Spalding RFC’s Nomads picked up a highly entertaining 20-15 win over Biggleswade at the Memorial Field on Saturday.
On a sticky pitch, the first half was a slow burner with both teams finding the conditions under foot difficult, especially staying on their feet at the breakdown. It was, therefore, no surprise to find both sets of forwards dominating the game.
The Nomads front row of Jacob Greaves, Matt Waine and Charlie Boothby put in a sterling effort and Julian Davis at the base of the scrum was holding the pack together providing young Ben
Shields, at scrum-half, good ball. And, with fly-half Irmantas Klimas returning after a long absence, Spalding had good control as the backs steadily started to come into their own.
With 20 minutes on the clock Harry Waine, centre, burst down the right wing but was tackled just five metres short of the try line.
Possession was retained as a ruck was established. Harry Cole, in support, picked and drove for the line to secure the opening try – and the only score of the first period.
Centre George Berry, who had shown his pace and strength in the first half, was soon taking the ball deep into Biggleswade’s half with the ball finally finding its way to left winger Scott Howlett, who was bundled into touch.
The lineout ball was lost by the visitors and an infringement resulted in a penalty being awarded ten metres out. Waine, with a quickly taken tapped penalty, caught the defence off guard and was over the line for an unconverted try.
Within five minutes Ben Shields, with a superb break, was caught just a few metres from the line, but was able to offload for Waine to score his second try of the day.
Rob Elsey, a second-half substitute in the forwards, soon showed his worth in the lineout with an excellent steal while full-back Mark Elsey was having to make some excellent relieving kicks downfield as Biggleswade mounted a comeback.
Indeed, from a lineout and a driving maul they scored in the corner.
Shields was then in the spotlight again. Having received quick ball from a breakdown, he ran in unchallenged to score.
However perhaps the best try of the game fell to Biggleswade, with their outside centre twisting and turning to beat beat five Nomads players within a few yards. Showing great with pace, he sped down the wing to score by the corner flag.
With only a couple of minutes remaining the visitors could not manage one final flourish and Spalding secured the win.
Spalding Nomads: Jacob Greaves, Matt Waine, Charlie Boothby, James Osborne, Jason Miller, Harry Cole, Jason Steels, Captain, Julian Davis, Ben Shields, Irmantas Klimas, Scott Howlett, Harry Wain, George Berry, Richard Cooke, Mark Elsey. Subs Rob Elsey, Justin Cole, Kev Hudson and John Barrett.
