Spalding RFC 58
Buxton RFC 17
Spalding RFC ensured that it was a President’s Weekend to remember at the Memorial Field with a crushing bonus-point victory over Buxton on Saturday.
Town bounced back from the disappointment of losing in the RFU Cup the previous weekend to rack up their second maximum haul of the Midlands Three East (North) season – and move up to third place in the process.
There was a sizeable crowd of 246 watching the game, with the home players determined top put on a show.
Once again, Elephants coach George Reid was able to select a strong team with Harry Brown returning at lock and Will Shields in at scrum half, with Ben Shields moving to the wing.
The absence of centre George Brown recovering from a knock from last week’s match saw Conall Mason retaining his place in the team with Adam McHugh in at full-back.
Buxton were not helped with their arrival by the coach being delayed – resulting in kick-off being put back to 3.15pm and straight from the kick-off Spalding showed they were going to make life uncomfortable for the visitors with the forwards immediately on the rampage.
Pace, strength and excellent support play soon brought a try for Ash Anker after ten minutes.
Within minutes of the restart the forwards again stormed forward with, initially Tim Waltham breaking. An excellent offload saw Harry Brown continue the move, with
Jason Steels and Anker in support and the final offload saw Waltham over the line.
Both sets of scrums were solid, but Spalding always seemed to have the upper edge with Luke Turner in the front row adding strength and power.
However, Buxton – on a rare period of possession – caught Town napping with a converted try to close to within three points.
A recent feature this season has been Spalding’s effectiveness at the breakdown. Not only are they arriving early but also counter rucking, disrupting the opposition ball or benefiting from a turnover ball.
From a ruck on Buxton’s 22, scrum-half Will Shields passed out to Brown, taking the ball at pace, cut back inside and scored under the posts.
Lineout variations were working well for the Elephants – and from a penalty Spalding kicked to touch ten metres out – Anker secured the ball and a driving maul was set up.
With Harry Sharman controlling at the back, the try line was crossed, securing a try bonus point before half time.
Within six minutes of the restart Spalding smashed and grabbed three tries to leave Buxton in disarray.
That spree was started by hooker John Barrett from ten metres out.
Then the backs started to get in on the act, creating space on the left as the ball was moved quickly along to outside centre Mason. Taking the ball at pace and with a two-on-one advantage, a dummy pass and a cut back inside saw him over the try line.
A change then saw Aaron Coupe came off the bench to replace Kev Hudson in the front row, while the backs were now moving the ball around with freedom.
Gav Sharman was next to benefit as he outpaced Buxton’s struggling defence for his first try of the afternoon.
With Spalding’s concentration switching off, Buxton’s outside centre evaded three attempted tackles to score.
Typically, Town responded and pressed upfield with Kieran Bailey on for Waltham.
The away side turned over the ball, but as Gav Sharman tackled he suddenly broke free with the ball and outpaced the defence from 20 metres to score.
Minutes later he again found room out on the left wing and left the away defence trailing in his wake with his hat-trick try.
Spalding’s final try was another classic driving maul from a lineout with Anker claiming his second score of the afternoon.
Again the Elephants eased off and Buxton scored the last try, but it failed to tarnish what was a great day for the club.
Town President George Sly was delighted by the win and said: “It was a highly enjoyable afternoon of rugby with a great win for the firsts and also good to watch the Nomads against Oakham, especially with so many supporters and friends around.”
Next up for the Elephants is a trip to fellow Lincolnshire side Kesteven on Saturday (3pm).
They have also won two of their three games so far this season.
Spalding RFC: Kev Hudson, John Barrett, Luke Turner, Harry Brown, Tim Waltham, Ash Anker, Jason Steels, Harry Sharman, Will Shields, Wills Ingleby, Ben Shields, Dan Adams, Conall Mason, Gav Sharman, Adam McHugh. Subs: Kieran Bailey, and Aaron Coupe.
