Vipers 12
Spalding 12
A new Midland Counties One East (South) League started with two points for Spalding at Leicester side Vipers.
Ollie Machin made his senior debut on the wing and centre Ryan Firth returned from his travels in Asia, with captain Luke Turner on the bench.
Vipers were quickly on the front foot using their forwards effectively to gain territory but Spalding’s pack were up for the challenge as they defended stoutly and counter attacked with good carries from No.8 George Brown and Fergus McKerracher.
Conall Mason’s penalty kick ricocheted off an upright as both teams gained good territory with kicks to touch.
Spalding lineout jumpers George Douglas and Will Shields struggled to secure possession but what the visiting forwards were particularly good at was their driving pick-and-goes.
After 25 minutes the Elephants established themselves deep inside Vipers’ 22 and with control and patience were rewarded with the opening try from prop Sam Cowell between the posts. A simple conversion by Mason put his side seven points up.
Vipers responded with a score out wide and a converted try just before half-time gave them a 12-7 advantage.
Turner replaced Tom Parker in the front row at the break and within a minute of the kick off Vipers lost a player to a yellow card for a high tackle.
However, the hosts kept pressing and a penalty for not rolling away at the breakdown saw a penalty kick rebound of an upright with a clearance kick by Spalding.
With the arrival of Turner, Spalding’s scrum began to turn the tables on Vipers and the forwards led the way with good carries from Zokas Raimondas and Turner.
The pick-and-goes again established a position nearly on the try line, with Cowell going over for his second try. Mason’s difficult conversion kick sailed wide.
With the scores level, the game was there to be won and Spalding stepped up, although their structure in the backs seem to fall apart. They did have two difficult but kickable penalty kicks in the last ten minutes but both sailed just wide of the uprights.
Tension again mounted as Vipers also had a penalty kick in the last minute, which also sailed wide.
Spalding came away with two hard fought points for the draw and were reasonably satisfied with their effort. During the week in training they will be working on their lineout drills and more precise structure and passing within the backs as both Spalding wingers were rarely involved.
They are away again on Saturday, but only a short distance down the A151 for a derby against Bourne.
Spalding: Sam Cowell, Jordan Templer, Tom Parker, Zokas Raimondas, George Douglas, Fergus McKerracher, Will Shields, George Brown, Ben Shields, Willis Ingleby, Ollie Machin, Conall Mason, Ryan Firth, Gav Sharman, Jack Patrick. Subs: Luke Turner, Fraser Canham, Adam Sutcliffe.
