Spalding RFC 22
Sleaford RFC 7
Spalding RFC secured a bonus-point victory over new-look rivals Sleaford on Saturday to climb back up to fifth place in Midlands Three East (North).
Town were hot favourites for the Memorial Field clash after a walloping NLD Cup win over their Lincolnshire rivals back in October, but Sleaford did do the double over them last season.
However, Sleaford turned up with a completely fresh team who, from the kick-off, were determined to put one over the Elephants despite their lowly league placing.
They soon showed they were well organised, had a solid scrum and a good lineout – all leading to them benefiting from plenty of possession throughout the match.
Sleaford indeed started the brighter and tested Spalding’s resilience, especially at the breakdown.
Showing skills, albeit undetected by the referee, at slowing the ball down and after ten minutes of play these tactics drew frustration from Spalding, with Harry Cole being yellow carded.
Time and again, Town’s defence needed to be solid as they stood their ground well with effective tackling as Ash Anker came to the fore.
The backs were also being tested, with Tom Wilson showing up well at outside centre.
After nearly half-an-hour, Spalding made their first major impact. Ash Piccaver burst through the middle at speed, evading the early Sleaford tackles with several changes of direction, but was finally hauled down ten metres from the line.
The ball was recycled by scrum half Will Shields and captain Dan Adams burst through to open the scoring with an unconverted try.
The battle for possession continued to be fairly even, but when an opportunity arose Town were demonstrating a greater try line threat.
With Sleaford conceding a penalty, the hosts kicked for touch. The lineout was working well, with Mark Haighton dominating at the front of a five-man line and Cole taking the ball at pace before crashing through the defence, turning on the line and touching down – only for the referee to have judged that ball was held up.
With half-time imminent, Spalding counter-attacked with the ball and moved out wide, with Willis Ingleby outstripping Sleaford’s defence.
With the last defender closing, a brilliantly executed pass back inside to Gav Sharman and he was over the try line for a lead of ten points.
Early in the second half, the away side came back at Spalding, mainly through their forwards, but Luke Turner and George Berry – in particular – were standing firm and not giving an inch.
Ten minutes in and Town won a turnover. From nowhere, Adams broke through the middle and outpaced the Sleaford defence from 40 metres.
And, with Ingleby converting, there was now daylight between the two teams.
Prop Kev Hudson then drove towards the try line and, with his outstretched hand, touched the ball down.
Once again, however, the referee disallowed the try, judging the ball to have been knocked on, to the disbelief of most.
Spalding were now attempting to spread the ball out wide, but with runners not coming from deep and Sleaford closing down effectively, the ball was rarely finding either winger.
Finally, a looping pass did reach Sharman and with a sidestep his pace took him around his opposing winger and in for his second try.
Sleaford kept battling away and they were rewarded in the final minutes with a converted try.
This Saturday sees Spalding in home action again, with ninth-placed Tupton the visitors (2.15pm).
Spalding RFC: Hudson, Barrett, Turner, Haighton, Piccaver, Berry, Cole, Ash Anker, Shields, Ingleby, B Shields, Adams, Wilson, G Sharman, Mason. Subs: McHugh, Williams, Greaves.
- Before the match, a minute of silence was held in memory of Spalding RFC’s Justin Barker, who was an under-6 coach and Senior Nomads player for the club.
