Spalding RFC 57
Bakewell Mannerians 8
Spalding RFC completed 2015 with their biggest win of the year at they thrashed Midlands Two East (North) basement boys Bakewell 57-8 at the Memorial Field.
Town ran in nine tries as they wrapped up a bonus-point success and secured their first back-to-back league wins of the campaign.
Harry Harrison stole the show with four scores, while Josh Broome, Harry Brown (2), the returning Ash Anker and George Douglas also got in on the act.
The opener came six minutes into the game when Harrison found space on the left wing and left his opposite number for dead to score under the posts – allowing fly-half James West an easy conversion.
Ten minutes later it was the turn of right winger Douglas to run in an unconverted try in the corner.
To their credit, Bakewell responded quickly and positively. Again using their forwards they drove towards the Spalding line and their lock forward was over for their first score.
For the next 20 there was a good contest between the teams, with scrums fairly even and number eight Brown, on occasions, required to rescue situations. First phase possession at the lineout was going Spalding’s way, though, with skipper Sam Cooke overcoming the wind with his throwing and Jordan Templer demonstrating how good a lineout jumper he has become.
Town led 12-5 at half time, but that was soon cut by a Bakewell penalty early in the second period.
It was to be as close as the two sides would be, though.
It was Harrison who opened up and tore apart Bakewell’s defence with the first of his three second-half tries, again exploiting the space given to him. West again converted.
Spalding’s forwards having battled away, then got in on the act with Brown showing pace and strength to go through Bakewell’s forwards to secure a bonus point for four team tries.
The most popular try of the day then saw Anker, back from a lengthy lay-off, run through a gap and race 20 yards to the line. West’s conversion made it 31-8.
Not done there, Town were over again when Harrison grabbed his third after breaking from a scrum.
Try number seven saw Brown again sliced through Bakewell’s defence, as Town continued to show great speed, determination, organisation and confidence.
Harrison was back in the action with his fourth try late on, before sub Broome received the final pass of the match to score under the posts – with West converting for the seventh time.
It was the perfect way for Town to go into their mini-break, with their next game being at leaders Dronfield on January 9 (2pm).
Town: Pete Waudby, Sam Cooke, Sam Cowell, Mikey Watts, Jordan Templer, Ash Anker, Harry Sharman, Harry Brown, Will Shields, James West, Harry Harrison, Sion Williams, George Brown, George Douglas, Adam McHugh Subs: Kier Moore, Tim Waltham and Josh Broome.
