Spalding RFC were beaten 20-17 by Midlands Two East (North) relegation rivals Melbourne on Saturday – just hours after the death of chairman Geof Nichols.
Town, who had won four home games on the bounce, had led 12-6 at half time thanks to tries from Harry Sharman and Taylor Crowson.
Sharman added another try in the second period, but they were outgunned by a Melbourne side that are now ten points clear of them in the table.
The result was massively overshadowed by the death of club stalwart Nichols, however.
Chairman of Town for more than 20 years, he passed away on Friday morning after an 18-month battle with leukaemia. He was 72.
A club statement from Town read: “It is with deep sadness that Spalding Rugby Football Club must report the passing away of their Chairman of over 20 years, Geof Nichols.
“Geof had been fighting a courageous battle against illness for the past 18 months.
“During that time Geof’s drive and enthusiasm to lead the club never diminished. We will be forever indebted to Geof for his remarkably long and consistent period of dedication to Spalding Rugby Club.
“All through our very successful years when the club were playing National League Rugby and winning the NLD Cup on a regular basis, and through more difficult times with relegation, Geof has been a dependable and guiding influence.
“He always realised that the Rugby Club needed a combination of good governance and good fun. Geof will be greatly missed by club members and the wider rugby family.”
A match report from Saturday and a tribute to the great Geof Nichols will follow.
Saturday’s results
Midlands Two East (N): Ashbourne 26 Mansfield 5; Bakewell Mannerians 9 Dronfield 17; Southwell 39 Nottingham Casuals 7; Spalding 17 Melbourne 20; Stamford 8 Market Bosworth 32; West Bridgford 44 Coalville 12.
