LONG EATON 62
SPALDING RFC 19
Leaders Long Eaton handed Spalding RFC a heavy Midlands Three East (North) defeat on Saturday – but the severity of the scoreline was a little misleading.
Town were humbled 62-19 at West Park, as they became the latest side to fall against their table-topping hosts.
However, just one more try for the Elephants would have seen them net an unlikely bonus point.
In reality, the only feasible game play on the day was to deny the home team possession, especially with the young and talented players at their disposal.
Accordingly, a very experienced pack of forwards was selected by Spalding with Dave McClaren and Kev Hudson coming in, while out in the backs Will Shields reverted to scrum-half.
Both Willis Ingleby and Ben Shields, with their youthful enthusiasm, also featured in the backs.
Long Eaton started the match as expected, using their back row players to gain territory and then releasing the ball quickly to their backs.
The home team’s first score came as a result of a Spalding lineout going wrong, with the ball being adjudged not straight.
A scrum to the home team saw the ball go out to their left winger, who swept in to open the scoring.
Ten minutes later an attempted clearance kick was taken by Long Eaton’s left winger, who again raced in for his second try after 17 minutes of play.
Finally, Spalding’s forwards started to hold onto the ball, driving forward to set up a succession of rucks led by Pete Waudby and Pete Smith.
Even when the ball was lost, captain Richard Cooke was first in with a tackle and Jacob Greaves supporting, with Long Eaton knocking on and possession turned over repeatedly.
With half an hour on the clock, Spalding launched a succession of attacks deep in the 22, rounding off with fly-half Dan Adams crashing over and Ingleby converting.
At this stage, the home side’s frustration resulted in their loose head prop being yellow carded for dissent.
With half-time looming, Long Eaton’s frustration again boiled over as their open side flanker got involved and was yellow carded – but unfortunately Harry Brown had retaliated with a single punch and he received a straight red card.
Within a couple of minutes the home team helped themselves to a couple of tries, firstly through their scrum and then as a result of a missed tackle by Spalding for a half time lead of 24-7.
Spalding were caught cold at the restart as Long Eaton’s fly-half orchestrated a miss move and their strong running centre burst through to score. Next, a long punt downfield saw the ball bouncing free and the scoring was starting to rattle up in favour of the home team.
Shields then went off with a wrist injury, later to discover it was broken, and George Reid came on and Cooke moving to scrum-half.
Limited opportunities were coming Town’s way but they capitalised on a free kick awarded ten metres out, with Cooke taking a quick tap and Adams was again on hand, crashing the ball over the line, with Ingleby adding the conversion.
Next Long Eaton’s flanker deliberately tripped a Town player and, as he had already been yellow carded in the first half, he received a red.
The Elephants’ experienced pack started to suffer for stamina in the last 20 minutes up against a youthful home side, who finally came into their own – running in a further four tries.
However, the final five minutes was all about Spalding’s undying spirit.
They worked their way up field, led by Cooke and Adams, retaining possession and recycling as they reached Long Eaton’s five metre line.
Passionately, the forwards drove onward only to be rebuffed by stout defence.
Smith drove, then Hudson, then McClaren inching forward with every effort, but ensuring the ball was available for the next drive.
Town were nearly over, but denied. After sustained pressure lasting a good five minutes, the ball was moved left to Cooke at the breakdown, then onto Adams, George Brown and the final pass to left winger Fin Peters saw him dive in at the corner for the final act of the match.
Town – now seventh in the table – host old foes Mansfield at the Memorial Field this Saturday (2.15pm).
Spalding RFC: Jacob Greaves, Pete Waudby, Pete Smith, Kev Hudson, Dave McClaren, Kieran Bailey, Captain Richard Cooke, Harry Brown, Will Shields, Dan Adams, Fin Peters, Willis Ingleby, George Brown, Ben Shields, George Douglas. Sub: George Reid.
