KESTEVEN 24
SPALDING RFC 5
Spalding RFC failed to build on the momentum generated by two Midlands Three East (North) home wins on the spin as Kesteven cruised to a 24-5 derby victory on Saturday.
The in-form Gav Sharman did run in another try for Town, but they were comfortably second best at Woodnook.
Spalding were outplayed by a team who executed a far better game plan and, in their fly-half, had the outstanding player on the day. His forceful running brought him two tries, while his passing skills and tactical kicking ability shone through.
By contrast, Town’s focus on using their forwards brought little reward.
The early exchanges were fairly even with both team’s trying to establish superiority. However, a quick pass from the tackle area by Kesteven’s scrum-half gave their centre an opportunity to open the scoring as he broke through the middle for an unconverted try after seven minutes.
The battle up front continued, with the Elephants perhaps having a slight upper hand in the scrums.
But Kesteven’s forwards were setting the ball up far better at the tackle area and, with their scrum-half, fly-half axis working well, their backs were getting far more opportunities, testing Spalding’s backs defence.
Centres Dan Adams and Tom Wilson were pressing well and if a tackle was missed, full-back George Douglas was on hand to save the day
With Spalding’s back row forwards defending narrowly, Kesteven’s fly-half spotted a defensive weakness and ran strongly, breaking a couple of desperate tackles for a converted try.
And, with 23 minutes on the clock, a lead of 12 points had been established by the hosts.
It got worse for Town when Jason Steels, on a typically forceful break, suffered a pulled quad and was replaced by Harry Brown at number eight.
On the right wing, Ashton Capes then had a good run and was only stopped by a last man tackle. But there was little other threat from Spalding as they continued to use their forwards to try to gain territory, ignoring tactical kicking for field position
The second half started a little more brightly for Spalding, with Sharman – at long last – receiving the ball in space. He duly demonstrated his scoring ability, running in an unconverted try in the corner.
This lifted the team and, for the next 15 minutes, Town went searching for the next score with George Berry, Ash Piccaver and Brown making good breaks.
Too often, though, there were little or no supporting players – resulting in a poorly executed offload or the ball being lost in the tackle.
More injury woe followed with Luke Turner going off for a while with an ankle injury and George Douglas having to retire with a dead leg. Kieran Bailey came off the substitute’s bench on both occasions
With ten minutes left Kesteven killed off any hope Spalding had of launching a comeback, with their star fly-half bursting through the middle again for a converted try.
Kesteven then went for their fourth try and the bonus point in the final minutes – and duly delivered.
Again, it was their fly-half demonstrating his range of skills with a well-executed kick behind Spalding’s defence for the home right winger to secure an extra bonus point.
This Saturday sees Town make the trip to Buxton (3pm), who have only won one of their three games so far this season.
Spalding RFC: George Freeman, John Barrett, Kev Hudson, Luke Turner, George Berry, Ash Anker, Ash Piccaver, Jason Steels, Richard Cooke, Will Shields, Gav Sharman, Dan Adams, Tom Wilson, Ashton Capes, George Douglas. Subs used: Kieran Bailey, George Reid and Harry Brown.
Saturday’s results: Buxton 39 Belper 11; Grimsby 18 Ashby 15; Kesteven 24 Spalding 5; Long Eaton 46 Sleaford 0; Mansfield 19 Sileby Town 5; Notts Moderns 15 Rolls Royce 17.
