Spalding RFC 17
Melbourne RFC 20
On a day overshadowed by the death of respected chairman Geof Nichols, Spalding RFC slipped to a potentially costly 20-17 defeat against Midlands Town East (North) relegation rivals Melbourne on Saturday.
A minute of silence was held as mark of respect to Town’s late chairman (see story, above) – and sadly the Elephants couldn’t mark the occasion with a win.
Tries from Harry Sharman and Taylor Crowson saw Spalding lead 12-6 at half time, but they ended up having to settle for a bonus-point defeat, thanks to a late second try from Sharman.
Melbourne, who came into the game in ninth place, immediately started the game on the front foot, showing more energy and determination than the hosts.
After seven minutes Spalding infringed at the breakdown and the penalty from Melbourne’s fly-half established an early lead.
Both sets of forwards were trying to establish dominance – prompting Town coach Bruno Figueiredo to make an early tactical decision to introduce Sharman in place of Jordan Templer.
However, former skipper Sharman was only on the pitch for a few minutes before the referee showed a yellow card to both him and Melbourne’s number six.
The visitors stepped up and dominated territory for the next 15 minutes, with Spalding being caught several times offside at the ruck. Finally the referee lost patience when Harry Brown was clearly offside at the side at another ruck, whilst defending the try line and a further yellow card followed and the penalty kick increased the visitors’ lead.
At long last, Spalding then began moving the ball away from the forwards with Will Shields, scrum half, starting to link with Crowson at fly-half, who showed that he had an eye for an opening.
With a couple of good side steps and with determination, Crowson stretched out as a tackle came in to open Spalding’s scoring – with Josh Broome converting.
Spalding continued to keep the pressure on and, after a couple of lineout wins, driving mauls and pick and goes around the rucks, Sharman used his strength to spot an opening and crash over in the corner for an unconverted try.
At just 12-6 up at the break, Town had wasted the wind advantage in the first period.
However, their tactics after the break were to keep the ball in hand to allow centres Sion Williams and Kieran Lake to carry the ball forward, bringing wingers Harry Harrison and Tom Winch into the game.
The visitors continued to kick for territory and, half way through the second half, they secured victory with a two-try spell. Firstly, their powerful centre broke a couple of defensive tackles on the 22 metre line and went under the posts for a converted try.
Ten minutes later they moved the ball along their backs, exposing Town’s lack of defensive numbers for another converted score.
With only a couple of minutes left Spalding were back up field for one last rally.
A penalty was awarded to the hosts quick thinking by Sharman saw him take a tapped penalty before going over for the final score of the game before the defence was ready.
Harrison missed the conversion, but it wouldn’t have stopped Town slipping to a loss that ended their run of four home league wins on the spin.
Spalding RFC: Mikey Watts, Sam Cooke (captain), Kier Moore, Jordan Templer, Ash Piccaver, Ash Anker, Tim Waltham, Harry Brown, Will Shields, Taylor Crowson, Tom Winch, Sion Williams, Kieran Lake, Harry Harrison and Josh Broome. Subs: Harry Sharman, Sam Cowell and Adam McHugh.
Ashbourne v Spalding (2pm).
