BELPER RUFC 38
SPALDING RFC 18
If Spalding RFC were thinking that life would be easier following their relegation to Midlands Three East (North), they need to quickly think again.
Town were battered 38-12 at Belper in their season opener on Saturday, as their fine pre-season form eluded them.
Within the first minute Spalding had a scrum on the half way line following a miscued kick by Belper.
Young Ben Shields, making his first start at scrum-half with his brother Will sidelined with concussion, fed the scrum and immediately Belper drove back the Town forwards, turning over the ball in the process.
Breaking free down the left wing and, following a kick through, the home team were five points up from the first phase of play.
The Elephants came back strongly, with the forwards taking the initiative with their pick and drives and a kick through saw Spalding level the score.
The game was ebbing and flowing, with Spalding concentrating their play within the pack, trying to punch a way through Belper’s defence.
The home team were, however, up to the task and as soon as possession was turned over they capitalised running in two tries for a half time lead of 19-5
New first team captain Richard Cooke led the half time team talk, emphasising the need for Spalding to step up their game as the match was still winnable
However, within the first couple of minutes it was Belper who threatened with their forwards making good ground and a knock on by Spalding saw a scrum to the opposition ten metres from the try line.
The hosts secured possession and their scrum-half went over easily for a converted try.
Initial possession for Spalding was still a problem, with their scrum always under pressure.
Lineout possession was also disappointing, with Ash Piccaver struggling at the front. But Ash Anker, in the middle of the lineout, was going well.
Ball out to the backs was disappointingly limited, as Spalding continued their unproductive ploy of using the forwards to gain territory.
Centres Dan Adams and George Brown were nearly always making ground with limited possession, but Town – with perhaps two of the fastest wingers in the league in Gav Sharman and debutant Ashton Capes – starved their speedsters of the ball throughout the game
Likewise, George Douglas at full-back was taking the high ball well under pressure, but with so little ball going out to the backs, he never had the opportunity to show his pace in attack.
By contrast, the Belper full-back was having a field day in the second half as he joined in attack at will with devastating pace and set up their fifth try in the corner.
You could not fault the spirit within the Spalding ranks as they battled back and they attempted to mount a late comeback.
For a period of 20 minutes, Spalding were encamped within the home team’s half.
Exerting pressure on Belper’s try line, they were denied several scoring opportunities by a series of infringements with the referee finally issued a yellow card.
Capitalising on the man advantage, Spalding’s forwards finally got their solitary reward for their efforts with Ash Piccaver going over at pace for a converted try.
However, having just scored, Spalding unaccountably switched off at the restart and the home team ran in unopposed under the posts for the final score and a deserved win for the home team.
Town now turn their attention to Saturday’s home date with Birstall as part of their President’s weekend.
Meanwhile, Spalding’s Nomads lost 31-5 against Deepings on Saturday.
Spalding RFC: Kev Hudson, Tom Rollinson, John Barrett, Ash Piccaver, George Berry, Richard Cooke Captain, Harry Cole, Ash Ankar, Ben Shields, Ashton Capes, Dan Adams, George Brown, Gav Sharman, George Douglas, Dave Mclaren.
Midlands Two East (N) results: Belper 38 Spalding 12; Birstall 48 Sleaford 5; Buxton 22 Sileby Town 25; Grimsby 33 Rolls Royce 5; Kesteven 45 Notts Moderns 19; Long Eaton 57 Mansfield 3.
Fixtures (Sat, 3pm): Ashby v Belper; Nottingham Moderns v Long Eaton; Rolls Royce v Kesteven; Sileby Town v Grimsby; Sleaford v Buxton; Spalding v Birstall.
