scrum to Belgrave ten metres from the try line. With their pack having the upper hand, the scrum-half darted through a blindside gap and under the posts for a converted try.
Josh Broome successfully kicked a difficult penalty to get Town on the scoresheet, but within a few minutes Belgrave came storming back and their scrum-half found another gap and was in again for his second converted try.
Trailing 14-3 at the break, head coach Ben Williams and skipper Ryan Chappell made a few changes – and it had the desired effect.
With Belgrave seeing two players yellow carded and sent to the sin bin, Town hammered home their numerical advantage as Williams touched down near the corner flag for an unconverted try.
Spalding warrior Williams used his experience again moments later as, with help from his fellow forwards, he went over for his second try.
Josh Broome kicked a good conversion to put Spalding 15-14 ahead.
With fly-half Jim Williams coming into his own and Chappell enjoying the service and making notable penetrating runs, a further penalty from Broome then extended the Town lead to four points.
A second yellow card for Belgrave’s hooker 15 minutes from time saw the hosts reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the contest – and once again Spalding took advantage.
Tim Waltham was making an impact with his speed to the breakdown and with the ball won, a blind side move saw Jim Williams find a defensive gap for him to burst through and over for an unconverted try – to the cheers and joy of the many visiting supporters on the touchline.
Belgrave came back with a try from a move started by their talented full-back to set up a tense finale, but Town were able to hold on for their maiden success of the season.
To finish on a high was just reward for all the effort that the players had put in during a very difficult season.
On the day, all 18 players in the squad contributed to an outstanding team display, with spirit and determination.
Spalding RFC: Waudby, Cooke, Barrett, Templer, Piccaver, T Deurden, B Williams, H Brown, Shields, J Williams, Lane, Chappell (Captain) G Brown, Seconde, Broome, Caley, Waltham and Moore.
