Spalding RFC 5
Leicester Forest RFC 36
Spalding RFC were soundly beaten by impressive Leicester Forest in the RFU Cup at the Memorial Field on Saturday.
On paper, the clash looked to be an even contest with both teams having a similar opening in their leagues at Midlands Three level.
In reality, Spalding came up against one of the best teams they have played in recent years. They had a combination of exciting young players, some of whom are linked with the Leicester Tigers Academy, mixed with two or three experienced heads, who had recently come down from the national leagues and were influential in the game.
Town’s team was picked from a strong squad, resulting in Ash Anker, Luke Turner and Kieran Bailey only being able to make the bench.
And, with the young and exciting pairing of Ben Shields at scrum-half and Willis Ingleby at fly-half, captain Dan Adams was able to revert back to inside centre alongside George Brown.
There was also a welcome return for Taylor Crowson, who made his first start for the season on the right wing.
From the kick-off, Leicester Forest’s well drilled team clicked into action and controlled the ball.
But in the scrum, The Elephants were up for the challenge with the front row of Jacob Greaves, John Barrett and Kev Hudson giving the opposition a difficult afternoon.
Forest opened the scoring with a penalty kick after 11 minutes and followed up immediately from the restart as they quickly worked the ball up field and moved the ball along their backs for a converted try.
Despite the scoreline, Spalding’s lineout was going well, with Mark Haighton dominant with support from Tim Waltham in retaining their possession.
Meanwhile at the breakdown area, there was a fierce battle all afternoon between both sides as Town counter rucked successfully throughout.
But after 25 minutes the visitors opened up Spalding’s defence with a combination of sharp running and excellent passing to go 15 points up.
Just before half-time Haighton sustained a leg injury while stretching in a tackle and was replaced by Anker. Forest pinned Spalding back on their try line and stout defence was finally broken for their third converted try.
In effect, this score took the game away from Spalding with the point advantage increasing to 22.
For the opening 20 minutes of the second half, Spalding held territorial advantage with Luke Turner – on for Richard Grew – making an immediate impact in the scrum as the hosts turned over possession and camped themselves within Forest’s 22.
Forest then suffered a yellow card as the penalty count against them stacked up. However the visitors’ defence held firm with one man short.
Skipper Adams was a threat with his direct running through the middle, while flanker Jason Steel was prominent with his strong runs and Harry Sharman was encouraging his forwards, but the final gap in Forest’s defence never appeared.
In fact, the next score went to Forest as they capitalised on a clear knock-on being missed by the referee, allowing them a free run under the posts.
The game was now opening up and, finally, Gav Sharman was able to find room to show his pace on the left wing as he rounded Forest’s defence for Spalding’s only score.
With the final whistle due Leicester, full of running, passed along the backs for their fifth converted try.
Spalding RFC: Jacob Greaves, John Barrett, Kev Hudson, Mark Haighton, Tim Waltham, Richard Grew, Jason Steels, Harry Sharman, Ben Shields, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Dan Adams (captain), George Brown, Taylor Crowson, Connal Mason. Subs: Ash Anker, Kieran Bailey, Luke Turner.
Saturday: Spalding v Buxton (3pm).
