This was Spalding’s last home league game of the season against rivals Lincoln and was also a double header as an NLD Plate semi final.
Back in December Spalding sprung a surprise up at Lincoln coming away with a 33-24 win which helped Spalding climb towards the top end of the league, a position they have managed to maintain, so plenty to play for.
Last week Spalding had been unable to field a front row and conceded the away game but Tom Parker, Elliot Humphreys and Connor Broome were back along with locks Ash Anker and Miguel Da Silva both able to cover the front row.
In the backs there was a big welcome for Adam Foster on the right wing making his debut.
Visitors kicked off but within the first minute there was very nearly a sensational start with full back Charlie Beecham make an excellent break through Lincoln’s defence before being tackled ten metres short of the try line.
A few minutes later a kick through by Willis Ingleby saw inside centre Sam Booth beat Lincoln’s defenders to touch down and with Ingleby converting Spalding were seven points up.
Lincoln were fielding a bulkier and taller set of forwards and they were soon employing them with carries through the middle .
Spalding’s valiant defence was unable to stop their progress and in the tenth minute the visitors were over the try line for their first converted try.
For the following 20 minutes the pressure on Spalding continued with driving carries down the middle by the Lincoln forwards with Spalding’s back row of Will Shields, Ryan Firth back after injury and Jack Grundy making tackle after tackle.
But Lincoln’s strong and forceful carries brought rewards with two converted tries giving them a 21-7 lead.
In contrast Spalding’s strength and pace was out in the backs and a flowing move instigated by scrum half Ben Shields saw inside centre Booth break through Lincoln’s defence for his second try scored out wide.
Lincoln responded with the last play of the first half with a driving maul from lineout possession, edging infield and over the try line for a 28-12 lead.
Spalding now faced a big challenge to get back into the game but steadily they were gaining more possession, spreading it wide to wingers Gav Sharman and Ollie Sorrell who had replaced Foster having taken a heavy knock in a tackle.
Mounting pressure by Spalding saw one or two spats between the players and Lincoln’s number eight and outside centre Jack Bowser both saw yellow cards.
Findlay Roy came off the bench replacing Da Silva and with Lincoln tiring, lock Anker was making penetrating carries.
With space being created Ingleby made a superb break covering nearly half the pitch and as Lincoln’s defence closed a good offload to Bowser saw him under the posts for a converted try.
Spalding were on the charge and lock Anker with his power drove over for Spalding’s fourth try to leave Lincoln hanging onto a 28-24 lead.
But it was not long before Beecham looked to seal a Spalding comeback with a break from inside his own half outpacing Lincoln’s defenders and with an Ingleby conversion, Spalding grabbed the lead 31-28 with just a few minutes remaining.
Crucially from the restart Spalding knocked on inside their 22 giving Lincoln scrum possession.
Lincoln’s number eight, drove forward before the ball was spread wide to score to put Lincoln back in front with two minutes remaining and boosted by an excellent conversion from the touchline.
There was an immediate response for the restart as Lincoln looked with their carries to edge away from their five metre line.
Anker, with his tackle, stripped the ball and went to set up a ruck, laying the ball back on the ground for Spalding possession, only to find the referee blowing his whistle to penalise him.
Lincoln kicked the ball dead to claim victory.
For Spalding’s final game they travel to league leaders Nottingham University next Saturday.
Team: Tom Parker, Elliot Humphreys, Connor Broome, Ash Anker, Miguel Da Silva, Will Shields, Ryan Firth, Jack Grundy, Ben Shields, Willis Ingleby, Gave Sharman, Sam Booth, Jack Bowser, Adam Foster, Charlie Beecham. Subs: Ben Bettinson, Cameron Roy, Ollie Sorrell.
- Former Spalding player Will Wand, who is now a member of Leicester Tigers, has been voted Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month for March.
Wand was named Player of the Match in Leicester’s impressive victory over Gloucester Rugby in the Slater Cup at Villa Park, with a first-minute try setting the tone for a vital away win for the Tigers in Round 12.
Pictures by Adrian Smith.
