It had been many, many years since Spalding played Lincoln in the league.
The last occasion they clashed was in the Lincs Cup at home when, in driving rain, Lincoln won with a solitary penalty three minutes from the end.
However, with Spalding on a roll with an undefeated league run of eight games and a top three position within their reach for Christmas, there was a level of expectation before kick off, despite the normal starting front row of Broome, Rollinson and Turner unavailable.
The opening ten minutes saw Lincoln pin Spalding back deep in their half and it was soon evident that the home teams heavy pack, especially the front row was going to be a mighty challenge.
In the first scrum, Spalding’s front row of Tom Parker, Elliot Humphreys and Ash Anker came under immediate pressure.
Lincoln, with a carry, drove towards the try line, but determined defence and a superb jackal penalty to Spalding, saw a relieving kick to touch.
From the lineout returning scrum half Adam Sutcliffe launched the backs, fullback Ollie Machin sliced through, kicked ahead with right wing Charlie Beecham chasing hard, a kind bounce of the ball and Beecham sailed over the try line to open the scoring after ten minutes.
This was the first time Spalding had entered Lincoln’s half and was a big shock to the home team.
Lincoln responded immediately, pressurising deep in Spalding’s half and a penalty given away for not releasing in the tackle saw a successful penalty and three points back for the home side.
However Spalding’s ace was their backs, who were going to make the difference on the day and fly half Willis Ingelby with pace and deception cut through, kicked over the remaining defence and Machin charged through to touch down with Beecham converting.
The stand out move of the afternoon, after 25 minutes, saw a flowing counterattack initiated by inside centre Sam Booth, releasing left wing Gav Sharman, who with pace, gained yardage and as Lincoln’s defence bore down passed back to the supporting Ingleby who offloaded to Jack Lambe running clear and under the posts for a converted try.
Before half time Spalding were undone twice. First Lincoln’s outside centre cut back inside evading three or four tackles at pace for a converted try. Then a succession of scrums with Lincoln driving Spalding backwards and a drive for the try line brought their third try and with a simple conversion it was half time and Spalding narrowly in the lead by two points.
During the second half Spalding changed their lineout tactics to a four man lineout using George Douglas to secure possession and the half backs bringing Lambe and Jack Grundy onto the crash ball and it was Spalding’s turn to mount continuous pressure, which brought about two yellow cards, one for Lincoln and for lock Alex Worth.
A quick tap and go by Spalding, caught out Lincoln’s static defence and centre Jack Patrick nipped over the try line and with a good Henry Duce conversion, on replacing Beecham, eased ahead.
Spalding had a 19-point lead with 15 minutes remaining, but that did not stop them spreading the ball wide along the back, tiring out the heavier Lincoln forwards and a second yellow card for Lincoln’s best forward meant they were down to 14 players.
Spalding took advantage spreading the ball wide along the backs and Patrick cut back inside for his second try and with another Duce conversion, Spalding were just about home and dry.
The home team made one last push through the familiar route of a succession of scrums, which final brought them a converted try and with the final whistle blown Spalding had had a very impressive performance given Lincoln’s powerful scrum.
Recently converted Ryan Firth from the backs to flanker had a very impressive game, with his aggression in the tackle and pace around the field and it was also good to see the hardworking lock Jordan Templer back.
The game was played all afternoon in foggy conditions, floodlights on and poor visibility, but the hard fought win became even more important on learning that Bourne had narrowly lost away to Market Rasen and Louth, elevating Spalding to third in the league.
Team: Tom Parker, Elliot Humphreys, Ash Anker, Jordan Templer, James Douglas, Jack Lambe, Ryan Firth, Jack Grundy, Adam Sutcliffe, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Sam Booth, Jack Patrick, Charlie Beecham, Ollie Machin. Subs: Alex Worth, Henry Duce, Alexander Creake.
